Kaneland takes down Morris

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:18PM

MAPLE PARK – Kaneland left no doubt Friday, scoring early, often and nearly every way imaginable in its 47-7 victory over Morris to wrap up the inaugural Northern Illinois Big 12 East Conference title with a perfect record.

"Give them all the credit in the world, because that's a real good team," said Morris coach Alan Thorson, whose team moves on to the playoffs with a 6-3 overall record (3-2 in the league).

"They are so versatile. They can spread you out. They can throw and the quarterback and running backs can run."

The Knights (9-0 and 5-0) struck quickly, with Quinn Buschbacher motoring 61 yards on a wide receiver screen pass from quarterback Joe Camiliere on the first play of the game. He took the ball to the Morris 13.

From there, 6-foot-5, 230-pound Tyler Callaghan split wide then came in motion back towards the line. He cut off left tackle Alex Snyder and Camiliere ran unmolested for the score. Freshman Matt Rodriguez delivered the first of five PAT kicks and the Knights had a 7-0 lead just 21 seconds into the game.

It appeared it might be a shootout when Morris answered with a five-play, 55-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 30-yard scoring pass from Austin Feeney to 6-5 Kjeld Torkelson just 2:20 into the game.

The Knights stalled on their next drive but then scored five times to take a 41-7 lead at half. The defense, meanwhile, was shutting down the Redskin attack.

"(Defensive coordinator) Joe (Thorgesen) made some adjustments and the kids did a nice job," said Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly.

Camiliere capped a five-play, 44-yard drive with another scoring run, this one from five yards out and then Central Michigan-bound Blake Serpa came up with the first of several big plays, busting through the middle of the Morris line to block a Redskin punt.

"I was surprised I got through the line and then just stuck my hand up," said Serpa, who will travel to DeKalb today to catch his future team play NIU. "The ball bounced right into my hands."

He motored 30 yards for the score.

Later, in the second quarter he ran a route down the sideline, hauled in a Camiliere pass and outran his defender for an 81-yard scoring pass.

"That's what we like," said Fedderly. "He's a special athlete. He's so big (6-2, 225) they don't think he can run that fast."

Camiliere was also special, completing nine of 13 passes for 245 yards and two scores. The second was an 11-yarder to Buschbacher.

Taylor Andrews added a 75-yard interception return for the Knights and reserve running back Curtis Secrest xclosed it out with a 24-yard run.

Kaneland finished with 410 total yards to 240 for the Redskins.

Feeney, who completed his first four passes for 57 yards but then completed just two of his next 12, finished 12 for 28 for 149 yards.

The Knights finished a perfect regular season for the first time since 1998, when they won the second of two straight state titles.

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