The Morrison Ponies galloped to Sterling, IL, with a record of three wins and no losses, scoring 36-points in each previous win. The Shooting Stars from Newman Central Catholic own a record of 1 win and 2 losses, but all records usually go out the window when these two schools take the field.
The Ponies took the opening kickoff and marched 65 yards to open the scoring, with a 38-yard pass competition from quarterback Nathan Helms to Hunter Newman. A fumbled snap on the extra point left the score at 6-0 with 5:36 remaining in quarter number one. The ensuing kickoff was marred with a Newman penalty and the Shooting Stars started their opening possession on the 9-yard line. Five snaps later, Alex Anderson fell on a Newman fumble on the 30-yard line, and the Ponies were ready to strike again. Following a penalty, they only needed two plays to add to the score, as Newman skirted 35 yards to up the advantage to 12-0, with 1:55 remaining in the quarter. In typical Newman football fashion, the Shooting Stars started their next drive at their own 33-yard line and ground out a 17-play drive that ended the first quarter.
Newman ran the second quarter down to 3:11, and Jake Ackman scored from the 1-yard line. Brennen Cook added the two-point conversion to cut the Ponies lead to 12-8. Newman immediately regained possession on a Morrison fumble following the kickoff and owned the ball on the 27-yard line. Andrew Velasques needed one attempt to cover 27-yards to the goal line. Cook’s two-point conversion put the Shooting Stars up 16-12 with 2:53 remaining in the half. The Ponies weren’t ready to leave the field at half with a score disadvantage. Alex Anderson started the march back when he returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield. Six plays later, with only 15.6 seconds on the clock, Brhenan Linke bulled over from the 3-yard line to make the half time score 18-16 in favor of the Ponies.
The Ponies’ defense dominated the third quarter. Morrison allowed Newman only 41-yards in three possessions. The Morrison offense couldn’t get untracked either, and the game remained in question until the 5-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
A fourth down snap aired over the Newman kicker’s head into the end zone where it was retrieved. A pass was attempted without being completed, and the ball was awarded to Morrison offense on downs at the 23-yard line. Kayden White took the first snap, cut off left tackle, and out ran the defense to the end zone to give Morrison a 10-point advantage. Newman took the ensuing kickoff and immediately marched downfield, beginning with a 19-yard run by Brady Partington. The Ponies stopped the drive four plays later with an Alex Anderson pass interception, with 2:37 remaining. The Ponies ran out the remaining clock and earned their fourth win of the season, with a final 24-16 victory.
The Ponies will travel to Fulton, IL, next Friday evening, attempting to keep the unscarred record intact. Game time is 5:30 p.m.