Two fourth-quarter touchdowns leads Mark Morris over Hudson’s Bay 26-14

LONGVIEW  — Hudson’s Bay entered halftime tied and holding all the momentum Friday night at Longview Memorial Stadium but got back on the bus wondering what might have been following a 26-14 loss to Mark Morris in a 2A Greater St. Helens League tilt that doubled as the Monarchs’ homecoming.

“We just didn’t capitalize on the opportunities that presented themselves,” Hudson’s Bay coach Mark Oliverio said. “We just did not get it done.”

But an hour or so before that, the vibes were much different for the visitors. After forcing a turnover on downs with 14 seconds left in the first half the Eagles were high stepping into the locker room after quarterback Michael Miller hit Saith Elguea-Zarate for a 41-yard touchdown strike on their first play of the drive.

That flash bang connection made the score 14-14 after the teams traded scores to open the contest.

Mark Morris quarterback Carter Huhta got the scoring started with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Deker Bartell midway through the first quarter. That play was set up by a 25-yard connection to Daniel Kobayashi-Gallagher on 4th down on the previous set of downs.

The Eagles got back to even late in the first quarter when Taiese Telea, a running back who tips the scales at more than 280 pounds, sent Mark Morris defenders scattering on a 34-yard touchdown run. When the point after kick went through the uprights Hudson’s Bay had its first and only lead of the game.

The hosts went back to the air for their answer back with Huhta once again getting the ball to Bartell. This time their connection went for 41 yards as Bartell zigged all the way across the field after receiving a short pass and then cut directly due west for the most efficient route to cover the final 35 yards to the end zone.

And while Hudson’s Bay would bust off its own big pass play before the end of the half, there was not enough juice left in the box for the Eagles in the second half when they were held scoreless and turned the ball over on downs on several occasions.

“It’s tough when you get those plays but you don’t get quite enough of them,” Oliverio added. “They made more plays than we did and that was the ultimate deciding factor.”

Telea led the Eagles with 104 punishing rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Xavier Lions added 67 yards on 18 carries, while Miller threw for 68 yards and a touchdown on 19 passing attempts.

And while the end result wasn’t what any of the Eagles were looking for, there were still performances that warranted acknowledgment.

“(Mark Morris) took a lot of deep shots and I thought our secondary really rose to the challenge of that and I thought played well by holding them in check,” Oliverio said.

On the other sideline, the Monarchs were led by their signal caller who threw for both first half touchdowns. By the end, Huhta had tallied 177 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air, while running in another touchdown and a two-point conversion. Bartell caught five of those passes for 80 yards and both touchdowns.

Kenny Mullen powered the Mark Morris ground attack, notching the go-ahead score on a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter. He finished with 89 rushing yards on 16 carries and pulled down an interception late in the game to douse the last of the Eagles’ hopes of a comeback.

Mark Morris (2-3, 2-1 league) will host Ridgefield next Friday at 7 p.m.

Hudson’s Bay (0-5, 0-3 league) will play at Washougal next Friday at 7 p.m.

MARK MORRIS 26, HUDSON’S BAY 14

Hudson’s Bay 7 7 0 0 – 14

Mark Morris 6 8 0 12 – 26

First quarter

MM – Deker Bartell 9 pass from Carter Huhta (kick failed)

HB – Taiese Telea 34 run (kick good)

Second quarter

MM – Bartell 44 pass from Huhta (Huhta run)

HB – Saith Elguea-Zarate 41 pass from Michael Miller (kick good)

Fourth quarter

MM – Kenny Mullen 12 run (kick failed)

MM – Huhta 2 run (kick failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING —Hudson’s Bay: Lions 18-67, Miller 6-14, Telea 11-104, Hatton 8-13; Mark Morris: Mullen 16-89, Huhta 2-3, Schlecht 1-(-3), Stephens 2-3, Elliot 3-7, Bartel 1-1.