Editor’s note: Photos are by Jerry Lindsey.
For the second week in a row the Morrison Fresh/Soph Ponies were forced to play with a continuous clock. Receiving word that the Spring Valley, IL, bus would be delayed due to a flat tire, the starting time was moved to 6:00 p.m. The decision was made to run a continuous clock, to avoid a late finish to the upcoming Varsity game, remembering that Spring Valley High School is a 75-mile trip.
Considering the inequality of the competition, the continuous clock would probably draw thanks from the Red Devil fans. It eliminated some of the opportunities the Morrison offense had to add numbers on the scoreboard.
The game was dominated by the Pony defense. They held the young Red Devils to 28 rushing yards in 25 carries and allowed quarterback Gabriel Lucas to throw two passes. One was completed for a 15-yard gain, and the second was intercepted and returned for a 35-yard Morrison touchdown by Andre McQueen. Sophomore Alex Alderson is shown above, carrying the ball.
Big plays marked the Pony first quarter, An opening drive saw John Winkleman (shown below) skirt end for a 22-yard gain, before the drive ended with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Nate Helms to T. C. Ottens. Winkleman scored the extra two-pointer, and the rout was on. Winkleman stung the Red Devils again, when they punted following their first possession, and Winkleman returned the kick 60 yards, to up the score to 14-0. McQueen’s interception ended the first quarter scoring with the Ponies on top 20-0.
The second quarter passed quickly, as Spring Valley executed 12 snaps and generated only 25 total yards. The Ponies only recorded two plays in the quarter. One resulted in a 46-yard scamper by Hunter Newman. The second was a 19-yard scoring run by John Winkleman to end the half with Morrison in charge, 28-0.
Each team owned the ball for two possessions in the third quarter. Spring Valley’s possessions ended in punts. Their offense could only generate a -5 yards.
Meanwhile, the Ponies scored on a Winkleman 8-yard touchdown on their first possession. Their second possession ended with a failed fourth down attempt on the 10-yard line in the fourth quarter.
The Red Devils’ final drive collected 36 of the team’s 44 total yards and ended at mid-field. as the clock expired with a Morrison victory, 36-0.
