by Steven Cutler — A beautiful fall Saturday just meant another business trip for the #1 Morningside Mustangs. This week’s mark in the W column was the Jimmies of Jamestown, who fell victim to Morningside’s second shutout of the season, 61-0.
Of Morningside’s opponents in 2019 so far, the Jamestown may have had the worst record coming in, but the Mustangs still treated this game just as important as any other.
“We approach every game the exact same,” said Morningside head football coach Steven Ryan. “It has a lot to do with the seniors, just their own personal theme that they set for the team: dominate the day.”
Morningside did certainly “dominate the day,” as all three phases of the game scored for the Mustangs. Freshman Jamal Jones pulled in his second pick-six of the season to give Morningside yet another defensive touchdown on the season. Even the special teams got in on the scoring, blocking a punt through the back of the end zone for a safety.
The defensive side of the ball continued to dominate for the Mustangs. Jamestown showed a lot of different formations, but they were all met with a similar response. The Jimmies were held to 123 yards of total offense, and only four passing yards. Coach Ryan explained how the defense was accustomed to seeing multiple different formations because of going against the offense in practice.
The nation’s top offense in total yards per game continued to take care of business, totaling 519 yards on the day. Junior Arnijae Ponder crossed the century mark yet again in rush yards; something the running back has done every game so far this season. Sophomore Quarterback Joe Dolincheck had another efficient game, throwing for 239 yards and four touchdowns, against one incompletion.
The Morningside receiving corps has been hard to guard for opposing defenses this year, and that continued on Saturday. Reid Jurgensmeier continued to find openings in the Jimmy Defense, catching five passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns.
“Reid is an outstanding receiver, and his ability to find seams and soft spots inside the zones is something that he is really good at,” Coach Ryan said when asked about Jurgensmeier’s performance.
Jamestown will look to get back on track when they take on a very tough Midland team next Saturday at home. Jamestown sits ninth in the GPAC at 1-7 (1-5).
Morningside will look to continue its path to another GPAC title when they trek to Mitchell (SD) to face the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers. Morningside is currently in a tie for first in the GPAC with #5 Northwestern at 6-0 (5-0).
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