Editor’s note: Jerry Lindsey took the photos.
The Young Mustangs allowed the fresh-soph Red Devils an early touchdown, then quietly closed the door on their offense in route to a 34-14 win, at Spring Valley Hall High School Friday night, September 3, 2017. The Mustangs will travel to Kewanee, IL, next Friday, September 15, with their eye on win number three of the young season.
The opening drive of the fresh-soph game totaled 67 yards and ended with a 42-yard touchdown run by Hall’s Marshal Walk; the Mustangs were down 8-0. Morrison quickly retaliated on the ensuing drive, which started on their 39-yard line. The 61-yard scoring drive featured a 38-yard pass completion, from quarterback Nate Helms to T. C. Ottens; Keegan Anderson slicing off runs of 9 and 11 yards; Brhenan Linke pushing the ball over from the 2-yard line. John Winkleman skirted left end for the two-point conversion, and Morrison regained the lead 8-6.
The Red Devils were completely contained in the second quarter. Mustang defense allowed only three total yards of offense on two possessions in the second quarter. They ended a third possession with an Isaak Shetler interception, which was returned for a 36-yard touchdown. The half ended with the young Mustangs up 14-8 and gaining confidence as the half wore on.
The second half began where the first half ended–with a dominating defense by the Mustangs. Hall’s opening possession earned a total of -6 yards. It ended when Nick Allen sacked the punter, to give Morrison the ball on their 40-yard line. Six plays later, including a 10-yard scramble by Helms and a 9-yard run by Linke, Helms found Ottens in the end zone. That 15-yard scoring toss expanded the score to 20-8. The Red Devils failed on their next possession. They had gained only 1 yard in three downs, aided by a good defensive stop for a loss by Ryan Kennedy. A short Hall punt gave Morrison the ball at mid-field. The Mustangs needed only 1:15 to find the end zone. The 50-yard drive included a 20-yard end run by Anderson; a 28-yard scamper by Helms; Allen scoring from the 1-yard line to up the score to 26-8.
The fourth quarter started with the Mustang defense stopping the Red Devils on a fourth-and-five play, taking possession on their own 36-yard line. Eight plays later Jevin Smith scored from the 4-yard line. Linke converted the 2-point conversion to make the score 34-8, with 4:39 remaining on the clock. The Red Devils generated a touchdown on an 83-yard drive in the final four minutes. It included a 35-yard pass completion from Grant Resetich to Marshal Walk and a 42-yard touchdown strike to Jacob Grush. Scoring ended with 51 seconds remaining in the game and a final score of 34-14.
Morrison Offense
Passing: Helms 2/5 for 53 yards 1-TD
Rushing: Anderson: 64 yards (14 carries), Linke: 25 yards (7 carries)
TD Helms: 36 yards (5 carries), TD Allen: 23 yards (5 carries), TD Winkleman: 23 (5 carries), TD Smith: 17 yards (6 carries ), TD Shetler: 8 yards (1 carry).