2005 Year in Review

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Ponies Have No Problems With Falcons

The Morrison Ponies struggles through the first quarter on Friday night but after they put things together, there was no doubt as to the outcome of the game. The Pony offense controlled the line of scrimmage while the defense turned in its second straight shutout in the 31-0 victory over the River Valley Falcons. The offense rolled to over 140 yards in the second quarter thanks to the big play capability of the offense.

Early in the first quarter, the Falcons dominated the line of scrimmage and pushed the Ponies around before the Pony defensive line finally dug in their heals and fought back. After Dustin Jones stopped the drive with an interception, Morrison began marching downfield. With the line opening holes and sweeps starting to gain effectiveness, the Ponies marched into the Falcon red zone with Derek Hamstra and Tyler Hayes leading the way with Hamstra running up the middle and Hayes taking it around end. Matt Proud capped off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter to make it 6-0. Jones’ extra-point attempt was no good and the lead held.
River Valley attempted to start another drive but were unable to get anything going and were forced to punt it away. Taking the ball from their own 20-yard line Morrison wasted no time in putting the ball in the end zone. On the first play, Hayes took the ball around right end, cut all the way across the field and ran 80 yards for the touchdown with help from great downfield blocking by Jones. Seth Ashpole’s extra-point was no good and it was 12-0.
The Falcons started the drive and got down close to the Pony 25 before the drive stalled. With not much time left, the offense worked quickly, with Hamstra running up the middle to get the ball near the Morrison 40 with just eight seconds left in the quarter. On the next play, Derek Ward dropped back and fired deep to Jones. Jones jumped over the top of his defender before outrunning three Falcons to the end zone for a touchdown as time ran out on the first half with the score at 18-0.
Morrison got after it right away in the second half and took advantage of the opening possession. Dominating the front line again, the Ponies drove the field before scoring on a short pass from Ward to Proud that put the Ponies ahead 24-0. Once again the conversion attempt failed and the Pony lead held.
The Falcons continued to play hard and started to drive the field again before the Ponies halted the drive and took over on offense. After picking up several first downs, the drive stalled and the ball was given back to the Falcons early in the fourth quarter. The Falcons began to move the ball again before it was Ashpole that once again came up with the big play. On second and eight, Ashpole intercepted the Falcon pass and returned it for a touchdown. The interception was Ashpole’s second of the season. Ashpole also added the extra-point to make it 31-0.
Both teams tried to move the ball for the final five minutes, but after each team punted once, the clock ran off sending the Ponies to 3-0 with the victory.

by rustinl
2005-09-10 19:01:58