Advertisement

Ensworth holds off MBA in OT

Darius Morehead’s 3-yard touchdown run in overtime gave Ensworth a thrilling 50-44 win over host MBA on Thursday night.

Morehead’s winning touchdown came after Trent Holt sacked MBA quarterback Cole Euverard and forced a fumble on MBA’s overtime possession.

“What a nice play that was,” Ensworth coach Ricky Bowers said. “Turnovers are almost always the difference in close games. Almost always, and we only had one turnover in the game.”

The game-winner was the fifth touchdown for Morehead, who finished with a game-high 260 yards rushing.

“I just followed my blockers,” Morehead said. “All the credit goes to them. They did what they did, and I just followed behind them.”

More: Top high school games for Week 6

Euverard completed 17 of 25 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 103 yards and a score on 23 carries.

“I just told the guys it’s a two-possession game. All we need is a chance,” said Euverard, who was celebrating his birthday Thursday. “I had two fumbles and an interception, and those are on me, but I’m just real proud of my team for picking me up. Heck, even one of our trainers who is a senior came over to me and said, ‘Keep fighting.’ That’s the kind of school we have, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”


Ensworth running back Darius Morehead speeds past MBA defensive back Austin Rolfe (7) for a touchdown in the first half Thursday.

MBA pulled off some fourth-quarter heroics just to force overtime.

Ensworth (5-1, 3-1 DII-AA East/Middle) scored 13 points in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth.

However, MBA (1-2, 5-2) scored 14 points in 40 seconds, thanks to two Euverard touchdown passes, and tied things at 44 with just 23 seconds left.

Ensworth’s P.J. Settles then connected on two completions for 34 yards, setting up a 44-yard field-goal attempt by Quin Cochran with four seconds remaining. The kick wasn’t close, sending the game into overtime.

After falling down by 14 late, MBA kept things interesting, scoring a touchdown with 1:05 remaining. Euverard hit Austin Rolfe on a 6-yard strike to cut the lead to 44-37.

Euverard then hit Austin Rolfe on a 7-yard scoring strike with 23 seconds left after Jordan Wilson recovered an onside kick.

MBA led 14-10 at halftime, but the offensive fireworks took off in the second half. Ensworth scored 20 unanswered points. Settles had a 20-yard scoring run, and Morehead ran in from 46 and 3 yards out to give the Ensworth a 30-14 advantage.

Euverard’s 46-yard pass to Derrick Tusie cut the lead to 30-22, but Rico McGraw answered with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for Ensworth.

Euverard then hit Chandler on a 60-yard scoring strike to trim the lead to seven, but Ensworth again answered with Morehead’s fourth touchdown — a 5-yard run — to go back up by two scores (44-30). That set up MBA’s last-minute comeback.

“It was really whoever had the ball, they had the momentum,” Bowers said. “I don’t think either one of us stopped each other.”

Ensworth quarterback P.J. Settles (5) and running back Darius Morehead (3) celebrate Morehead’s touchdown in the second half.

Ensworth quarterback P.J. Settles (5) and running back Darius Morehead (3) celebrate Morehead’s touchdown in the second half.

Ensworth running back Darius Morehead speeds past the MBA defense for a touchdown in the second half Thursday.

Ensworth running back Darius Morehead speeds past the MBA defense for a touchdown in the second half Thursday.

More Gallery