Matt Dixon leads Mustangs in rout of Flucos in Route 53 Showdown

Monticello came into their Homecoming game fired up, and they delivered something for the school to remember.

Stars of the game

• Matt Dixon - tied a school record with five touchdown passes in one game

• Selorm Kartey - touchdown and over 100 yards rushing

• Brandon Herring - two touchdowns and over 100 yards receiving

• D'Rhon Jackson - two touchdown catches

• Jacob Messinger - four catches and great special teams play

First Half

Fluvanna picked up a first down on a trio of runs after receiving the Carter Trout BOOM. The Mustang defense then broke up a trick play and forced a punt. Former UVA legend Matt Schaub, no, current MHS legend Matt Dixon threw a seed to Tight End Jacob Messinger for 8 yards on a 3rd and 7. Dixon went right back to Messinger for 12. One play later, he hurled an absolute bomb to Wideout Brandon Herring for a 61-yard touchdown. Senior Kicker Carter Trout's BOOM made it 7-0. A sound tackle by Asher Cornwell forced another Fluco punt. Lisaad Rose got a hand on it for a block to set up a favorable starting field position. A 15-yard sack on the first play set the offense back, but star Running Back Selorm Kartey broke a run for 20 yards. On a 3rd and goal play, Dixon found Tight End D'Rhon Jackson wide open for a 6-yard score. Fluvanna put together a nice 10-play drive, capped off by Running Back Isaac Lewis scoring from 11 yards out. 13-7 MHS.

Monticello answered the score on a fluid touchdown drive consisting of first-down runs by Selorm Kartey. The drive was concluded by Herring's second touchdown catch of the night. Lisaad Rose pounded into the end zone for the two-point conversion, making it 21-7 MHS at halftime.

All of the school's Homecoming Court nominees were honored at halftime. Shoutout to Spence Doherty, Eloise Weary, and Kat Love for being the Senior Class Homecoming Court Finalists.

Second Half

Chris Carter took the second-half kickoff and returned it to midfield. Messinger-who had four catches for 42 yards-snared one for 15. He said he was "able to relax and play loose," leading to a standout performance. Later in the drive, Kartey ran the ball a few more times and finished in style; strutting in from 8 yards. Head Coach and play-caller Matt Hicks did a great job mixing in timely passing and feeding Kartey to overwhelm Fluvanna’s defense. The defense got a turnover, forcing a fumble recovered by Defensive Lineman Eian Walker. Dixon rolled out on a play-action pass to find D'Rhon Jackson a second time for paydirt. Carter Trout came in with the BOOM, making it 34-7 MHS. The game was plagued with penalties. However, after a booth review by the expert analyst, Gannon Murray, there was conclusive evidence the refs should “let the boys play.” To end the third quarter, Fluvanna gained momentum with a 9-yard touchdown run followed by a successful onside kick. The comeback continued with another scamper into the end zone by Clayton Canady. Fluvanna had a decent running game with four different backs involved, but the MHS defense did not allow many big plays. It was hard for Fluvanna to move the ball consistently. Following a fourth down stop on defense, Dixon flipped to Wideout Eli Fields, for the QB's fifth passing touchdown, tying Joe Sanford for the most in one game in school history. Dixon felt confident coming into the game, claiming he "had a great week in practice and good reads," leading to a fantastic performance. Rising star Owen Engel would find Juelz Christmas-Jackson in the end zone from 5 yards away to end the game.

Final Score: Monticello 48 Fluvanna 19

After the Game

Nearly all of the Mustangs Student Section stayed for the whole game and triumphantly stormed the field following the win. Dixon praised the Mustang Maniacs for the support and energy they brought to the game. The Mustangs will head on the road to Goochland next week with momentum on their side.