GARDINER

The fifth-seeded Morse Shipbuilders traveled to Gardiner Friday as a much improved team than the No. 4 Tigers beat on opening night.

A chance to avenge the 26- 6 September loss fell short as a pair of second-half touchdown runs by Nate Malinowski that lifted the Tigers to the 13- 8 win in Class C South high school football quarterfinal play at Hoch Field.

“ These kids worked hard all year. From day one they put in the effort,” said Morse coach Jason Darling. “ I couldn’t be more proud.”

The first half showcased both defensive squads’ talents. Morse held the ball for 16 of the 24 first-half minutes, gaining 78 total yards, but the Gardiner defense made the stops when needed. The Morse defense fared just as well, allowing only 58 yards from the Tigers.

After playing to a scoreless tie leading into the half, Malinowski took the third play of the second frame and powered his way through the middle. The junior exploded down the field for a 44- yard score and a Gardiner 7-0 lead following the extra point.

After a punt on their next possession, the ’Builder defense came up big once again. Parker Onorato intercepted a Cole Heaberlin pass deep in Morse territory, ending the Tiger drive.

The Shipbuilders put together a nine- play, 64- yard drive to get deep into Gardiner territory. Highlighted by an Onorato 41- yard scamper and a big first-down catch and dive by tight end Lukas Osterhout on a fourth- and-seven. This set them up for a first- and- goal from the G- 7. Morse failed to move the ball into the end zone, and the Tiger defense stopped the Shipbuilders on the next four plays to keep the shutout.

“Our kids played their hearts out. Gardiner played their hearts out,” said Darling. “ Our kids really did everything we asked, and some. We just came up a little bit short.”

A short Gardiner punt put Morse in great field position with 9:59 remaining in the game.

On the G-15, Austin Baltazar drove forward three yards, converting another Morse fourth down by inches after a “dramatic” measurement that the fans in silence awaiting the result. Five plays later, quarterback Corey Larmon snuck the ball over the goal line for the touchdown. Larmon passed to Onorato for the 2- point conversion and the Shipbuilders led 8-7 with 5:50 left to play.

“ We were competing throughout the whole thing as we fought back and forth,” said Onorato. “ We’ve come a long way this year. Some were doubting us after dropping a class, but we went out and worked.”

The visitors stopped Gardiner on its next three plays, getting a pair of tackles by Alex Martin. On fourth-and-three, Malinowski took the hand-off and darted through the middle once again, sprinting down the field for a 45- yard touchdown.

“ Two plays, they had two big plays tonight,” said Morse head coach Jason Darling. “But that’s football.”

The kick failed and the Tigers led by five, 13- 8 with 4:17 remaining.

After being forced to punt, the Morse defense stopped Gardiner while calling all of its three timeouts. The offense had another chance with 2:02 to go.

Larmon passed to Onorato, who pitched to Baltazar for a quick 34-yard gain. After a Morse holding penalty, Larmon rolled to his left, lofting a pass down the left sideline, only to have his throw fall short of this target and into the hands of Dimitri Paradis for a game-ending interception.

The Tigers ran out the clock by taking a knee on the next few snaps for the victory.

“Our defense was tough tonight, our seniors are great leaders,” said Darling. “ I’m proud to be associated with the guys,” added Darling.

“ Our defense was awesome tonight. It was just couple of plays they broke us,” said Martin, who led the pesky Morse defense with eight tackles, while Onorato made five.

Onorato also rushed for 60 yards, all primarily in the second half, while hauling in three catches for 49 yards. Baltazar rushed for 44 yards and senior Sebastian Tibbetts added 21 on the ground.

Morse ended its season at 6-3, while 4-5 Gardiner will visit top-seeded Leavitt in the semifinals this upcoming Friday.

No.4 Gardiner 13,
No. 5 Morse 8

Class C South Football Quarterfinal
Friday at Gardiner
Morse— 0 0 0 8 — 8
Gardiner— 0 0 7 6 — 13
Third quarter
G — Nate Malinowski 44 run (Austin
Weymouth kick), 10:32.
Fourth quarter
Mo — Corey Larmon 1 run (Parker
Onorato pass from Corey Larmon),
5:50.
G — Nate Malinowski 45 run (Austin
Weymouth kick), 10:32.
Records — Gardiner 4-5, Morse 6-3.
Note — The Shipbuilders season
ends.