2007 Year in Review

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Clear, Brisk-NO STORM

By Jerry Lindsey

A beautiful fall night set the atmosphere for Friday night football and the Morrison Mustangs made sure the forecast included ‘No Storm’ for the evening. The Mustangs took the opening kick-off and marched 64 yards for the first of five touchdowns and played the game that has earned them the number one ranking in class 2A state football ratings.

Bureau Valley won the coin toss and deferred the possession to the second half, which has proven to be fatal to many Morrison opponents this year. Utilizing the ground attack of Nate McBride, Matt Proud and Tyler Hayes and an eighteen yard pass completion to Derek Hamstra, Morrison methodically marched 64 yards to a score that was caped off with a 2 yard run by Nate McBride. Christoph Erber kicked the seventh point and with 6:15 left in the quarter the ‘Stangs established the tempo for the evening.

The Homecoming celebrating Storm started their first possession on their own 36 yard and three plays later punted from the same yard line. The defensive pressure shown in the first series would continue for the game and cause much frustration for the Bureau Valley Storm offense.

Morrison’s second opportunity started on their 34 yard line and the ground eating offense was again effective but this drive was aided by a 36 yard pass from Nate Vandermyde to Dustin Jones and a 6 yard aerial to Derek Ward before Matt Proud scored from the one yard line and Erber completed the extra point to make the score 14-0 with only 13.5 seconds left in the quarter.

The second quarter was played under a full moon and whirling windmill as the defense again said “not over me” to the Storm. Bureau Valley started on their own 42 yard line with a short pass from quarterback Justin Doty to running back Austin Peterson who tried to reverse his field and was caught by Derek Ward for a nine yard loss. A failed run was followed by an incomplete pass, due mainly to defensive pressure by Clint Sheppard, and again the Storm had to punt back to the Mustangs.

Proud and McBride were held to short gains but the passing combination of Vandermyde to Jones resulted in three first-down completions, one coming on a fourth and four situation on the Bureau Valley 36 yard line. This drive culminated with an eleven yard sprint over the right side by McBride to make the score 20 -0. Erber upped the score with his foot and with 4:28 left in the half the ‘Stangs dominated with a 21-0 score.

The Storm started their third possession of the evening on the 31 yard line and punted three plays later from the 33 yard line to give the Mustangs another chance to score on their own 37. The offense shifted to the passing attack for this drive as catches were made by Jones for 13 yards and Derek Hamstra for 14 yards. As the halftime clock ran down Christoff Erber attempted a 37 yard field goal that had the distance but missed wide to the right as the half ended.
The tempo of the second half was obvious as the opening kickoff was ended with a crushing tackle by Justin Voss and the Morrison domination continued. Three downs after the kickoff the Storm was punting again after only gaining seven yards. This punt was taken by Nate McBride and returned to the 26 yard where the tackle left the Morrison senior laying on the ground in pain. He was eventually able to walk off the field, but his playing time was ended for this evening.

On the next series, Derek Hamstra replaced McBride and gained 19 yards while Hayes was gaining 13 yards to set up a 23 yard scamper by Matt Proud to move the shutout score to 27-0. Again Erber finished to make the score 28-0.

Fumbles ended the next two drives with BV coughing up their first snap which was recovered by Nate Vandermyde. The Mustangs were moving in for another score when Matt Proud lost the handle and returned the ball to the Storm on their own 21 yard line.

The Storm rushed junior Bill Robbins five straight times before going to the pass on fourth down which was intercepted by the Mustangs Derek Ward and returned to the Morrison 47 yard line. This drive featured the running of Hamstra and Hayes and two tipped passes that would have gone for scores to Jones and Ward. Finally Proud finished the drive with an eleven yard run followed with an Erber extra point to make the final score 35-0.

The Mustangs return home for the Homecoming festivities and a Friday night match against Erie-Prophetstown where they will continue their quest for the conference championship and post-season playoff action.

by dzuidema
2007-09-29 12:00:23