LIBERTY — Sometimes one win can change the entire feel of a season.
Monticello entered Thursday night 0-4 and searching for a breakthrough. A few hours later, the Panthers walked out of Liberty with their first victory of 2026 after an explosive offensive performance and a tense finish, holding off the RedHawks 24-22.
Liberty immediately put Monticello under pressure by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown and taking a 7-0 lead.
The Panthers answered after their defense created an opportunity deep in Liberty territory. Dion Knight, normally an offensive lineman, lined up in the backfield and powered into the end zone for his first touchdown of the season.
Then came the explosive plays.
Kavon Cox broke loose for an 86-yard touchdown run to put Monticello in front. Later in the first half, Cox struck again, racing 77 yards to the house and extending the Panthers’ advantage to 18-7.
Monticello then gave Liberty an opening before halftime. A Panthers fumble handed the RedHawks another possession, and Liberty capitalized. Facing 4th-and-10, the RedHawks scored a touchdown to cut Monticello’s lead to 18-13 with 2:07 remaining in the half.
Liberty threatened again before the break, driving toward the Monticello goal line with a chance to take the lead. The Panthers’ defense responded with an interception near the goal line to preserve the 18-13 halftime lead.
The third quarter remained scoreless until Monticello quarterback Tahir Atkins delivered another game-changing play. With 16 seconds remaining in the quarter, Atkins broke loose for a 76-yard touchdown, restoring a two-score advantage and putting Monticello ahead 24-13.
That touchdown proved critical.
Liberty refused to go away. The RedHawks cut the deficit to 24-20 with 5:02 remaining and eventually pulled within two, but Monticello held on for the 24-22 victory.
For a team that had spent the first month of the season searching for something to build on, Thursday provided it. Cox accounted for touchdown runs of 86 and 77 yards, Atkins added the 76-yarder, and Knight supplied a short-yardage score out of the backfield.
For an independent program, this is the kind of win that can provide a needed lift over the second half of the season. Long losing stretches can test a roster as injuries accumulate and morale gets challenged. A breakthrough win gives players something tangible to rally around and a reason to believe the work can still produce results.
Monticello now has that.
The Panthers improve to 1-4 and will face Poughkeepsie next week with an opportunity to turn one breakthrough night into momentum.
Liberty falls to 0-5 after coming within two points of completing the comeback.
FINAL: Monticello 24, Liberty 22
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