5A: Morris vs. Metamora blog

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CHAMPAIGN - Metamora edged Morris 17-14 in the Class 5A state championship. Freshman Brennen VanMiegham made a 26-yard field goal with 27 seconds left in regulation to seal the win.

FIRST QUARTER

Neither team scored in the first quarter. Metamora drove deep into Morris territory, but Caleb TerBush was picked off in the end zone on a fourth down play by Stephen Wager with 14 seconds left in the quarter. The Redskins' defense stiffened when it had to and was able to penetrate the Metamora offensive line at times. The Metamora defense stifled Morris on its possessions.

Key player in the 1st quarter: Stephen Wagner, Morris. Wagner's pick prevented Metamora from jumping out to an early lead.

First quarter: Metamora 0, Morris 0

SECOND QUARTER 

METAMORA TOUCHDOWN (4:23): Adam Duvendack rushed to the right for 9-yard gain. (Brennen VanMieghem made PAT.)

Duvendack capped an 11-play, 67-yard drive in which Purdue-bound quarterback Caleb Terbush did most of the damage. TerBush led the Redbirds to pay dirt by using his arm and legs. He had a 14-yard scramble, completed a 12-yard pass to Brad Herman with a defender in his face and moved the ball via quarterback sweeps. Duvendack scored on a draw play that opened up on the right side.

Key player of the 2nd quarter: Caleb Terbush, Metamora. The Purdue-bound quarterback paced the Redbirds' rushing attack that ended in an Adam Duvendack score and gave Metamora its first lead of the game.

Halftime: Metamora 7, Morris 0

THIRD QUARTER

MORRIS TOUCHDOWN (6:51): Stephen Wagner rushed up the middle for a 2-yard gain. (David Balzer made PAT.)

Wagner plunged into the end zone a play after Adam Tondini broke a long run to the  Metarmora 2 on fourth down. Tondini, the Redskins' leading rusher, broke free down the right side line, before being chased down right before the goal line.

MORRIS TOUCHDOWN (4:58): Adam Tondini rushed to the right for a 21-yard gain. (David Balzer made PAT.)

After Drew Tondini forced a Metamora fumble and Stephen Wagner recovered, Adam Tondini broke loose in a full-house backfield lead play to the right side. The junior running back's score highlighted a major momentum swing for the Redskins.

Key player in the 3rd quarter: Stephen Wagner, Morris: Wagner scored the Redskins' first touchdown and recovered a fumble by Metamora's Caleb Terbush. 

Third quarter: Metamora 7, Morris 14 

FOURTH QUARTER

METAMORA TOUCHDOWN (10:40): Brock Gray rushed up the middle for a 1-yard gain. (Brennen VanMieghem made PAT.)

Gray burst in from one-yard out to close a seven-play, 33-yard drive. The Redbirds started with great field position after Morris muffed a punt late in the third quarter. 

METAMORA FIELD GOAL (0:27): Brennen VanMieghem made a 26-yard field goal.

After Adam Duvenback intercepted a Drew Hanson pass that bounced off the finger tips of a Morris receiver, VanMieghem converted a field goal against the wind and with less than 30 seconds left to play. It initially appeared as though Duvenback could have scored on his interception, but he cut inside and into Morris players.

Key player of the 4th quarter: Adam Duvenback, Metamora. Duvenback's interception ended any momentum Morris may have had and led to the game-winning field goal.

Final: Metamora 17, Morris 14

GAME-DEFINING STAT: Metamora had 15 first downs to Morris' six.

GAME BALL: Adam Duvenback, Metamora. Duvenback finished with 20 yards and a touchdown on four carries. He also caught three passes for 31 yards. His biggest play, though, was his fourth quarter interception that set up the game-winning field goal.

UNSUNG HERO: Brad Herman, Metamora: The Iowa-bound linebacker finished with 12 tackles (11 solo), two tackles for loss, one sack and two pass breakups.

NEWS AND ... NOTES: Morris' Drew Tondini finished with  17 tackles ... Adam Tondini ran for 87 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries for the Redskins ... Brennen VanMieghem, Metamora's game-winning field goal kicker, is a freshman ... With the loss, Morris tied Metamora with six state finals losses, a state record.