Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report and submitted the photos.
The 2021 Homecoming opponent of the Mustangs came to Morrison, IL, will a question mark on their backs, due to the fact that they have scored 48 points in a recent game but lost. What challenges did they bring to E. M. “Bud” Cole Field on Friday, October 1? The question was partially answered following the opening kickoff.
Sophomore Alex Zarlatanes took the first snap and galloped 38 yards around left end; he was caught on the Mustang 10-yard line by Chase Newman. Snap number two ended in the end zone. Quarterback Brayton Deem connected with Nate Henry with only 30 seconds off the opening clock, to give the Rockets a 6-0 advantage. The Mustangs’ offense failed to produce a first down and returned the ball to Rockridge on their 41-yard line. Six plays later, another six points were added to the scoreboard. Deem scored on a Quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line. After only five minutes of play the Mustangs were down 12-0. The question of how the Mustangs would react was soon answered. They generated a play-play drive highlighted by a Danny Mouw pass to Chase Newman for 60-yards, and a scoring pass to Trey Strating for a touchdown, with 3:40 remaining in the opening quarter. Mouw connected with Newman for the two-point conversion. The quarter ended with the Homecoming crowd waiting to see who would strike next.
Both offenses went silent in the second quarter. The Rockets only could penetrate the Mustang defense for 53 total yards. The Mustangs were held to a total of seven yards, to end the half with the Rockets up 13-8.
The second half started with the Mustangs receiving the kickoff and starting their drive from their 23-yard line. The next ten minutes and 36 seconds were consumed by an 18-play drive. Carson Strating carried the ball 16 times. The drive ended with a failed fourth-and-seven on the 10-yard line and 1:24 remaining on the third quarter clock.
A 5-point gap still kept the Mustangs’ crowd in waiting, knowing that one play could change the lead, and each play was building toward that possibility. With 5:33 left in the game, Rockridge struck again. Quarterback Deem scampered off right tackle with a Quarterback keeper and went untouched for 68-yards and a back-breaking touchdown.
The final nail was placed in the Homecoming coffin at the 1:24 mark, when Zarlatanes scored from nine yards out, to set the MHS Homecoming loss final score at 27-8.
Top: Mustangs failed to score on a fourth down from the four-yard line in the first quarter. Bottom: Rockridge started a drive from the Morrison 4-yard line. It ended with a Blake Adams interception on the 20-yard line.
