YARMOUTH

The Morse Shipbuilders broke an 8-8 deadlock, scoring 20 unanswered points and cruising to a 28-8 victory in Class C South high school football Friday night.

Not only did the offense find it’s rhythm as the game progressed, but the defense also raised its game, allowing just 35 yards in the second half.

Morse now stands at 2-1, while Yarmouth falls to 0-3.

“We came out a little bit slow, but we have good leadership and they made sure we didn’t stay flat,” said Morse head coach Jason Darling.

The first six possessions of the game resulted in either a punt attempt or a turnover. Yarmouth’s first time with the ball resulted in one first down, while the other two went three-and-out. On the Clippers’ third punt, Morse’s Alex Martin blew through the line, blocking Noah Eckersley-Ray’s attempt and falling on the ball.

“We were coming out flat and I know we needed a big play so I figured now is a good time,” said Martin.

“I was so happy for Alex tonight. He works his butt off, so it was good to see him have that success,” added Darling.

After the Shipbuilders’ second straight three-and-out possession, Parker Onorato was able to punt the ball within the 10-yard line, pinning the Clippers deep into their own territory.

Yarmouth punted from its own 8-yard line. It appeared a Morse defender got a hand on the ball, but a running into the kicker penalty gave the Clippers an automatic first down.

The Morse defense forced another punt attempt when Arius Eich broke up pass play. Yarmouth’s punt hit one of its own players on the line and Morse took over on Y-18.

Following an Austin Baltazar 10-yard run and a Corey Larmon quarterback keeper for four yards, Morse fumbled on the first play of the second quarter, giving the ball back to Yarmouth and missing out on a golden scoring opportunity.

During the Yarmouth drive, Eckersley-Ray scampered into Morse territory with an 18-yard run. However, three plays later Yarmouth put the ball on the ground, turning the ball over on a fumble.

Morse scores

Morse began the drive on the Y-44. Larmon connected with Onorato for a 32-yard gain, giving Morse a first and goal from the 5-yard line. Baltazar took it into the endzone on a good second effort run for the touchdown. The 2-point conversion run attempt was good and Morse led 8-0 almost halfway into the second quarter.

Eckersley-Ray took to the ground on the first play of the next drive for the Clippers, rushing down the sideline for a 31-yard gain.

“Noah is a great kid and he’s the type of kid that will do anything you ask of him,” said Yarmouth coach Jason Veilleux. “He’s been a quarterback waiting in the wings.”

Earning another first down behind the legs of Jack Ricciardi and a small gain from Ben Gleason, Eckersley Ray rolled out to his left, looking to move the chains. But Martin sacked the junior quarterback to force a fourth down. Onorato broke up a pass, turning the ball over on downs.

With four-and-half-minutes remaining in the half, Morse mishandled a second down snap. The ball rolled into the endzone where Yarmouth’s Connor Senger pounced for a touchdown. The 2-point run tied the game.

The stalemate didn’t last long as on the first play after the kickoff, Lukas Osterhout was left uncovered on the right side of the field and Larmon found him. From there, Osterhout out-ran his defenders for a 64-yard score, putting Morse back in the lead, 14-8. Larmon finished with 101 yards throwing on four completions.

Back to back tackles and a second sack from Martin ended the half for the Clippers. Martin finished with seven tackles and two sacks to go with his blocked punt. Despite out-rushing Morse, 108-32, Yarmouth trailed at the half.

“I think there were some things we could do better on defense, but overall I think we did well tonight,” added Martin.

Both teams struggled to get things going early in the third quarter, including a Morse fumble that was recovered by Yarmouth. A strong defensive series for Morse forced Yarmouth to punt again.

On the next drive, Baltazar rolled off a 43-yard run to the Y-15. A 13-yard run by Onorato and a quarterback sneak put the Shipbuilders up 22-8 late in the third quarter.

Neither team managed to move the ball over the next few possessions. As the fog rolled in, making it difficult to see up in the air or far away, Onorato intercepted the Yarmouth quarterback with 4:20 remaining in the game.

Ishan Myers had six tackles on defense for Morse, while Eich added five before leaving the game in the third quarter with an apparent leg injury.

Baltazar put the final exclamation point on the victory, dashing down the field for a 38-yard score with 2:31 remaining. Baltazar finished with 110 yards on 13 carries.

“My line is outstanding, I’d like to thank them tonight,” said Baltazar.

“Austin is one of many good runners we have, but the best part is these guys block for one another,” said Darling.

Yarmouth’s Riccardi rushed for 53 yards, while Eckersley-Ray ended with 38 yards on the ground.

Morse out-gained Yarmouth in the second half, 137-35. The Shipbuilders also limited the Clippers to only five possessions second-half possessions.

After two games on the road, Morse returns to McMann Field on Friday against rival Mt. Ararat. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Morse 28,
Yarmouth 8

Friday at Yarmouth
Morse— 01468—28
Yarmouth—0800— 8
Second quarter
Mo — Austin Baltazar 5 run, (Arius
Eich pass from Corey Larmon), 7:15.
Y — Connor Senger recovered fumble in endzone (run good).
Mo — Lukas Osterhout 64 pass from
Corey Larmon (run failed).
Third quarter
Mo — Corey Larmon 1 run (Corey
Larmon run).
Fourth quarter
Mo — Austin Baltazar 38 run (pass
failed).
Records — Morse 2-1, Yarmouth 0-3
Up next for Morse — Friday at home
vs. Mt. Ararat, 7 p.m.