MONTICELLO –– The Monticello Panthers found their first win of the season on a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon at home against the Liberty RedHawks.  The scoring action began on the Panthers first offensive possession, after holding the RH to a 3 and out, on the initial drive of the game. Jayden Berrios-Cueves connected on a TD pass to give the Panthers the early lead. The following possession for Liberty, QB Gavin Beseth was picked off on his first pass attempt of the day. The next scoring action would take towards the end of the first quarter with a Panthers safety, followed up by a quick strike on the first play from scrimmage following the free kick. Monti QB Jayden Berrios-Cuevas hit Javien Willams for a long TD pass to put the Panthers up 16-0 over the RedHawks before the end of the first quarter. The Panthers had a dominate first quarter over Liberty that included 2 Touchdowns and a safety. 

The start of the second quarter would see a Liberty punt attempt that would go into the line and result in a short field for Monticello. The RedHawks inability to consistently kick or punt hampered their special teams and cost them over the course of the duration of the game. The Panthers would swiftly capitalize with a swing pass TD by Quenten Liciaga. This would extend the lead to 24-0 with 9:07 remaining in the first half. The RedHawks would find the scoreboard by punching in a QB keeper by Beseth and a successful 2 point conversion attempt to give them a 24-8 deficit heading into the half. The score for Liberty was critical at the end of the half to give them some momentum before the break. 

After the first half the home team Panther coaching staff implored their players to stay focused and in the game despite the lead. Liberty looked to turn the page from the first half and get back into the game. Early in the third quarter the Redhawk coaching staff was trying to fire up and inspire their athletes. The Panthers would prevail as the connection of Berrios-Cuevas to Williams would connect for another passing TD for a 30-8 lead with 8:48 in the third quarter. The opening drive TD to start the second half for the Panthers had the RedHawks looking defeated. They would battle back and continue to fight as Beseth would connect with Aydan Wilson to cut into the deficit to make the score 30-16 with 5:57 remaining in the third quarter. Following this Red Hawk score it would be all Panthers from here. Berrios-Cuevas would take a QB run into the endzone with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter to push the lead to 36-16. 

The fourth quarter would start with a Panthers 3 and out and a short punt giving the RedHawks potential for one last chance to sneak back into the contest. However, Liberty would give the ball right back to Monti with a strip sack fumble! Following this turnover the Panthers quick strike offense would put another TD on the board with a TD run by Deondre Dillon which made the score 42-16. Monti would add a defensive TD on a strip sack fumble return for 6 by Orrin Hutchins III and another TD by Liciaga. This pushed to score, and ultimately the final for the game 54-16 Panthers.