2007 Year in Review

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WOODEN SHOE REMAINS

The Morrison Mustangs remained undefeated and continued producing impressive offensive numbers, but the defense was challenged with the Steamers passing game before settling the score with a 49-28 victory.

BEND BUT DON’T BREAK
By: Jerry Lindsey

The Morrison Mustangs traveled to Fulton Friday night to defend the possession of the ‘Wooden Shoe’ and fine tune their play for the remaining of the season and prepare for the upcoming play-offs.

The tone of the game was established on the opening kick-off which was returned by Ryan Damhoff to the Morrison 9 yard line. Three plays later, the Jared Kuebel scored from the 5 yard line. So, less than one minute into the game and Fulton led 7-0.

The celebration was short as the Mustangs took the ball on their own 32 yard line and handed off the Nate McBride for a quick 21 yard gain. Then Nate Vandermyde found Derek Ward open down the left side line and they were first and goal on the three yard line. Next play …Touchdown Matt Proud. Christoph Erber booted the extra point and only three minutes into the game and the score was 7-7.

The Steamers were unable to generate any momentum after the kick-off and gave the ball back to the Mustangs on their own 40 yard line. They quickly moved downfield aided by a 12 yard pass from Vandermyde to McBride and again Matt Proud carried it in for the score from the three yard line. Morrison led 14-7.

Fulton’s next possession ended on the third play as Nate Vandermyde leaped high to grab a one-handed pass interception from Evan Banks and Morrison was on offense again at midfield. Morrison missed a scoring opportunity when a pass was overthrown to a wide open Derek Ward, but the play was forgotten when Vandermyde hit Derek Hamstra for a 14 yard gain on a 4th and 12 situation. The quarter ended with Morrison on the 4 yard line and leading 14-7.

Matt Proud carried into the end zone to start the second quarter and the score moved to 21-7, but Fulton wasn’t ready to give in to the top ranked Mustangs. Evan Banks found Dennis Bar for pass completions of 28 yards and 14 yards before completing the drive with a touchdown pass to Randy Whitmore which cut the Mustang lead to 21-14.

Morrison was unable to generate any offense as they were called for three penalties in their next possession and forced to return the ball to the Steamers.

Fulton accepted the ball on the Morrison 42 yard line, but was unable to move it until, on 4th and 11, they reversed player roles as running back Bar passed to quarterback Banks for a pass completion that ended on the 10 yard line. Banks finally scored on a 4th and 1 snap and the score was tied at 21.

The Mustangs received the kick-off determined to take a lead into the half-time break. Nate McBride gave them good field position with a return to the Morrison 43 yard line. The running attack of McBride and Proud took the ball to the 15 yard line where Matt Proud ran it in for the touchdown, but another Mustang penalty nullified the score. Following a time-out, Vandermyde lobbed a pass to Dustin Jones in the corner of the end-zone and the score moved to 27-21 with 8 seconds left in the half. Erber missed only his third extra point kick of the season and the half-time score was Morrison 27 and Fulton 21.

Morrison was unable to move the ball on their first possession of the second half and returned it to the Steamers after failing to get a first down on 4th and 3. The Morrison defense forced Banks to throw early and Ethan Goodenough graciously intercepted the gift and set the Mustangs up to score again. Carries by Tyler Hayes and McBride and Proud ended with a 6 yard touchdown run by Matt Proud. Morrison chose to attempt a two point conversion and was successful as Vandermyde hit a diving Dustin Jones for the three yard conversion and the score moved to Morrison 35 and Fulton 21.

Fulton’s next drive was aided by a pass interference call and the defense dug in to for a punt on 4th and 10. Fulton’s chose to call for the fake punt and the results saw the referee call out the chains to measure before signaling first down for the Mustangs as the attempt was only inches from being successful.

The next possessions by both teams ended in punts, but with 6:59 remaining, Banks was able to find a receiver in the end-zone and closed the gap to 35-28. Following the kick-off, Morrison turned the ball over to Matt Proud on 5 consecutive plays to up the advantage to 14 points.

Fulton hopes were completely dashed as Jared Kuebel fumbled on the next Fulton possession and Zane Woods recovered to set up Matt Proud’s 27 yard scamper into the end-zone and create the final score of 49-28.

The Mustangs final regular season game and the recognition of the senior players will be next Friday night at Morrison with the fresh-soph game starting at 5:30 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to show the town’s support for the number one ranked Mustangs by packing the stands and letting the Mustangs know you appreciate their efforts for a great season.

by jerryl
2007-10-14 12:21:15