2007 Year in Review

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33 - Brian Suarez

Over Early

by Jerry Lindsey

The River Valley Falcons entered Friday night without a win, but carrying high hopes of playing competitive football against the #1 ranked team in the state of Illinois 2A division. The Falcon wings were clipped at the opening kickoff and the Mustangs didn’t allow the birds any air space in which to fly as they embarrassed them before a home crowd to the score of 61-8.

The tone for the evening was set on the opening kick-off as Tyler Hayes received it on the 15 yard line and returned up the middle of the field for an untouched 85 yard touchdown. With only 12 seconds off the clock Christoph Erber booted the extra point and the score was 7-0.

The Falcon’s first possession included a two yard run, a 3 yard run and a quarterback fumbled snap before they were forced to punt. On the first play from scrimmage, Matt Proud found a huge hole over left tackle and scamper 82 yards for another Morrison score. Erber’s conversion slipped wide right and with 9:30 left in the first quarter, the Falcons were wondering what had hit them.

Following another three downs and a punt, Nate McBride took the first hand-off of the new series and galloped around right end for a 65 yard score. Erber’s conversion made it 20-0 with 7:47 left to play in the first quarter.

Again the Falcons couldn’t get off the ground and punted so the Mustangs started the next drive on their own 42 yard line. Nate Vandermyde completed a pass to Dustin Jones for a gain of 25 yards before McBride took the next snap and easily out ran the defense from the 32 yard line to score his second touchdown of the quarter.

With 4:41 left in the first quarter and the score 27 -0, the #1 Ranked Mustangs weren’t done yet. The Falcons gained 6 yards on two carries before Clint Sheppard recovered a fumble on the Falcon 20 yard line. Tyler Hayes moved the line of scrimmage to the 15 yard line and Vandermyde quickly completed a pass to Dustin Jones for another TD and with 2:30 left in the quarter the score was 34-0.

The Falcons again could not move the ball 10 yards and punted. With time running out in the quarter, Matt Proud took the first snap and walked into the end-zone again. Erber converted and with 0:06 left on the clock, the Falcons found themselves buried by the score of 41-0.

The second quarter started with the Falcon receiving their first first down of the game via a Mustang penalty. Three plays later they were on the same yard strip where they started and punted the ball so the Stangs would start their offense on their own 21 yard line. Two plays later, the Falcon recovered a Morrison fumble on the 25 yard line and the cold Falcon supporters had their first reason to make noise. After moving the ball for a first down to the Mustang 12, the Falcon’s flipped a pass over the middle for a touchdown and the orange and blue were on the board for the first and only time of the evening.

The Mustangs didn’t allow the Falcons time to enjoy their short flight as the ensuing kickoff was returned by Nate McBride for a 75 yard touchdown. Erber’s foot converted and the score was 48-8 with 7:56 left in the half.

Each team had limited success moving the ball the remainder of the half as the Mustang’s second team played the balance of the second quarter and kept the Falcon offense out of the end zone to end the half with a 48-8 advantage.

The Morrison starters were given the remainder of the evening off as the second half was played with a continuous clock. Neither team could mount much offense during the second quarter, but the Mustangs were able to add to their total when Dustin Jones intercepted a Falcon pass and returned it 70 yards for his second touchdown of the cool evening. Erber converted again and the score was 55-8 as the quarter quickly ended.

The Falcon frustrations began to show themselves and several personal foul penalties were assessed and one Falcon was ejected for poor sportsmanship. The Mustangs reserves continued to compete and were rewarded with another score when Allen Jensen broke through the left side of the line and outran the defense with only 1:24 left in the game. The extra point was no good, but the chilly Mustang fans were glad to head for a warmer environment with a final score of 61-8.

The Mustang will next travel to play Amboy (4-0) for their Homecoming on Friday September 21 on the Clippers home field.

Photo Album

by dzuidema
2007-09-17 16:30:03