Morgan holds on for win over Judge

MORGAN -- A game that started as a blowout sure didn't end that way.

The Morgan Trojans raced out to a 21-0 lead in their Region 11 battle against Judge Memorial, but the Bulldogs valiantly fought back and were even driving for the game-tying score with less than two minutes to play, but with a little help the Trojans held on for a thrilling 35-28 victory. It is the 400th win in Morgan history.

With 1:53 left in the game and the ball on Morgan's 23-yard line and momentum on the Bulldogs' side, Judge quarterback Daniel Shiramizu lined up under center to take the snap. But mysteriously -- no one on Morgan could quite explain what happened - Shiramizu never got the ball. Somehow it squirted about 10 feet into air right into the waiting arms of Johnny-on-the-Spot Cameron Streadbeck, who fell to the ground clutching the ball, preserving the win for the Trojans.

"I have no idea what happened on that play," Morgan coach Kovi Christiansen said. "I'm gonna have to watch it again on film. It was a break that went our way after having a couple that didn't."

"It was crazy, that's for sure," Trojans' running back Jordan Wamsley said. "Judge is a great team. This is the first time I've ever beat Judge at anything. Football, baseball, you name it. It feels good to finally get them. They always play us tough, so it was a good win."

It was a case of justice for Wamsley, who despite his game-high 193 yards rushing and two amazing touchdowns, uncharacteristically fumbled the ball away twice, one of which was returned 82 yards for a Judge Memorial touchdown.

But Morgan coach Kovi Christiansen was not about to lay any blame at Wamsley's feet.

"When you give the ball to one person so much, those things are bound to happen," Christiansen said. "But he's who we're gonna ride. He's our leader. He's captain for a reason. He makes a lot more plays in our favor than he ever does against us."

Wamsley had touchdown runs of 56 and 33 yards. The shorter one was the more impressive one. The 5-9 senior was grabbed, held, and one defender even grabbed Wamsley's jersey and held on, but no one could bring him down until he dove into the end zone to give Morgan a 35-21 lead.

Lawson Toomer also reached the century mark for the Trojans, rushing for 102 yards and a TD on 17 carries. In all, Morgan had 399 yards rushing, while Judge finished with 205.

The win was Morgan's 400th in school history and kept the Trojans undefeated in league play, setting up a showdown with Juan Diego next week.

"It's gonna be a huge game," Wamsley said. "I'm already so excited."