Assistant Jerry Lindsey wrote the report and submitted photos.
High hopes and beautiful weather filled the air, as the Morrison Mustangs ventured to Ottawa, IL, to play in the 1A IHSA State Football Playoffs, on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The #3 seeded Crusaders of Ottawa Marquette owned a record of 9-1. The Mustangs entered the contest as a #14 seed and a record of 5 wins and 4 losses.
The first quarter featured control football. Each team attempted to establish a running game without much success.
The second quarter opened with a Crusader drive being ended by a Chase Newman interception, but the Mustangs couldn’t capitalize on the turnover. The next Crusader possession saw a mishandled snap to the punter, that gave the ball to the Mustangs on their 12-yard line. Three snaps later, Brady Anderson opened the scoring with a 1-yard plunge, to give Morrison a 6-0 lead with 4:22 remaining in the first half. The defense continued to stifle the Crusaders, and that gave the ball back to Morrison with 1:44 left in the half. With the aid of a pass interference call, the Mustangs moved to the Marquette 31-yard line. With 43.2 seconds remaining, Quarterback Danny Mouw connected with Newman, putting the ball on the 5-yard line. An unfortunate call of holding against the Mustangs nullified the scoring opportunity, and the half ended with the Mustangs up 6-0.
The Mustangs received possession to open the second half, but a Mouw fumble on the third play gave the Crusaders the ball on their 29-yard line. Crusader Fullback Jurnee Reed immediately covered the 29-yards into the end zone to tie the game. The extra-point kick upped the score to 7-6, with 10:06 left in the third quarter. Morrison failed to gain a first down and gave the ball back to Ottawa. Three plays later, Reed found the same hole and galloped 49 yards to paydirt, to put the Mustangs down 14-6. The next drive by Morrison featured two completions from Mouw- to-Newman, to gain two first downs. A fake fourth down punt/run by Daeshaun McQueen gave Morrison a first down at mid-field, but, again, a penalty nullified the play. Possession went back to Ottawa. The next Marquette scoring drive needed only two snaps, before Tom Durdan scampered the sideline for a 36-yard score. With 1:01 remaining in the third period, the Mustang now found themselves in a 20-6 deficit with one quarter to recover.
Fighting the 14-point deficit, the clock, and a failed running attack, the Mustangs went to the air in their last two possessions. They completed only 5-of-11 passes. They ended the day with a 20-6 loss to the Ottawa Marquette Crusaders and elimination from the 2022 State Playoffs.
The season ends with a disappointing loss. However, it must be worth noting the improvement the team made as the season progressed. Plus, this squad loses only four Seniors. They will return with high expectations for the 2023 season.