Tondini makes key rejection

Morris quarterback Drew Hanson (6) looks down field.
(Larry Kane / Special to the Herald News)

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Morris controlled the clock and came up with enough big plays to hang on for a 10-9 victory over visiting Marian Central on Saturday night in the Class 5A semifinals.

The Redskins (11-2) kept the ball away from Marian Central quarterback Jon Budmayr by keeping possession for 19:36 in the first half and taking a 10-0 lead.

‘‘The first half was huge,’’ said Morris quarterback Drew Hanson (10-for-17, 62 yards) said. ‘‘We were able to run time off the clock and limit them having the ball. Their quarterback is the best I’ve ever seen, but we had a fantastic game by our defense.’’

Morris got on the board on a 33-yard field goal by David Balzer in the first quarter. After Marian Central fumbled a punt away at its 3, Hanson (16 carries, 68 yards) scored on a one-yard run to give the Redskins a 10-0 lead with 6:07 left in the second quarter.

The Hurricanes (10-3) scored on a 20-yard field goal by Sean Cwynar, and Budmayr added a two-yard touchdown run with 5:06 left in the third quarter. But Cwynar’s extra-point attempt was blocked by Morris’ Adam Tondini.

‘‘We’ve been working on the ‘overload right’ all year,’’ Tondini said. ‘‘We had never got it but we picked a good time to get it there. It was still kind of early, but that was huge.’’

With Marian Central facing a third-and-two at the Morris 15, Tondini and his twin brother, Drew, were in on consecutive stops as the Hurricanes only gained one yard in two plays and turned the ball over on downs at the Morris 14 with 3:40 left. Adam Tondini then gained six yards on a third-and-four play and followed that with a 10-yard run as the Redskins ran out the clock.

‘‘At the end I just put my head down and knew we had to get it,’’ said Adam Tondini. ‘‘Now we are going to state.’’

Budmayr finished 9-for-20 for 163 yards and one interception. The Hurricanes outgained Morris 205-183, but could not overcome three turnovers and could not muster more than nine points despite getting as close as the Morris 27 on five occasions.