Big win for the Bulldogs last night!!
Field goal in OT gives Morrisville stunning win
BAL FOOTBALL: Morrisville 3, Springfield 0 (OT)
The Bulldogs will go into the District One championship game on a high note after upsetting BAL rival Springfield on Matt Cookson's clutch kick.
MORRISVILLE - The Morrisville Bulldogs took a ferocious bite out of the Springfield Spartans' football team Friday night.
Matt Cookson booted a 27-yard field in overtime, boosting the Bulldogs to a 3-0 victory at Robert Morris Field on Senior Night. The win kept Morrisville as the top seed in the District One Class A playoffs, which start next week.
"I am still completely overwhelmed. I'm speechless," Cookson said. "This is the best thing ever."
Morrisville will take on Calvary Christian for the District One championship this Friday (7 p.m.) at Harry S Truman.
The Bulldogs' defense held Springfield scoreless through regulation and only gave up six yards in the overtime series, stonewalling the Spartans' offense. Morrisville (7-3 overall, 3-3 Bicentennial Athletic League) didn't gain a yard in overtime.
On fourth down, however, the Bulldogs looked to kicker and quarterback Cookson. Julian Walker bobbled the snap, but got it down in time for Cookson to end the game and upset Springfield.
"I was so nervous. My hands were shaking," said Walker, who held on field goals for the first time Friday.
Earlier this season the Morrisville offense ruled the headlines. In Week 10, however, the Bulldogs' defense was the only spotlight in the victorious post-game huddle.
"Our defensive coordinator, coach (Demetrius) Roberts put together a solid game plan," said Morrisville head coach Jim Gober. "The biggest thing we concentrated on today was we didn't want to make mistakes."
With 2:37 remaining in the game, Springfield (7-3, 5-2 BAL) started its final offensive series with a 4-yard run, then a 32-yard pass to get to the Bulldogs' 22. Defensive back Rich Laypo stopped Spartans running back Clay Ewell for a short gain, forcing fourth down. Luke Whealey hauled in Doug Bauer's 16-yard pass in the end zone. The touchdown was called back because of an illegal shift penalty - Springfield's sixth miscue of the game. Austin Crist forced a turnover on downs when he sacked Bauer for a loss of 4.
Springfield more than doubled Morrisville's total yards on offense, 292 to 110, respectively. Ewell led the Spartans' attack with 34 carries for 183 yards - an average of 5.4 yards per rush. Springfield outgained Morrisville in passing yardage, 32-25.
"This is best game I have ever played with this team," Crist said. "This is what this team has now become - all heart."
With less than four minutes to play, the Bulldogs ended a 12-play Spartans drive when Ewell rushed to the 6-yard line and fumbled after a hit by the Morrisville defense. Lineman Gary Boyd recovered to preserve the scoreless tie.
Senior Matt Beyer led Morrisville with 43 yards on six carries. Cookson ran for 41 yards and threw for 25.
"We're thrilled with the way we played, and hopefully we continue with this wave of emotion next week against Calvary," Gober said.
Jean-Paul Lautenschlager can be reached at jpradio@hotmail.com
November 06, 2010 12:20 AM
