2004 Year in Review

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5th Grade Colts To Play In Championship Game

The 5th grade Jr. Tackle Colts earned the opportunity to play next week in the Jr. Tackle Championship game by defeating Newman on Saturday, October 9. The Colts defeated Newman 38 – 12 and improved their record to 8 – 0.

Morrison started on defense and the Colts stopped Newman three and out. Kyle Heusinkveld made a tackle for a loss to end Newman’s drive. Morrison then moved the football downfield with runs from Brandon Neighbour and Mark McDonnell, but the Colts were unable to score on their first possession.

The Colts stopped Newman again in three plays. Andy Schaver collected a tackle. Luke Brands and Danny Dennehey came close to an interception on Newman’s incomplete pass to end the series.

The Colts found the end zone on their next drive. Neighbour gained yards up the middle. Jacob Tegeler swept wide and added 17 more yards. Neighbour followed with a 32 yard run for the TD. Quarterback Danny Dennehey’s pass to Kelsey Snyder for the PAT was good. Morrison was up 8 – 0.

The Colts’ defense continued to dominate Newman. Morrison held Newman three and out again just before the end of the first quarter. Schaver got another tackle, and a tackle by Matt McDonnell ended Newman’s drive and the quarter.

Head Coach Bill Onken and the Colts’ offense attacked again. Mark McDonnell ran the ball for gains of 23 and 35 yards. Neighbour carried the ball across the goal line for the TD. Dan Crebo ran the ball for the PAT and Morrison led 16 – 0.

Newman did get a 1st down on their next set of plays, but tackles from Matt McDonnell, Brands, Tom Kirk, Logan Kuehl, and Neighbour kept Newman from getting too far downfield. Jeremy Brown had a key tackle on the run. Landon Nelson, assisted by Heusinkveld, got a tackle to end Newman’s possession.

Morrison got the ball back with about 1 minute left in the half. Mark McDonnell and Tegeler gained some yards on the ground. Dennehey fired a pass to Neighbour for a gain of 25 yards, but the Colts were unable to score before the end of the 1st half.

The Colts wanted to put some more points on the board at the start of the 2nd half. Neighbour and Mark McDonnell carried the ball to Newman’s 35-yard line. Tegeler, Dennehey, and Mark McDonnell moved the ball further downfield. Neighbour then broke loose and galloped 19 yards for the TD. Schaver’s kick for the PAT was good and way past the goal posts! Morrison was up 23 – 0.

The Colts’ defense was determined to stop Newman again. With Nelson applying pressure, Newman completed a short pass. Dennehey, assisted by Brown, brought down the receiver quickly. Nelson then hit hard and sacked Newman’s quarterback for a loss. Dennehey prevented a first down by making a tackle on the run. The Colts stopped Newman short on 4th and 11, and took over on Newman’s 33-yard line. Morrison’s Brands carried the ball 19 yards. Zach Blasdell sped past everyone and ran the ball the final 14 yards for the TD. Dennehey’s kick for the PAT was good. Morrison pulled away 30 – 0.

Morrison’s defense faltered on the next play. A very quick Newman runner slipped past the Colts’ defense and went all the way to the end zone for the TD. Newman’s PAT attempt was short. The score of the contest near the end of the 3rd quarter was 30 – 6.

The Colts would now have possession of the football for the last time. Quarterback Jacob Tegeler handed off to Blasdell who gained 19 yards. Brands and Crebo both carried the ball further downfield. Blasdell raced through for another 22-yard gain. After the Colts lost a few yards on the next play, Crebo ran through a huge hole for the TD. Crebo found the end zone again for the PAT. Morrison led 38 – 6.

Newman then got the ball for one last play. The same Newman speedster escaped the Colts’ defense and scored again as time expired on the game clock. Newman’s PAT attempt was no good. The final score of the contest was 38 – 12.

Coach Onken commented that Newman’s defense was tough. He added that the Colts did a good job keeping the ball moving, and the linemen did a good job of maintaining their blocks. Assistant Coach Dean Walters added that the cornerbacks and outside linebackers did a good job containing Newman. Morrison’s 2nd string line was tough, opening up some huge holes. The coaches were pleased with the 2 good kicks and added the win was really because of a good effort from everyone. The coaching staff is looking forward to the championship game and hopes to see lots of Morrison fans at the game.

Danny Dennehey led the team in tackles with 3 tackles and 2 assists. Other tackles were as follows: Matt McDonnell – 3 tackles and 1 assist; Neighbour and Nelson both with 2 tackles and 1 assist each; Schaver and Kuehl both with 2 tackles each; Brands, Brown, and Heusinkveld all with 1 tackle and 1 assist each; Kirk - 1 tackle; Mark McDonnell – 3 assists.

Brandon Neighbour led the team in yards with 8 carries for 76 yards, 1 pass reception for 25 yards, and 3 TDs. Other yards were as follows: Mark McDonnell – 8 carries for 89 yards; Blasdell – 3 carries for 55 yards and 1 TD; Brands – 2 carries for 31 yards; Crebo – 3 carries for 19 yards, 1 TD and 2 PATs; Tegeler – 3 carries for 16 yards, 1 reception for 3 yards; Dennehey – 1 carry for 7 yards, PAT kick; Snyder - 1 reception for a PAT; Schaver – PAT kick. Dennehey was 3 for 4, passing for 31 yards.

The Colts will play Saturday, October 16, for the 5th grade Jr. Tackle Championship. The game will be played at 1:30 pm at the Dixon High School field.

by dzuidema
2004-10-13 08:22:54