Game Report: Tosa West Trojan Fireworks Light Up the Night Against Tosa East

I watched the game (Fri, Aug 23)… so I figure I may as well tell it like it was:

The Wauwatosa West offense sputtered on their first possession of the 2013 season against their cross-town rivals – the Tosa East Red Raiders. Sputtering offense? Where was the quick-hitting speed? Where were the downfield bombs?

Patience, Tosa West football fans. The fuse was lit, just a bit delayed. The Friday fireworks were about to light the evening sky... and help us forget about road construction.  When the smoke and dust cleared – the Trojans were 54 – 0 winners over Wauwatosa East.

The Trojans second possession score was a flash.  Senior quarterback Jared Morzinski saw fellow senior Jameson Brock flying down the left sideline and launched a high-arching pass that Brock gathered in and finished for a 65 yard score. On their next defensive series, junior Zach Veit went high to pick off a Red Raider pass. On the heels of that pick, senior Greg Lewis sprinted 25 yards to pay dirt, and the score was 14 – 0. The Red Raiders continued their giving ways on their next possession – this time the interception was by West senior Niko Lewis. But at the start of the second quarter, West gave the ball back: Lewis made a nice catch of a Morzinski pass but lost the handle on the Red Raider 10 yard line.    

The Red Raiders just couldn’t get much going offensively. Several Trojan defensive stands were highlighted by fine interior play from junior middle linebacker Joe Harrington, and a pair of platooning nose tackles – junior Christian Morzinski and senior Tim Mueller.  Defensive ends – senior Elliot Rogahn and junior Christian Cagle – kept East’s offense well-contained.  Cagle showed savvy and closing speed on two drive-stopping sacks of junior East quarterback Jackson Telderer. 

The Trojans moved the ball at-will in the second quarter. After a Red Raider punt, Morzinski connected with Brock on a 45 yard scoring pass. This play showed good chemistry between two seniors, as the ball was again caught in-stride just beyond the Red Raider coverage.  Another East punt was followed by a 15 yard power run by Trojan junior Demaris Purifoy.  On their next offensive series Zach Veit caught a laser in the end zone from 20 yards out. This was the Trojan’s third passing touchdown and wrapped up first-half scoring, Trojans leading 35 – 0. On the night, Morzinski had seven attempts, five completions and a gaudy 175 total passing yards.  

In the second half the Trojans ‘ran clock’ by moving the ball on the ground.  Purifoy – who led all rushers with 72 yards – scored from two yards.  Later in the third quarter, senior cornerback Develyn Ferguson picked off a Red Raider pass and darted 40 yards to the house to make the score 48-0.  The Red Raiders kept fighting to move the ball, but things just weren’t clicking. A final fourth-quarter pass was picked off by West junior Matt Lundell, leading to the final score of the night, a four yard flash by junior Josh Soles.

Several Trojan special team plays were notable.  Brock showed quickness and speed returning punts. Kicker Zach Veit made six-of-eight extra points. Senior Robert-Henry Davis, junior Devin Tucker and sophomore C.J. Fields made sure tackles to maintain great field position. 

That’s it for the game summary – comments welcome.  In a few short days ‘game two’ of the season will be upon us: Trojans at home against Milwaukee Vincent [and Red Raiders at home against Nicolet].