Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report.
The Morrison Mustang 2021 Football season came to an end at Erie, IL, on Friday, October 22, 2021, at the hands of the State-qualifier Erie-Prophetstown Panthers, by a score of 25-6. First year Coach Steve Snider led the Mustangs to a 2-6 record. He had to maneuver with limited roster numbers and key injuries early in the season.
Friday’s game opened with the Mustangs marching the opening possession toward paydirt, aided by a Danny Mouw-to-Chase Newman, 18-yard, pass completion and an Alex Anderson 18-yard gallop around right end. The drive ended with a Newman fumble on the 1-yard line that was recovered by the Panthers. To add to the disappointment of the missed opportunity, the Panthers immediately generated a 99-yard drive. It ended with a 13-yard score by Mason Misfeldt at the 2:56 mark of the quarter to take a 6-0 advantage.
The Panthers’ defense adjusted to the Mustang offense. They held the visitors to only 40 total yards in three possessions for the remainder of the first half. The teams left the field at half with the Panthers leading 13-0, after a second touchdown was recorded on a 38-yard scamper by Jase Grunder and an extra-point kick by Justus Hough.
The second half opened with a failed on-side kick that gave the ball to the Panthers at the Morrison 49-yard line. Seven plays later Kolby Franks scored from nine yards out, to up their advantage to 19-0. The deficit was reduced to 19-6 as Mustang Kayden White scored from nine yards out, with 1:01 left in the third quarter.
The final was still in doubt at 19-6 in favor of the Panthers. A Mustang on-side kick failed again, and the Panthers took possession on the Mustang 44-yard line. Four snaps later, the defense relinquished the fatal touchdown, on a two-yard plunge by Grunder. The score moved to what ended as the final 25-6.
The first Snider year will end with the graduation of 15 Seniors and only three Juniors returning to the 2022 squad. They will accompany ten Sophomores and ten Freshmen. All will enter the 2022 season with the Mustang spirit, that is practiced every day within sight of two State Championship banners–knowing that, “it can be done in Morrison.”
Note: Erie-Prophetstown Panthers (7-2) will play the Comets from Clifton Central (6-3) at Erie with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff, on Saturday, October 30. The Panthers are a #5 seed, and the Comets are seeded #12 in the IHSA Class 2A Boys State Football Playoffs.