Monticello’s football program, fresh off a 2024 state‑title run that fell just one win short, is gearing up for what many expect to be a breakout 2026 season.
A season of opportunity
The team enters the preseason ranked No. 7 in the state poll, a testament to a senior‑heavy roster that returns many starters from last year.
Seniors Zeke Young, Jake Motsegood and Braden Wood will anchor both sides of the ball, each assigned a distinct role: Young as a wide receiver, Motsegood as an offensive left tackle and defensive nose tackle, and Wood as a defensive end and fullback.
Returning running back Maddox Utley, who compiled 548 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, adds depth, while the defensive line benefits from the experience of Young, Nolan Buehnerkemper, Utley and Colton Shubert.
The schedule opens on Aug. 21 with a home matchup against Chillicothe IVC, and the team will enjoy a mix of home and road games, playing in a venue that sits adjacent to the school and draws the whole town on Friday nights.
Motivation stems from a 21‑20 playoff defeat to Unity in the 2025 Class 3A second round, a loss that has fueled the squad’s determination as the IHSA expands its playoff field to 384 teams, granting the top 16 in each class a first‑round bye.
Jake Motsegood says he is focused on maintaining consistency throughout the upcoming campaign, a goal that could prove pivotal for the team’s title aspirations.