Published: October 11, 2008 01:27 am      

Mustangs hand Storm season’s first setback

Aerial assault stymies Storm

MORRISON, Ill. — The storm warning issued for Morrison earlier this week has officially been canceled as the Mustangs routed the state-ranked and previously unbeaten Bureau Valley Storm 28-0.

Coming into Friday night’s homecoming contest, Morrison coach Cory Bielema knew his team would have to play exceptionally well against a tough Bureau Valley team.

“We knew they were an athletic team, a big team; we were just going to play our game,” Bielema said.

The Mustangs didn’t disappoint as senior quarterback Devin Mouw connected with senior Tyler Hayes for a 35-yard touchdown reception only 31 seconds into the game.

Morrison wouldn’t let much time come off the clock before striking again. This time running back Jason Smith was credited with a 27-yard touchdown reception from Mouw putting the Mustangs up 13-0.

Bureau Valley’s Ryan Hix was able to pick off a short pass by Mouw, halting the passing attack for a series late in the first quarter deep in Storm territory. The turnover would be short-lived, though, as Bureau Valley was unable to capitalize.

After an exciting start in the first quarter the second quarter belonged to the defense.

Expecting to see an air assault from Bureau Valley quarterback John King in the second half, the Morrison defense stepped up and kept the Storm grounded.

Late in the third quarter Mouw displayed his high-stepping prowess in the form of a 5-yard keeper to put another six points on the board for the Mustangs.

Morrison was able to make up for a missed extra point attempt in the first half when junior Kyle Dermody lobbed a high pass to Smith to add two more points to the already one-sided scoreboard.

Bureau Valley was unable to gain any real momentum going into the fourth quarter, down 21-0. Morrison’s defense was able to hold the Storm to a combined offensive total of only 126 yards and five first downs.

“Our front eight played one heck of a ball game,” said Mouw.

The final scoring play of the game would come in the form of a 50-yard touchdown reception from Smith giving the Mustangs their lopsided 28-0 win over Bureau Valley.

While a majority of the Mustang’s yardage flew through the air, plenty of time was chewed off the clock via the ground game. Smith agreed saying “They (Bureau Valley) thought we were just a passing team, but I thought we ran the ball real well.”

Morrison improves to 5-2 while Bureau Valley drops to 6-1. Next week Morrison travels to Erie/Prophetstown while the Storm will face Sterling Newman in Sterling.

Score by Quarters

Buraeu Valley 0 0 0 0 —0

Morrison 13 0 8 7 —28

Scoring

M—Tyler Hayes 35 run (Kyle Dermody kick), 11:29 1st.

M—Jason Smith 27 pass form Devin Mouw (kick failed), 9:27 1st.

M—Mouw 5 run (Smith pass from Dermody), 2:13 3rd.

M—Smith 50 pass from Mouw (Dermody kick), 10:46 4th.

BV MOR

First Downs 5 20

Rushes-Yards 27-85 49-208

Passing Yards 41 155

Comp-Att-Int 3-10-0 8-15-2

Punts-Average 6-34 3-32

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 3-1

Penalties-Yards 3-35 2-15

Individual Leaders

Rushing—Josh Vos 17-73, Tyler Hayes 13-78.

Passing—Devin Mouw 8-15-155-2.

Receiving—Jason Smith 3-86.

Corey Modglin 8 tackles, Ethan Goodenough 10 tackles.