Morse shuts down Mira Mesa to advance in Division 2 playoffs: 5 takeaways

Morse advances to play Santa Fe Christian in the D2 quarterfinals.

SAN DIEGO – Morse running backs Jaycob Hicks and Francisco Martinez
combined for four rushing touchdowns in the Tigers 24-7 first round playoff
victory over Mira Mesa Friday night. Morse will travel to Santa Fe Christian
for round two next Friday. Below are five takeaways from the Tigers’ win.

Top Performers:

Morse converted two 4th downs on their opening
drive that was capped off by a Jaycob Hicks touchdown run. After forcing a
three-and-out, Morse drove back down and scored as the first quarter expired,
this time on a Francisco Martinez 25-yard touchdown run.

Morse got the ball back after forcing another 3-and-out and
scored once again when Francisco Martinez took the snap and snuck right up the
middle unnoticed for a 24-yard touchdown run.

Martinez and Hicks each ran for two touchdowns on the night.

Morse doesn’t rely on much of a passing game, but freshman Johnny Mosti was pressed into action and came up big with several passes that resulted in first downs and kept drives going.

They Said It:

“I had seen a post on social media this week that had me feeling some type of way.”

That’s what junior running back Jaycob Hicks said after the game when asked about the revenge factor in this week’s game.

It Was Over When:

Mira Mesa received the 2nd half kickoff but
managed only one first down before punting the ball back to Morse. Jaycob Hicks
responded by taking the snap and finding a hole outside for a 43-yard touchdown
run that gave Morse an insurmountable lead considering how their defense was
playing.

Flip the Script:

Just two weeks ago these two teams squared off in an Eastern
League battle that was won by Mira Mesa 28-6. Friday’s game could not have been
more different as the Tigers were able to set the tone early with their power
rushing attack.

Morse Head Coach Tracy McNair was quick to point out what he
thought was a big difference from the previous game.

“Well they were missing (Elijah Thomas) who was hurt against
Madison, so I think that’s a big part of their offense and a big part of their
defense that they lost.”

Throughout the game Morse shifted several linemen just prior
to the snap to overload one side of the ball, which tested Mira Mesa’s
discipline. The Marauders fell for it the first two times that Morse attempted
it, including once on a 4th down play that drew an encroachment and
extended the Tigers drive.

“Just to draw them offsides,” Francisco Martinez said. “If we all shift, we could get (Faavae Leomiti) to shift to the other side.”

Defensive Lockdown:

Mira Mesa had struggled on offense throughout the year but
had seemingly turned it around by winning two of three games to finish out the regular
season.

The Tigers set the tone early on defense forcing the
Marauders into consecutive three-and-outs to begin their night.

“Tonight, we were more focused, we were on task, came up with a plan and locked in at practice,” said junior defensive back Elijah Greene who grabbed an interception late in the 3rd quarter.

Mira Mesa only managed three first downs in the 1st half, all of them coming on consecutive pass interference calls on a drive that ended in a turnover on downs.