On the ground or through the air, Govs rule

Morton's Cody Moczynski (5) slips away from a West Side defender Brian Burtin for a large gain before he was run out of bounds.
(Charles Mitchell/For the Post-Tribune)

October 4, 2008 By Nick Nochevich Post-Tribune correspondent

Font Size

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

HAMMOND -- Homecoming was sweet for Morton as the Governors came out strong and dominated visiting West Side 51-26 on Friday night.

The Governors took an early lead and never looked back, dominating on the ground and through the air.

The Governors took the ball to start the game and it didn't take them long to get on the board.

Morton mounted a seven-play series capped by a 12-yard run by Cory Phillips for a 7-0 lead.

Morton was effective with its dual quarterback package with Phillips controlling the running game and Allen Polkinghorn the passing game.

Polkinghorn was successful connecting on three consecutive passes to set up a short run by Roosevelt Jones to extend the Morton lead to 14-0 and the end of the first quarter.

West Side got things going thanks in part to a 53-yard kickoff return by Antonio Ellis to set the Cougars up deep in Morton territory. Ellis took it in from 2-yards out to put the Cougars on the board 14-8.

Morton (4-3) did not waste time getting back into the end zone as Polkinghorn caught everyone off guard and scampered in from 12 yards out to give the Governors a 20-8 lead.

Morton added one more touchdown to end the first half scoring when Phillips notched his second of the night to give the Governors the 27-8 halftime lead.

West Side (2-4) took the ball to start the second half and gave it to Ellis, who accommodated by getting into the end zone to cut the score to 27-14.

Morton came right back when Jones broke loose for 39-yards for his second touchdown of the night to put Morton up 34-14.

Fumbles were the story for West Side in the quarter as they turned the ball over to Morton twice and the Governors took advantage adding a field goal and another Phillips touchdown, his third of the evening.

West Side opened up the fourth with a six-yard touchdown pass from Ellis to Doyle Wesley to put the score at 44-20.

Morton added one more touchdown and West Side answered right back ending the scoring at 51-26.

It was Morton's ability to mix their offense up that made the difference as they capitalized both on the ground and in the air.

West Side, though, led by brilliant play by Ellis, just turned the ball over too many times and could not stop the versatile offense attack displayed by Morton.