Morse @ Mira Mesa

Mira Mesa 58 - Morse 0

Mira Mesa Record is now 4-4, 3-0
with Patrick Henry and Scripps Ranch left to play

Freshmen, 
JV and Varsity All Win

It was a good week at the Mecca...Freshmen, JV and Varsity all won convincingly vs Morse.  

Offense Team

On Offense, Varsity platooned Senior Quarterbacks #10 Alex Cann (3 TD Passes, 1 PAT) and #15 Kevin O'Mary (1TD Pass) tonight...both having impressive games.  

Seniors RB #2 Jelani Burton (2 TDs...104 yds rushing), WR #4 Markques Simas (1 TD), TE #89 Nate Chandler, and WR #3 Josh Ollison (1 TD) all had great games. But mixed in throughout the game were some other names not heard as much this year, including Sophomore RB #34 Dax Evangelista (2-TDs) and some of the JV players recently brought up, like #33 Jerik Davis. Two guys who are the future of this team.

Junior WR #12 Robin Trieu (1 TD) had a great TD over the shoulder catch on a tight spiral from QB #10 Alex Cann late in the game. While Senior WR #8 Jean-Si Coulibali was always in the mix.

The O-line was making big holes, moving a lot of folks around, no matter whether it was regulars like Seniors #66 Alex Muckle, 55-Josh Porotesano, #77 AJ Ulutu, or their backups.

Defensive Team

The defensive backfield had a net out tonight, I think just about everyone pulling in an interception...I lost track, but they spread the wealth around pretty much...one nice interception was by Junior DB #19 Verry Jackson...and there were a number of balls batted down.

The D-line and linebackers were pounding the Morse line...always pressing the QB...keeping Morse's back against the wall for most of the game. On one play "they brought the blitz from left field" literally blitzing the deepest back on the field.  I usually pick one or two guys to watch in the D-Line/LB mix...tonight it was LB #6 Elija Najera, he was a great choice to watch.

There was a lot of #22 Eric Shorter, #23 Tanis Anderson, #19 Verry Jackson and #24 Kyle Moore on the field. 

And then there was #1...a JV player brought up to varsity...Mr Noname...the announcer didn't have his name, and he's not on my preseason roster...but we'll have to get it before the Patrick Henry game...he reached over the shoulder to knock the ball away several times tonight. (#1 has been Identified...JV Coach Garland sent his resume.  He's Brandon Chambers, until he moved up to Varsity, he was the leading receiver on the JV Team and their top DB. He's up on Varsity to stay...look for good things from him in the future. Welcome Brandon!!!)

Special Teams

Even special teams had some rare action, Senior Kicker #14 Austin Turner (6PATs, 1FG) was hot all night in all phases of the kicking game, then QB #10 Alex Cann, who usually holds for Turner, took his turn with #2 Jelani Burton holding, and split the uprights for an extra point. 

The return team had awesome coverage all night, typically backing Morse up within their own 25-yard line.

Overall

The Tigers have been struggling this season, trying to get some offense going, and giving up a lot of points on defense...but they're still hanging in there.  Years ago...this was the smash mouth "black and blue" game of the Eastern league between all-city rivals, Morse and Mira Mesa. It was far from that tonight. The tide of fortune has changed for both teams and the teams are much different now...Morse is not the powerhouse it once was, and Mira Mesa is using a bit more finess...

I was impressed by both teams tonight, the Marauders and the Tigers were just two city teams playing a little football, both class acts...Mira Mesa has changed their look a little from the earlier games this year, when they too were struggling, and were just too strong for Morse on this Friday night.

Eric Elegado - At half-time, Marauders Head Coach, Gary Blevins, presented a plaque to 1982 Marauder alum, Eric Elegado, for his generous contributions to the football program and thanked him for his tremendous ongoing support.  Thanks Eric.