Monticello football finding groove, another Young stepping up

MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) – Monticello football is playoff eligible for the 16th year in a row under head coach Cully Welter.

The Sages graduated a stellar senior class in 2025, then lost by 27 to Unity in week two.

Since then, MHS is 4-1, including a big road win at St. Joseph-Ogden.

“He believes in our players and I think we believe in him as well so it goes both ways,” Monticello’s do-it-all senior Nolan Buehnerkemper said.

Buehnerkemper plays quarterback, free safety and kicker for Monticello.

“He’s just a tough kid,” Welter said. “You really can put him anywhere on the field and he’s going to do well. And we pretty much do put him everywhere on the field.”

After learning from previous Sages’ quarterbacks, including Ike Young, Buehnerkemper is now teaming up with another Young. Ike’s younger brother Zeke is making finding a bigger role at receiver after starting on defense as a sophomore in 2024.

“I’ll take 10 Youngs if we can,” Welter said with a smile. “[Zeke is] just a guy that can make the big play for us. But he’s a lot more physical, little stronger this year.”

Monticello seeks its sixth win of the year, to guarantee itself a 2025 postseason berth, in the Friday Football Fever Spotlight Game of the Week on Friday, Oct. 17 against Prairie Central.

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