The Machine Marches on: Montrose Routs Central in Saturday Showdown

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - The Montrose Red Hawks looked like a well oiled machine, picking up steam never slowing down against the Central Warriors in a 54-14 victory at Stocker Stadium.

Wind at Stocker Stadium seemed to affect both teams early, leading to some miscues by both sides handling the ball. It became a test of which team could adapt to the elements the fastest, and it was Montrose who never slowed down once they got going.

Montrose got going with a big pickup from Chaz Miller, who broke through after strong second-level blocking by the Montrose line and looked like he might house it before getting taken down just before the end zone in Warrior territory. Montrose punched it in shortly after, sending Lincoln Jones up the middle for the first touchdown of the night.

Central, who has had their struggles early this season, but certainly has a knack for splash plays showed off their ability to do just that in the ensuing drive.

Warriors quarterback Noah Rosales danced around before heaving one up to Tyrus Kellerby on the perimeter. Kellerby broke a tackle and took off to move the chains.

Central went right back to getting Rosales on the run, and this time he got it into the hands of Aiden Weiss, who would not be denied in the end zone. Central had its counterpunch.

But Montrose can take a punch and give one right back. The Red Hawks answered with a jet sweep in the hands of Liam Evans, who flipped the field before it was all said and done, with Aiden Mock and Preston Bercillio getting their guy an escort down the field.

That’s when Montrose really kicked it up a gear. Lincoln Jones scored again. Central, looking to stay in the fight, tossed it up, but Montrose quarterback Cade Saunders was patrolling the secondary and picked it off. That play proved to be the spark number eight needed, he caught fire after that scoring a pair of first half touchdowns in a short amount of time.

That was the start of the Saunders show. He powered one in himself on a keeper for a short score, then showed he could bring it home from a long way out, powering to the right side before cutting back across midfield for another touchdown.

With the win Montrose improves to 2-0 ahead of another Western Slope rivalry matchup with Palisade back in Montrose next Friday.

Central falls to 0-2 with no sign of their schedule easing up. They have another Western Slope Rivalry Matchup against Fruita Monument, who just defeated Vista PEAK Prep 40-20 over on the Front Range on deck, followed by back to back league matchups on the road against Steamboat Springs and Glenwood Springs.