In late September, Monticello and Hamburg opened conference play with a 35-32 thriller at Monticello’s Hyatt Field.
Nearly two months later, the two southeast Arkansas football teams will meet at Hyatt Field again, this time for a second-round Class 4A playoff game Friday at 7 p.m.
Monticello coach Randy Harvey said these teams know each other well, and execution will be key.
“The last two years, we’ve played really, really close games,” Harvey said. “I think we won by … 2 last year and 3 this year, so it’s been a barnburner the last two times. So, I expect it’ll be a great high school atmosphere for people that are looking to come watch a football game.”
Monticello (8-3) never trailed the first time it hosted Hamburg. The Billies took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and fended off multiple Lion pushes.
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Hamburg (8-3) cut it to 14-10 in the second quarter, 21-17 in the third, and the 35-32 final score in the fourth. The Lions recovered an onside kick and had a chance to tie or take the lead, but the Billies stopped them on fourth down to win the game.
One major difference for this week’s rematch will be Hamburg’s quarterback. Sophomore starter Kaeden Thomas missed the first Monticello game with an injury but is expected to play this time. Thomas has thrown 15 touchdown passes with three interceptions this season.
Hamburg coach Blake Johnson said the Lions were banged up entering that game after playing Class 5A Magnolia the week prior.
“We came out and started kind of slow,” Johnson said. “Got in a hole 14-0. Then, we started playing and realized we could play with the backup quarterback in and all that. We ended up making it a ball game, just couldn’t finish it out there at the end.”
That result had a significant impact on the final Conference 4A-8 standings and playoff seedings with Monticello finishing league play 5-2 and Hamburg finishing 4-3. It allowed the Billies to claim the No. 2 seed, while the Lions ended up with the No. 4 seed.
It also means Monticello gets hosting privileges again for this matchup after both teams won in the first round. The Billies defeated Forrest City 47-26 at Hyatt Field last week, while the Lions went on the road and beat Gravette 48-28.
Johnson said winning on the road last week should give the Lions confidence they can do it again.
“We had a long road trip last week, six hours up to Gravette,” Johnson said. “Our guys came out ready to play, got the first road (playoff) win in Hamburg in a long time. They ain’t been to the playoffs since 2019, so just get back in and get a win. Our guys are feeling good. They’re enjoying football.”
The winner of this game will advance to the third round for the first time in several years.
Hamburg’s last trip to the third round came in 2016 when the Lions defeated Highland and Gravette in the opening rounds. Monticello hasn’t reached the third round since 2009, when the Billies won the Class 5A state championship.
Harvey said it would be tremendous for Monticello to reach the third round.
“Back in 2020, during Covid year, we advanced to the second round, as well as last year,” Harvey said. “But just being able to get to that third round would be huge for our program and our guys that are coming back next year. We have a shot. Every week, you got a shot to continue to move on, and I think that’s what our guys have ingrained in their minds, just survive and advance.”
The winner will travel to either Heber Springs or Batesville Southside next week.