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Eureka runs away from Conrad, 36-14 |
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Thursday, 13 November 2008 |
 SIDEWAYS SLIDE – Eric Norby hangs on to the football while trying to get around one of the Eureka Lion player as Colby Johns comes up to help in the quarterfinal playoff game held in Eureka Saturday. Photo courtesy of Kelly Martin
Conrad opened the game taking the kickoff, starting at their 39-yard line.
They galloped right down the field with quarterback Josiah Moerkerke and running back Eric Norby moving the yardage markers for first downs.
Used extensively this season, the Cowboy no huddle offense, early on, seemed to have the Lions back on their heels.
On a option play, Moerkerke faked to Norby and pitched to Brandon Philipps who got around the left side and scampered 36 yards for a touchdown, even hurdling a would be tackle at the end to get into the end zone.
The PAT kick was no good and Conrad led 6-0. Their opening drive covered seven plays and took a little over three minutes off the clock.
Eureka got their hands on the ball and began their opening series at the 30-yard line. Earlier in the week, Coach Joe Moerkerke had said, “They like to run-run-run.” And they did.
It took the Lions eight plays, all running, to move downfield for a touchdown. The PAT kick was good and they led 7-6 after the first period and 19-6 at the break.
The Lions, by halftime, had two runners each with over 100-yards, piling up 228 yards of offense on the ground. By contrast, Norby had run for 55.
Conrad got their second score halfway through the fourth period when Moerkerke hit Nathan Gage in the end zone from four yards out on a fourth down play. A two point PAT pass from Moerkerke to Cutter Martin closed the gap to 14-25.
However, the Lions answered right back with a score of their own, making the final 14-32.
Conrad put up 250 yards of offense, 122 of them coming off 14-16 passing by Moerkerke with one TD and no picks, arguably his best game of the year. The Cowboys had 128 yards on the ground.
Norby ran for 58 yards on 12 carries. Philipps 48 yards, Moerkerke 22 and Norman Vanderbush two.
Gage caught three passes for 75 yards, Riley Styren 4-13, Norby 4-20, Philipps 2-20 and Martin 2-10.
Colby Johns led the way on defense with 16 tackles. Knox was right behind with 15, Martin 10, Doug Peters nine, and Norby eight.
Eureka racked up 364 yards; 317 on the ground. One runner picked up 168 yards and another 149.
Coach Joe Moerkerke commented, “It was good experience and a game we could have won.” He went on to add, “Still, I don’t take the loss lightly.”
The Cowboys ended the season with a 6-4 record and can build on that for the next season.
With a number of inexperienced players, a first year line coach and defensive coordinator and a second year head coach, the Cowboys were not expected to do much, so said the picking pundits and a few local folks.
Instead, they went two games deep in the playoffs and have that to build on for next year. Let’s bring it on!
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