Anderson’s late touchdown helps Mark Morris lock up playoff berth with win over Woodland

Mark Morris’ Jaden Anderson only had one carry on the night. But boy did he make it count.

With just over two minutes left in regulation and his team clinging to a seven-point lead the Monarchs faced a third-and-one from the Woodland Beaver 40 yard line. The senior running back took the handoff and not only picked up the first down but took it all the way to the end zone. It proved to be the nail in the coffin as the Monarchs defeated the Beavers 34-15 in a 2A Greater St. Helens League matchup at Beaver Stadium.

With the win the Monarchs (4-3 in league play, 4-4 overall) clinched the third seed from the 2A GSHL in the district playoffs.

Earlier in the quarter the Beavers (2-5, 2-6) scored to pull to within seven points and seemingly recovered an onside kick. However a Woodland player touched the ball before it went 10 yards and Mark Morris took over possession and three plays later Anderson raced into the end zone.

Deacon Dietz soon added a 41-yard punt return to wrap up a 26-point fourth quarter for the Monarchs. Mark Morris closes out the season with its annual Civil War matchup with crosstown rival R.A. Long.

Brett Martynowicz threw for 121 yards and a touchdown for Woodland, who ends its season with a game at second-ranked Ridgefield.

MARK MORRIS 34, WOODLAND 15

Mark Morris 0 8 0 26—34

Woodland 0 0 8 7—15

Second Quarter

MM — Justus McCann 7 run (Benjamin Whiteside run)

Third Quarter

W — Dalton Beassie 2 run (Beassie run)

Fourth Quarter

MM — Langston Bartell 28 pass from Kellen Desbiens (Jaden Anderson run)

MM — Deacon Dietz 18 run (run failed)

W — Justin Philpot 2 pass from Brett Martynowicz (Jacob Potts kick)

MM — Jaden Anderson 40 run (kick blocked)

MM — Dietz 41 punt return (run failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Mark Morris – Deacon Dietz 7-62, Tim Sears 13-56, Jaden Anderson 1-40, Justus McCann 4-20, Kellen Desbiens 4-18, Cade Warren 2-3. Woodland – Dalton Beassie 12-35, Elijah Anderson 7-10, Brett Martynowicz 4-(-18).

PASSING — Mark Morris – Kellen Desbiens 6-13-0-68. Woodland – Brett Martynowicz 14-31-0-121.

RECEIVING: Mark Morris – Langston Bartell 2-37, Deacon Dietz 2-21, Justus McCann 1-7, Jaxon Eaton 1-3. Woodland – Mark Morales 1-32, Justin Philpot 4-31, Dalton Beassie 3-24, Daeton Lofgren 5-23, Mateo Gutridge 1-11, Ignacio De Jesus 1-8.