Morristown edged by Randolph, 31-28, in see-saw grid battle

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The Colonials take the field against the Rams. Photo by Randi Unger.
The Colonials take the field against the Rams. Photo by Randi Unger.

By Tim Heaton, President, Morristown High School Football Boosters

Here is the rundown of this week’s MHS football action.

The varsity begins Friday’s contest in Randolph without two of their starting offensive lineman, scratched at the last minute. This challenge would vex any play-caller.

In the first offensive series, the Colonials suffer an interception.  On the next play, a near-sack by Morristown’s Matthew Napoleon forces an errant throw by the Rams’ quarterback–into the hands of   lineman Samari Robinson, for what must be his first-ever interception.

mhs football boosters logoThe Colonials go 3-and-out again. Next series, the Rams drive 86 yards for a score. It’s 7-0, Randolph. In Morristown’s next offensive series, Treyshawn Gwynn blasts into the secondary, daring the corners to take him on; he finally is taken down on the 10. Jessie Unger dives for a couple of yards, then Jordan Powell dances in from the 5 yard line to tie the score at 7 – 7.

After a big TD pass, the Rams are up again, 14- 7. MHS starts out on its own 4 yard line.  Khair Pettiway makes two great catches, then Gwynn takes a punishing screen pass and powers it into the end zone from the 15. Now the score is 14 – 14.

The Rams score again. This time they kick it to Cody Heaton, who guiding some key blockers, looks for a moment to break it before half time. He returns the ball 25 yards to mid-field, and the Colonials head to intermission trailing by a 21 – 14 score.

In the second half, the Colonials take control. Ricky Lorenzo invades Rams territory to set up Jordan Powell for a 2-yard touchdown run, evening things a1 21 – all.

Later in the 3rd quarter, the Colonials defense stops a Rams drive, forcing them to settle for a field goal that puts Randolph up, 24-21. Three plays into the next series, Morristown regains the lead, 28-24, with Pettiway dodging and weaving on a 40-yard TD pass.

With 4:30 to go, the Colonials lead the Rams and have them down to a must-have 4th-and-a-few. This will be the play that decides the outcome. A questionable pass interference call against the Colonials gives the Rams a 1st down at mid-field. A couple of plays later the Rams score.

It’s a tough loss for a talented group of young men saddled with key injuries to the front line.

Favorite comment (regarding the no-huddle offense), overhead from the refs to the Colonials: “ You guys should slow down, this ain’t college.”

 Morristown prepares for action in Randolph. Photo by Randi Unger
Morristown prepares for action in Randolph. Photo by Randi Unger

MHS Freshman battle to a 20-0 loss to Randolph.

On a warm afternoon before a crowd that rivaled some Varsity games in attendance, the frosh host arch-rival, Randolph. Officials in these games always are in a big hurry to get on with the show, so the game starts about 10 minutes early.

Unfortunately for Colonials fans, the Frosh never quite get airborne. There are several transition mistakes between center and QB, and missed blocking assignments. But these are freshman after all — they are here to work these things out.

Drew Chilson continues to shine on defense with several text-book tackles and an interception. Chilson kicks as well, and makes a 50-yard punt to pin the Rams deep. Gary Smith also dominates, winding up with several tackles for a loss. At the half, the Rams lead, 14-0.

In the second half, Yhylmoni Fable comes in as QB. Problems with exchange and blocking persist. However, Fable somehow breaks into the open on a busted play, dashing 45 yards before he is caught just short of the goal line. The Frosh cannot punch the ball in, so the Rams get the ball on downs on their own 14.

Now it seems that the Frosh have found their stride on defense. Michael Heaton makes a key open field tackle to prevent a first down. Jake Buchner and Chilson team up to sack the Rams’ QB on the the next play.

It’s now 3rd-and-2, and the balance of the game is right here. In a foreshadowing of the Varsity game, the Frosh are called for pass interference, giving the Rams new life to continue a drive that ends with a TD. Final score: 20-0.

MORE COVERAGE OF COLONIALS 2014 FOOTBALL

3 COMMENTS

  1. Unsung hero in this game is Sami Cazimoski. He won the Mack Truck last week. This week he subbed at the last minute for O-line, a position he doesn’t play, and kept a huge opponent out of the game. Well done Sami!

  2. This weeks football games:

    Football: Boys Varsity Game 7:00PM  Away vs. Randolph
    Football: Boys JV Game 4:00PM  Home vs Randolph
     Football: Boys Freshmen Game 4:00PM  Away vs. Mount Olive
     Football: Boys Varsity Game 1:00PM  Home vs. Mount Olive MS 

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