This article was submitted by Bill Popkin.
A loyal and vocal contingent of Mustang faithful trekked to Kewanee, IL, on what started out to be a beautiful summer evening, Friday, August 26, 2016, to view a football contest between the two high school squads. The first half of the game was sunny and mild, with a gentle wind wisping from the west. But, as the sun set to begin the second half, a mist turned to sprinkles, and that, in turn, became steady rainfall for the remainder of the night. Footing became treacherous, and defenses were then at a disadvantage, as the score will show.
After a 0-0 opening quarter, Kewanee jumped out to a 14-6 lead at halftime. They maintained the spread in the second half of muddy action, as both teams put 20 points on the board. Kewanee prevailed 34-26 at the end of the night.
Fourth year Kewanee coach Tyler Nichols has a 9-19 record during his tenure. Kewanee were 3-6 last season. He has six players returning on both sides of the ball, including his entire offensive backfield. Morrison, led by Cory Bielema, won the State titles in 2009 and 2011. But, in the last three seasons they are 6-21. In 2015 they finished 3-6, the same as Kewanee.
Neither team could mount much of an attack in the first quadrant of play, but Senior quarterback Matt Sheets hit paydirt from one yard out with 10:21 remaining in the second quarter. He capped off a nine-play drive and gave the Boilers a 7-0 lead. After stopping Morrison on their next drive, Sheets hooked up with Noah Jonmarker on a 24-yard aerial strike at the 5:16 mark, to give the Boilers 14-0 advantage. Morrison finally scored at the end of the period with a 22-yard passing touchdown from quarterback Dylan Keller to Jarrett Ruchotzke with 0:47 remaining in the half. Morrison trailed 14-6.
A 75-yard march by Kewanee to start the second half was capped off by an 11-yard scamper by Drake Charett. The two point conversion made the score 22-12 in favor of the Boilermakers. Ethan Fischbach took the ensuing kickoff back 80 yards and across the goal line, to give Morrison a much-needed score. This would be the first of two kick returns for touchdowns by him on the night. On the next Kewanee drive, Sheets hooked up with Parrson Porter-Dixon on another scoring strike, to give the home team a 28-12 lead after three quarters. Besides Fischbach‘s second kick-return touchdown sprint, both teams scored one more time in the muddy fourth quarter. As the final horn sounded, the Kewanee Boilermakers prevailed 34-26.
The season doesn’t get any easier for the Mustangs down the road. Next week they entertain Princeton, IL, a team that received points in the class 3A poll posted last Wednesday, August 24. In two weeks they travel over to Sterling Newman, a perennial power that is ranked #5 in 2A, so far this season. And on Friday, September 16, the Mustangs entertain Rockridge, another squad that received votes in the latest 2A polls.
It will be a tough road ahead. Come out and support our local student-athletes!
Morrison 0-6-6-14=26
Kewanee 0-14-14-6=34