Morrissey continued its perfect season with a convincing 32-7 win over Siegfried on Sunday afternoon.
The Manor (3-0) controlled the game on both sides of the ball from start to finish. They opened the game with an 11-play touchdown drive that showed the team’s ability to run the ball. Towards the end of the half, Morrissey saw its receivers open the field as it capitalized on its passing game. The end result was a 19-0 halftime lead.
“[Junior running back] Hunter White went down and because of the clock we kept the ball in the air [toward the end of the half],” Morrissey junior captain and running back Erik Rayno said.
Outside of the team’s offensive outburst, the Manor's defense stood strong, particularly late in the second half when it intercepted Siegfried junior quarterback Spencer Judd on each of the Ramblers’ final three possessions.
“[Our defense had] been practicing that all week so it’s nice to see them step up in the games,” Rayno said.
After a botched punt attempt allowed Siegfried (1-2) to get good field position and cut the Manor’s lead to 19-7 early in the third quarter, the Manor responded on offense with an unanswered touchdown and two unanswered field goals. After missing the team’s opening extra point, senior quarterback and kicker Ryan Lindquist was able to convert field goals from 28 and 39 yards.
“We know [Lindquist has] got a boot,” Rayno said. “We know when he kicks it that he’s going to have the distance. We trust him.”
For the Ramblers, offensive struggles that have plagued the team over the first few weeks of the season continued Sunday, resulting in several three-and-outs and three interceptions. Junior captain Grady Schmidt said, however, that the offensive struggles were a byproduct of a poor performance on the other side of the ball.
“Our defense couldn’t get off the field,” Schmidt said. “Our offense was really hurt by our defense.”
Both teams will have fall break to recover before returning to action. Morrissey will take on Alumni on Nov. 2, while the Ramblers play Duncan on the same day. Both games will be at Riehle Fields.
