Mustangs trample Jimmies

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Morningside's offense took no time to get rolling for the second week in a row, taking a 7-0 lead on its second possession of this week's game and not looking back on the way to a 59-7 final score.

The Mustangs might have scored earlier, but a 46-yard toss from Joe Dolincheck to Zach Norton that flipped the field resulted in a fumble, giving Jamestown the ball on its 32 yard line. Morningside's defense stayed true to form, quickly forcing the Jimmies to punt.

Ryan Cole punched in Morningside's first score, crossing the goal line after a 17-yard carry. Chase Carter's point after attempt made it 7-0 in favor of the visitors.

Norton would redeem himself on the next drive, capping a 70-yard drive with an 8-yard catch to go up 14-0.

It looked like Jamestown was in a position to get on the board before the end of the first quarter, setting up for a 31 yard field goal, but Joshua Miller thought otherwise, blocking the kick and recovering it on Morningside's 22 yard line. 

The Mustangs would move the ball down the field following Miller's block, with Dolincheck finding Jack Sievert for the score on the other side of the quarter break.

As Morningside's defense continued to work, the offense also settled into a rhythm, with Cole capping a 34 second drive with a 14 yard score on the next possession. 

Another score for Cole was followed by an interception, returned 65 yards, by Drew Bessey. Dolincheck found Johnson on the next play for a 10-yard touchdown pass, giving the Mustangs a 42-0 advantage.

The Jimmies did finally get on the board with 2:32 to play in the half. Undeterred, Morningside shaved more than a minute off the clock, with Norton's number being called again, giving the Mustangs the 49-7 advantage that they would hold at the half.

Chase Carter would get a challenge early in the second half, being called upon for a 45-yard field goal. The senior's kick had the distance, sailing through the uprights to give the visitors a 52-7 advantage.

Dolincheck and company would get one more drive, finding Johnson again for a 12-yard reception that would end up being the final score of the contest.

Dolincheck threw for 503 yards on the day, including five touchdowns and one interception. Norton was the favorite target, connecting for 11 receptions and 196 yards, including two scores. Johnson had eight catches for 135 yards and two scores of his own.

Cole continued to be the featured back, with 20 attempts and 115 yards on the day. He had 3 touchdowns on the day.

On Defense, Gage Haake and Joshua Miller each had six total tackles. Haake's included two tackles for losses. Lonell Boyd Jr., Weston Schultz, Jalen Portis, Isaac Pingel, and Colton Dreith each had five total tackles. Schultz had two sacks on the day, for 13 yards, and Dreith had one.

Chase Carter went 1-for-1 with his 45-yard field goal, and connected for eight extra points in eight attempts. 

Morningside, now 6-0, is at Mount Marty next week, with a 1 p.m. contest scheduled in Yankton, S.D.