Broncos reach final, eliminate Spartans again

Montini handed Sycamore a touchdown in the second quarter, but that didn’t derail the Broncos’ “Drive for Five” in the semifinals.

A fumble recovery in the end zone by Ben Niemann, whom the Broncos made a point to stop, was about all Montini would concede to the talented wide receiver.

His score narrowed the Spartans’ deficit to seven.

But the Broncos recovered nicely and cruised to a 42-20 victory and a shot at a fifth consecutive Class 5A title next Saturday in DeKalb.

The Broncos (13-0) will face Sacred Heart-Griffin, which beat Washington.

“I have to give all the credit to the coaches,’’ Montini senior quarterback Alexander Wills said. ‘‘They prepare us every week for whoever we play. We knew exactly what we were going to do against Sycamore.”

The Spartans (12-1) had most of their players back from last year’s team that was eliminated 24-22 in the second round by the Broncos.

“This never gets old because it’s always about the right now,” said Chris Andriano, Montini’s 35-year coach.

“When you have a different team, it becomes all about them.”

Wills accounted for five touch- downs — three passing and two rushing. He had a seven-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Tumpane on the first possession, a six-yard TD pass to Stephen Dennis and a seven-yard TD pass to Matthew Brachman.

Wills had touchdown runs of seven and 10 yards.

On defense, Anthony Ferraro and Dylan Thompson had two sacks apiece for the Broncos, and Michael Reilly and Derrick Curry had interceptions.

“All the intensity is the same, and we always have the family aspect going,” Thompson said.

“Last year, we felt like the defense didn’t play well and the offense had to bail us out.

“We made sure the defense finished today.”

Niemann, facing double coverage all day, was held to three receptions for 23 yards by the Broncos’ defense.