Morgan Park pulls big upset over Hubbard

Updated: October 13, 2011 10:34PM

The early-season turmoil that saw Morgan Park start the football season at 0-4 seems like a distant memory as the Mustangs pulled off one of the biggest season upsets in a 27-14 win over Hubbard Thursday night at Gately Stadium.

The win gives Morgan Park (4-4, 4-1) the Prairie State conference title.

Things started bad for Hubbard right from the start as an apparent 56-yard touchdown reception was lost when Ricky Backstrom fumbled on the goal line and the ball went out of the end zone for a touchback.

Junior quarterback Andre Newel threw two touchdowns in the first half to Javon Bright to stake Morgan Park to a 13-0 led in the first half. Charles Bournes’ one-yard run with 9:33 in the third quarter pushed the lead to 20-0. Hubbard (6-2, 4-1) finally scored on a three-yard run by Quintin Skanes with 3:21 in the third quarter, but the Mustangs responded with a six-yard touchdown by Bournes with 9:06 in the fourth quarter.

“Nobody believed that we could do it, but we believed in ourselves and the coaches had us ready,” said Newel. “This makes it all worth it,” said Morgan Park coach Jeremy Gold. “The kids and my coaching staff did an excellent job. I told them at the beginning of the season to stick with us.”

“We played five freshmen on both sides of the ball and it caught up with us,” said Elton Harris.

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