‘Next Man Up’
Airedales’ Taylor, and Morris sparkle during team’s gritty 35-32 win over Hot Springs
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Banged-up players are part of football.
But on Friday, the Airedales found another gear when it counted while stopping Hot Springs, 35-32, for its second win in a row.
"The kids stepped up in a big way, and I couldn't be prouder of all of them," Alma coach Rusty Bush said. "This was a great team win."
Alma's beleaguered defensive unit was on the field for 85 plays, allowing a season-high 570 total yards, including 324 through the air.
But when they needed a play, they made it.
Easton Daily's fourth down stop gave the ball back to Alma. And after Landon Morris slithered his way for 9 yards, Michael Taylor went into victory formation.
"We came out and executed today," Taylor said. "No. 7, Landon Morris, came out and played a game. We didn't have Izzy (Isreal Towns-Robinson) but we got the job done. I'm just so proud of this team."
Alma (2-1) travels to Harrison on Sept. 27, and the week off couldn't come at a better time.
In Towns-Robinson's absence, it was a 'next man up mantra that paved the way for the team's biggest victory in recent memory. Morris caught two touchdown passes then put the team on his back late in the game by running for 32 yards on just six carries and setting up Jacob Dollard's go-ahead TD run on the clinching drive.
"The coaches called on me and I was ready for it," Morris said. "I believe in all of my blockers and will do it for them (teammates). I just put my head down and ran."
Alma took a 21-14 lead after one quarter thanks to Taylor's short TD run, Sam Schlegel's 66-yard touchdown burst, and a 47-yard TD reception to Morris.
Taylor threw a 14-yard TD strike to Morris with 8:23 left in the half to make it 28-14.
Hot Springs quarterback Sean Elia accounted for almost 450 yards in offense alone, including 323 passing yards.
But he threw two interceptions, first to Izaac Plourde and later to Schlegel.
The Trojans (1-2) began to chip away, and after closing to within two (28-26), grabbed a 32-28 lead with 5:12 left in the game.
But Taylor's patience and precision running from Dollard and Morris saw the visitors go back in front less than 90 seconds later.
My name is Easton
The Daily name is as synonymous with Alma football as Gatorade is to keep players fresh.
Marvin, Adam, Jackson, Lee.
In Friday's win over Hot Springs, Easton Daily started the game by blocking a punt and nearly carrying the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. His first-quarter special teams play led to Michael Taylor's short TD run three minutes into the game.
In the fourth quarter, with Hot Springs driving for a potential go-ahead touchdown, Daily broke through on fourth-and-one and stuffed Trojans’ running back Robert Blevins two yards in the backfield to help secure the win.
Birthday boys
Alma offensive coordinator Payton Morris won't soon forget his 28th birthday.
Morris called on Landon Morris to fill in for Israel Towns-Robinson and used three of the team's best defenders, Ashton Chanhnovoug, Cash Farris, and Landon Morris, as offensive weapons.
Morris caught two touchdown passes and Chanhnovoung and Farris combined for 3 receptions and 44 yards, two of the catches leading to first downs.
Morris had two receptions for 61 yards and carried the ball six times for 32 yards.
Taylor, who celebrated his birthday earlier in the week, passed for a career-high 170 yards (12-of-18) and two scores. He also added 18 yards rushing.
Dollard's late TD
Jacob Dollard found less space than the previous week against Siloam Springs. But when it counted the most, the senior halfback bulled his way in for a six-yard, go-ahead TD run with 3:38 left to play.
Dollard finished the game with 29 yards rushing on 13 carries and caught three passes for 15 yards.