The Morton football team Friday won its first season opener since 2005.
The Potters amassed 303 rushing yards in a 32-8 victory over Normal U-High at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium.
“We felt real good about the way we played,” MHS head coach Jason Thiry said.
Four Morton running backs ran for more than 50 yards, led by Tristan Popadziuk’s 97 on 23 carries.
Fernandez Bjork racked up 70 yards on the ground, Andrew Starkey 63 and DJ Zahn 56.
Zahn’s two-yard TD run in the final seconds of the first half expanded the Potters’ edge to 13-0 at intermission.
He hit pay dirt twice in the third quarter as Morton pulled away in the non-conference matchup.
It was 32-0 early in the fourth period after a Bjork 36-yard scamper to the end zone.
Popadziuk opened the scoring with 3:08 left in the first quarter on a six-yard burst.
“Our running backs, we felt, ran hard all night north-south and our line got off the ball,” said Thiry. “We’ll try to get better each week.”
Quarterback David Rossi was 5-for-7 for 50 yards in his debut, finding four different receivers.
One area the Potters want to improve is special teams. It missed three of five extra points not handling the ball well.
Kyle Hoefft led Morton with seven tackles. Ryan Wiegand, Brennen Williams and Austin Walschaert had five apiece.
Dalton White made two interceptions. Williams and Zahn also picked off passes.
“We stuck with the game plan and got after it,” Thiry said. “I was pleased to see that.”
