Hope Academy Cruises Past Monmouth-Roseville in Playoffs
Hope Academy advanced to the next round after securing a 35-14 victory over the Titans on Wednesday.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Football
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Hope Academy dominated the first half of their IHSA Class 3A playoff matchup, building a 35-6 lead by halftime to defeat Monmouth-Roseville 35-14. The win improves Hope Academy to a 6-4 record, while Monmouth-Roseville finishes their season at 4-6.
Why it matters
This victory moves Hope Academy into the next round of the playoffs, where they are scheduled to face Kankakee Bishop McNamara. The win highlights a strong offensive showing that allowed the team to capitalize early and maintain their lead despite a scoreless second half.
Landon Montroy surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the season after his 8-yard touchdown run, while Lars Bergren recorded 129 yards on 29 carries. Hope Academy opened the scoring with a 60-yard pass and later added a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown.
The players
Hope Academy
A high school football program that improved its overall record to 6-4 with this playoff victory.
Monmouth-Roseville
A high school football team that concluded their season with a 4-6 record following this playoff loss.
Landon Montroy
A player for Hope Academy who eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season during the game.
Lars Bergren
A Hope Academy athlete who contributed a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown and 129 rushing yards.
Kankakee Bishop McNamara
The upcoming playoff opponent for Hope Academy in the next round of the IHSA tournament.
The details
Hope Academy asserted control immediately, scoring on the opening play of the game. Although Monmouth-Roseville managed to hold their opponents scoreless in the second half, the early deficit proved too large to overcome.
Timeline
The football game took place on October 23, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This win cements Hope Academy's place in the IHSA Class 3A playoff bracket, allowing them to continue their postseason run. For Monmouth-Roseville, the loss marks the definitive end of their 2026 campaign after finishing the regular season at 4-6.
Landon Montroy reaching 1,000 rushing yards serves as a significant milestone that could impact his usage in the next round. The victory also confirms the next matchup in the playoff bracket, setting up a clash against Kankakee Bishop McNamara.
The takeaway
Early game momentum remains a decisive factor in high-stakes playoff football. Teams that capitalize on quick scores early in the first quarter often force their opponents to play from behind for the remainder of the contest.
What happens next
Hope Academy is scheduled to play Kankakee Bishop McNamara in the next round of the playoffs.
Further reading
For more updates on local high school sports, visit the Chicago Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Prairie Communications, LLC.
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