Twelve hundred fans came to Chiles High School on September 29 for the rivalry game between the Bucks and Mustangs. With school namesake Bill Montford in attendance, the Mustangs sought revenge for a brutal 15-14 loss to the Bucks on a game winning two-point conversion the year earlier. Montford boasted the best offense in Leon County entering the game, but was missing injured star receiver Simon Petion.
In the first half, the Mustang defense and special teams kept the offense on the field. After a quick stop, Montford drew blood first. The Mustangs’ quarterback Jase Dault fired a 15-yard pass to receiver AJ Henry on the first play. Then, star running back DJ Read ran the ball right up the middle for first downs on back to back plays. Despite a huge tackle for a loss by the Bucks’ Benjamin Yarborough that followed, Dault found receiver CJ Usina for a 24-yard score on the next play. After Read ran in the two point conversion, Dominic Scott recovered an onside kick to give the Mustangs another possession. Montford continued to balance the pass and run, with AJ Henry making multiple first down receptions, and Read continuing to build a big night on the ground. Dominic Scott ran in the touchdown.
The Mustangs quickly got the ball back on a John Savoy interception. Running back Scott had a breakaway 25-yard touchdown run soon after. Montford’s defense got their second turnover of the night on a forced fumble, and DJ Read took it upon himself to add to the lead. He lowered his shoulder, and the Bucks could not tackle him. Read took his second trip into the green Chiles end zone after multiple runs, extending the Mustangs lead to 28-0. Montford’s Hudson Katzenbach grounded a beautiful onside kick to Gavin Snipes for their second recovery of the game. To close out the first half, AJ Henry caught a deep ball down the sideline for a 78-yard touchdown.
With a sizable lead, the Montford coaching staff gave many of their younger players a chance to build on-field experience in the second half. Deerlake also put in their younger talent. Even with a new look defense, the Mustangs preserved the shutout. Ball carriers Grant “Frenchie” Gautier and Noah Moultry shined for Montford as well. Gautier raced for a 40-yard touchdown in the second half, and his relentless runs proved his skill. Moultry demonstrated nimble footwork on a touchdown run and the ensuing two point conversion, completing the scoring in the Mustangs’ 50-0 rout.
Montford will look to complete an undefeated season as they play for the District 2a championship against the Swift Creek Wolves.
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