Vega, Defense Power Dardanelle Past Monticello and Into Semifinals

Dardanelle 35, Monticello 14

DARDANELLE – Senior quarterback/safety Creed Vega did a little of everything, guiding Dardanelle to a 35-14 win over Monticello in a Class 4A state quarterfinal at Bob Keenan Field. The Sand Lizards jumped to a 28-7 halftime lead and never trailed, staying unbeaten at 13-0 and punching their ticket to the state semifinals.

Dardanelle struck first when Vega kept on a 19-yard quarterback draw late in the first quarter. He added second-quarter scoring runs of 30 and 1 yards, while another Sand Lizard punched in a 6-yard touchdown behind the offensive line as Dardanelle built a 28-0 cushion. Vega also hurt the Billies with his arm, hitting receivers like Roderic Chaten Jr. on chunk throws to keep drives alive.

Monticello answered just before halftime when senior FS/QB Jackson Hines hit Jayden Rhodes on a long pass to the 1 and then powered in on a sneak. After the break, junior RB/FS Joseph “JoJo” Accelus sparked the Billies’ comeback bid with an 8-yard touchdown run, cutting the margin to 28-14 while Monticello’s defense forced a pair of Dardanelle fumbles.

Dardanelle’s defense, led by tacklers such as Breydin Hardy and Kam Olson, slammed the door from there. Vega capped his night with a 13-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter, his fourth rushing touchdown, and kicker Jesus Garcia stayed perfect on extra points. Monticello’s hopes dimmed when both Accelus and Hines exited with injuries in the final period, and the Sand Lizards ran out the clock to earn a semifinal date with Warren.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Dardanelle – Creed Vega 19-yard run (Jesus Garcia kick), DAR 7-0

2nd Quarter
Dardanelle – Creed Vega 30-yard run (Garcia kick), DAR 14-0
Dardanelle – 6-yard run (Garcia kick), DAR 21-0
Dardanelle – Creed Vega 1-yard run (Garcia kick), DAR 28-0
Monticello – Jackson Hines 1-yard run (Jude Parke kick), DAR 28-7

3rd Quarter
Monticello – Joseph “JoJo” Accelus 8-yard run (Parke kick), DAR 28-14

4th Quarter
Dardanelle – Creed Vega 13-yard run (Garcia kick), DAR 35-14

Standout Players

• Creed Vega (Dardanelle, Sr. QB/RB/SS) – Four rushing touchdowns (runs of 19, 30, 1 and 13 yards) and key throws to extend drives.

• Joseph “JoJo” Accelus (Monticello, Jr. RB/FS) – Powered the Billies’ ground game with an 8-yard TD and multiple tough runs before leaving with an injury.

• Jackson Hines (Monticello, Sr. FS/QB) – Directed the offense, hit a deep ball to set up his 1-yard TD sneak, and kept Dardanelle off balance with his dual-threat ability.

• Roderic Chaten Jr. (Dardanelle, Sr. WR/FS) – Reliable target on intermediate routes, helping flip field position and contributing on the back end of the defense.

• Breydin Hardy (Dardanelle, Jr. defensive standout) – Around the ball all night, anchoring a Sand Lizard defense that limited a high-powered Monticello attack to two scores.