Metamora wins offensive showcase at Morton

[ad_1] MORTON — Jaiduan Cranford minimize, juked and sprinted by means of the Morton protection.

The Metamora senior accounted for 276 yards from scrimmage and 4 touchdowns whereas serving to the Redbirds knock off the beforehand unbeaten and Class 5A fourth-ranked Potters, 43-40, on Friday evening at Carper Area.

However all of the 5-foot-9, 190-pound operating again may do was give credit score to these massive guys up entrance.

“I can provide all of it as much as my offensive line,” the Northern Illinois commit stated. “We had changes coming into this recreation and executed them proper. … They helped me get within the place I'm proper now.”

Cranford ran behind left tackles Jeffery Reyes and Tyler Grey to go along with left guard Evan Grove, middle Owen Cabell, proper guard Riley Blue, proper sort out Logan Grap and tight finish Elijah Edwards, accounting for 3 first-half TDs.

This included a stretch the place back-to-back drives resulted in consecutive Cranford scores – a 53-yard and 61-yard scampers to the endzone. He completed with 206 dashing yards on 15 carries, together with a 38-yard TD to provide the Redbirds a 28-21 lead at halftime.

“Offensively, I believed we had an actual good circulate within the first half,” Metamora coach Nick Delinski stated, “and Jaiduan is fairly particular. (We) form of combined it up slightly bit to provide him slightly bit completely different look than it was final week and clearly, he took benefit of that within the first half.”

Cranford shook off final week’s 24-0 loss to Washington the place he was held to no yards on six carries.

This week, Cranford was a part of an thrilling 43-point second quarter throughout which Morton (3-1, 1-1) answered practically each Redbirds rating. Potters operating again Keenan Smith (16-yard TD run), Brody Watson (73-yard kickoff return TD) and quarterback Isaac Davis (12-yard TD run) accounted for the Morton scoring earlier than halftime.

“I noticed lots of combat,” Morton junior Soren Fifer stated of what his takeaway from the defeat. “I didn’t see something essentially unhealthy. … Clearly, we misplaced the sport, however I feel we actually picked up it up collectively and that is only a actually massive studying second.”

How Metamora gained the sport After Morton went forward 33-28 within the fourth, Cranford atoned for a muffed punt that arrange Smith’s 5-yard TD. Metamora QB Stephen Petri hit Cranford on a display screen move and watched him race 70 untouched for the go-ahead rating.

Profitable the Mid-Illini Convention continues to be a aim for the Class 4A Tenth-ranked Redbirds (3-1, 1-1).

“Figuring out that we acquired to get after it,” Cranford stated of his workforce’s refocus after the Week 3 loss, “if desire a have likelihood to win convention, in order that was very massive for us.”

Morton's QB Davis didn’t play the second half and was seen on the sideline with ice wrapped round his left wrist. This compelled Brody Fritz into motion. Fritz, a 6-0, 170-pound sophomore, completed 7-of-10 passing with 173 yards and threw a pair of TDs. His 59-yard strike to Brody Pinter set the ultimate rating.

Petri, who threw for 195 yards and rushed for 51 with three TDs, intercepted Fritz halfway by means of the ultimate interval.

“We acquired some errors that we are able to clear up,” stated Morton coach Adam O’Neill, whose workforce had 100 yards of penalties. “Simply fundamentals. I feel we’ll be higher for this. … Every thing’s nonetheless in entrance of us.”

Morton wideout Matt Sander caught six passes for 101 yards together with a 45-yard rating. Smith added 75 on the bottom to go along with two scores, serving to the Potters posted 241 passing yards and 158 dashing yards.

Jayson Pickles posted 50 receiving yards on 4 catches, including a 9-yard, fourth-quarter insurance coverage TD for the Redbirds, who had 454 yards of whole offense.