By Jerry Lindsey, Assistant Editor.
The Morrison Mustangs, under third-year Football Coach Nathan Vandermyde, made the long trek to Hazel Green, WI, to challenge the Galena, IL, Pirates. (Note: game played in Hazel Green due to new school and facility construction at Galena High School.) Both teams entered the Friday night contest with new personnel in key positions, that made the pre-game predictions a mystery.
The rain threatened but cleared, before the kickoff, to offer a pleasant atmosphere for the high school football excitement. The Galena Pirates wasted no time in establishing their game plan. They took the opening kickoff and marched 66 yards in 11 plays to score; they converted the two-point conversion. The Mustangs were trailing by eight points before even touching the ball on offense.
The Mustang possession started with a 12-yard scamper by Brady Anderson. It ended two plays later, when Quarterback Carson White was intercepted at mid-field, and the Pirates retained possession. Six plays later Mustang Jacob Banks intercepted a Galena pass to renew the Mustang hopes.
The second quarter began with two changes of possessions before the Pirates recovered a Mustang fumble on their own 29-yard line. Only two snaps later, the Pirates needed only two snaps to score on a 22-yard pass completion. The following extra point conversion was good, and the score moved to 16-0 favoring the host Pirates.
The Mustangs bounced right back on the ensuing possession, by building a 60-yard drive, to score for the first time in the 2025 season. The drive was highlighted by run-pass combination highlighted by completions to J. Banks of 20 and 18 yards; a 10-yard completion to Brayden Rubright; five carries for positive yards by B. Anderson. G. White connected with Gavin Baker to complete the two-point conversion and make the score 16-8 with 3:52 remaining in the first half.
The defense stopped the Pirates on three plays, but the Mustangs fumbled it back on their third snap. That gave the Pirates possession on their own 21-yard line with 1:56 on the first half clock. The Pirates needed only two-snaps to find the end zone and move the halftime score to 22-8.
The third quarter started with two changes of possession before the Pirates threatened a score again. The Mustangs’ defense strengthened and ended the threat without further damage, and immediately drove the other way. Aided by a C. White to Charles Pruis pass of 38 yards, the Mustangs found the end zone again on an 18-yard scamper by C. White. The extra point effort failed, but the Mustangs were back within striking distance (22-14) entering the final quarter.
The Pirates controlled the fourth quarter by allowing the Mustangs only two possessions, one of which ended in one play with a C. White fumble. The Mustangs’ final chance started on their own 17-yard line, with 2:26 remaining on the clock. They were called for holding, on the first snap, and pass interference on the second, before the third pass attempt was deflected and intercepted by the Pirates. It ended any hopes of a Mustangs recovering, and they made the long trip home with memories of a 22-14 loss.
The Mustangs open their home schedule next Friday night, September 5, (7:00 p.m.) against Pearl-City Eastland, who opened their season with a 52-20 win over the Fulton Steamers.