Elgin's Town Jug goes back to Larkin
With the turn of an ankle, a little-used player became the biggest reason Larkin was able to pull away in the fourth quarter and beat rival Elgin 27-13 at Memorial Field Friday.
When Larkin starting running back Chevelle Clements hurt his ankle with 7:57 left in the fourth quarter of a 13-13 tie after having rushed for 100 yards, backup Kindrel "No Mo" Morris entered and made an immediate impact.
A 5-foot-7, 160-pound sophomore, Morris carried the ball on 7 of the Royals' next 9 plays and gained 51 yards to drive his team inside the 10-yard line.
Facing fourth-and-2 from the 6-yard line, Larkin coach Dragan Teonic called timeout when he saw the Elgin defense line up heavily in the middle. When the Royals returned to the field, quarterback David Hibbler rolled to his right and feathered a soft pass into the hands of senior Keion Adams for the go-ahead touchdown with 4:46 to play.
"They covered the center, both guards, both tackles," Teonic said of the Elgin defense. "We knew we were undersized and couldn't handle that kind of a front so we called timeout. We said if they line back up in that again we're going to sprint out of there, get away from that pressure with our athletic quarterback and give ourselves a run-pass option, a chance to make a play."
For Adams, it was the biggest of his 5 receptions for 66.
"The quarterback could keep it or he could throw it and put faith into his receivers," Adams said. "He put faith in us. When he put that ball up, he knew one of us was going to go get it. I took the initiative to go get the ball and make a play for my team."
Adams then took the wind out of Elgin's sails when he intercepted a Patrick Gallagher pass at his own 7-yard line with 3:27 left. It was his second interception of the game, helping the Royals win the turnover battle 3-1.
Then it was more Morris. Running to the weak side of the field continually, the shifty back broke loose for a 70-yard gain to the Elgin 15-yard line. He then finished off the Maroons with a 15-yard touchdown run via the same play to give the Royals a 26-13 lead with 2:44 remaining. Freshman Adriel Hernandez's extra point made it 27-13 and returned the traveling Town Jug trophy to Elgin's west side after a year's absence.
"It's a great feeling because it's Elgin, the Jug, and it was my first opportunity," said Morris, who rushed for all 155 yards on 12 fourth-quarter carries. "They told me I was going to get chances to do what I can, and I just capitalized on the opportunity I was given."
Elgin (0-8, 0-5 Upstate Eight River) dropped its ninth straight overall. First-year coach Anthony Mason said he had a simple message for his team in the aftermath.
"When (Larkin) was celebrating and cheering like they're cheering in that locker room right now, it's a matter of let that drive you," Mason said. "Let that be the reason you wake up in the morning, let that be the reason why you're not lazy, let that be the reason you continue to fight and push. For our underclassmen, let that be the reason you work hard and get ready for next year."
Hibbler finished with 20 carries for 134 yards as the Royals rushed for 377 yards.
The victory snapped a 20-game losing streak for Larkin (1-7, 1-4) and gave Teonic his first victory as Larkin coach in his 17th attempt.
"It feels great for the kids, not for me," Teonic said. "I'm proud of them. They've worked really hard. I know every coach says that, but they have really worked really hard. And to finally taste victory is good. It was needed."