Written and photos by Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey.
The final regular season Football game for the Morrison Mustangs against the Bureau Valley Storm ended with a comfortable point spread, but the opening half saw the Storm failing to give in to the 8th-ranked Mustangs. The Storm entered the evening with a record of four wins and needed a fifth win, to qualify for the upcoming IHSA State Playoffs. Aware an upset win over the ranked Mustangs would guarantee the Storm a Playoff selection, the first half of action left Bureau Valley with hopes of that upset.
The Morrison offense was limited to under 50 yards of ground offense until the 6:51 mark of the second quarter, when Brady Anderson broke tackles to find a slot on the right side and outrun the defense, for a 55-yard touchdown scamper. Quarterback Colton Bielema connected with Blake Adams for the 2-point conversion. The 8-0 advantage was carried into halftime with a need for Coach Vandermyde to find a second-half solution to the Storm’s containment.
Opportunity knocked on the second-half kickoff when the Storm’s kicker allowed a Mustang recovery of a bad kick on the 50-yard line, to start the Mustang’s second-half possession. On the second snap of the series, Bielema connected with Daeshaun McQueen for a 50-yard touchdown. Brady Anderson entered the end zone with the conversion, and the score expanded to a more comfortable margin at 16-0.
The Storm retaliated with a drive featuring seven carries by Quarterback Bryce Helms but finally ended with a failed fourth down on the Mustang 20-yard line. Following two changes of possession, the Mustangs found the end zone again at the 1:43 mark of the third period. Carson Strating bullied in from the 23-yard line to up the score to 22-0. Two points were added when Bielema found an open Karder White for the conversion points. The Storm returned the ensuing kickoff to the Mustang 37-yard line and advanced the ball to the 4-yard line, to end the third quarter.
The fourth quarter opened with a touchdown plunge from the 4-yard line by Brady Hartz to put the Storm on the board, trailing 24-6. The Mustangs wasted little time covering the Storm’s advancement. Chase Newman took the first snap after the kickoff and galloped 68 yards for the touchdown. Bielema covered the 3-yard conversion, and the score expanded to 32-6 with 11:41 left in the game. Newman crossed the end line again with a Bielema pass, only two minutes later, and the scoreboard changed again to 38-6.
The Storm found the end zone again when Quarterback Bryce Helms and Foster Blake connected for a 19-yard touchdown, followed by a successful extra-point kick, to form the final 38-14 score. The loss eliminates the Storm for IHSA Playoff possibilities but positions the Mustangs for an attractive Playoff draw.
The Morrison offense, operating on a chilly, damp E. M. “Bud” Cole field was led on the ground by Brady Anderson (97 yards); Chase Newman (77 yards); Carson Strating (50 yards); Bielema’s passing (8 for 15 = 145 yards.)
The Mustangs ended the season with eight wins and one loss. They await the opportunity to start the journey to DeKalb, IL. Playoffs begin next Saturday, October 28, with an opponent and destination to be announced on Saturday, October 21, at 8:00 p.m.
