The Morrison Mustangs journeyed to Orion, IL, to keep alive their dim playoff hopes, on Friday, October 6, 2017. Instead, they met the running of Sam West, the arm of Dawson Schulenburg, and Mother Nature to carry home a 35-7 defeat.
The game opened with the Mustangs stopping an eight-play drive, when quarterback Schluenburg was stopped on a fourth-and-one on the Morrison 35-yard line. The Mustangs took their first possession. A well-executed, ten-play drive ended with Reilly Dolan connecting with Triston DeMay for a 19-yard touchdown pass. The Stangs took and a 7-0 lead after a Brevin Pruis extra point kick.
The Chargers matched the Morrison total on the first play of the second quarter, on a 1-yard West dive, as the anticipated rains began to increase in intensity. Morrison’s three-and-out was followed by an Orion 4-play scoring series. It ended when a Ben Brackemeyer tipped pass was pulled in by Logan Lee in the end zone, for an 18-yard completion. The score expanded to 14-7 with 3:39 left in the half. Unable to generate a first down, the Mustangs returned the possession to Orion with 2:45 left in the half. They felt good only about being only seven points down–nearing the half against the number 9th-ranked team in the Class 2A State rankings. The defense stiffened as the rains created a challenging surface. The halftime clock was running out when Schulenberg found Cole Schroeder open in the end zone. The play closed the half with the rains pouring and Mustang spirits soaked, with a halftime deficit of 21-7.
The second half saw decreasing rain penetration, after a steady downpour had continued during the entire halftime recess. Morrison opened the second with ball possession, but turned it over on a fumble at the 7:33 mark near mid-field. Six plays later West scampered 23 yards for another score, which was followed three plays later by an Orion recovery of a Mustang fumble on their own 33-yard line. Schulenberg immediately took advantage of the clearing skies. He connected with Noah Anderson for a 33-yard touchdown and a 33-7 advantage, with 4:20 remaining in the third quarter. To cap the misery of the rainy evening and the third quarter collapse of the Mustangs, a fourth down punt attempt was mishandled by Luke Wilkens and resulted in an Orion recovery in the end zone for a safety. That ended the evening’s scoreboard movement at 35-7 in favor of the Orion Chargers.
The fourth quarter resulted in a turnover by fumble by each team and an unwinding of the clock by Orion as weather conditions improved. But the damage was done; the Orion Chargers ended their home season with a 35-7 win.
Orion’s offense dominated the stat sheets. Schulenberg threw for 132 yards (8/11) and three touchdowns. West carried 19 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
The Mustangs will face the Class 2A 7th-ranked Rockridge Rockets next Friday night, October 13, with a home encounter that will be played at the Lumberking Stadium in Clinton, IA. This changed venue will feature special, combined high school band presentations and promotions that challenge each school’s attendance. The fresh-soph game will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity game to follow.