2004 Year in Review

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Nick Vandermyde

Morrison’s Playoff Run Cut Short By One Point

After hearing from IHSA that Morrison’s first round playoff match would be against 9-0 North Boone, the Mustangs got busy practicing and getting ready for a game that they had a good chance of winning. On Saturday, October 30, the Mustangs boarded a charter bus for Poplar Grove, just North of Belvidere, for a 1:00 p.m. showdown in the IHSA Class 2A Playoffs.

The Mustangs came out strong, forcing the North Boone Vikings to go 3 and out, and blocking the punt to give the offense a great start from the Viking 35 yard line. Sophomore Nick Vandermyde made his varsity debut getting a first down, and later driving all the way to the 1, before fumbling the ball over to North Boone. The Vikings came out strong, pushing down to the Mustang 31, before taking a quarterback option to the end zone and getting the 2-point conversion, putting the score at 8-0. The Mustangs offense returned strong, driving the ball from their own 40 down to the 11, but couldn’t make the 4th down conversion, giving the Vikings the ball to end the quarter.

In the second, both defenses held strong, but eventually North Boone broke away on a screen pass and took it to the end zone for another 6 points, putting them up 14-0. Morrison brought the ensuing kickoff out, but went 3 and out again. North Boone again wasn’t able to get the 4th down conversion, giving Morrison the ball at the 50. Matt Kistler brought the ball down to the 25, which was followed up by a few runs by Nick Vandermyde to give the Mustangs a touchdown. Nate Vock stuck the Vikings deep in their territory on the kickoff, where Nick Vandermyde intercepted a pass and took it to the 45, where Morrison took a knee to go into the half.

Morrison started the second half out strong, with Nick Vandermyde taking the ball to the 18, but later a fumble gave the Vikings the ball back, taking it to the 41, but punting. A great return by Nick Vandermyde put the ball back up to the 50, where Nate vock threw an interception over the middle. Luckily, the defense made a big stop, with Greg Frickensetin and Dustin Vandermyde getting a key sack at the end of the 3rd quarter.

In the 4th quarter, North Boone started out by punting, which Sammy Biggs brought to the 50, but went 3 and out. Kendal McDearmon had a great interception of an option pitch, giving Morrsion the ball back on the 33. Nick Vandermyde again continued to impress, running it down to the 1, where Vock went in for the Touchdown. On the extra point kick, North Boone was able to tip it and keep the lead, with a score of 14-13. With minutes left, Matt Kistler fumbled, but Morrison forced and recovered a fumble, but got backed up to 4th and 25 on their own goal line. Morrison was not able to make the conversion, giving North Boone the ball to take a knee with a minute left.

The Morrison Mustang playoff hope ended, with a final score of 14-13. The Mustangs finished off the season with a record of 5-5, and we wish the best of luck to all of the seniors in their future plans.

by larryg
2004-10-30 23:56:32