Second half burst surges Mark Morris to 41-25 win over Battle Ground

The Battle Ground High School football team had designs of opening up its 100th season of football with a bang. Mark Morris, however, spoiled the party.

The Monarchs took over midway through the third quarter scoring 22 straight points to turn a close game into a 41-25 win. The game was the season opener for both teams.

After Battle Ground (0-1) scored on its opening possession to pull to within a point at 19-18, Mark Morris utilized its giant offense line, which averages 275 pounds a player, and went back to its wing-T offense and controlled the line of scrimmage and ultimately, the game. The Monarchs scored touchdowns on three straight possessions and never looked back.

Deacon Dietz paced Mark Morris (1-0) in the first half, rushing for 101 yards and two touchdowns including a 76-yard run to open the scoring. Desbiens was an efficient 12 of 15 passing for 153 yards and two touchdowns, both to Langston Bartlett.

Battle Ground senior quarterback Kameron Spencer threw for 219 yards and three scores, one each to Angel Lopez, Reid Davis and Michael Kennedy. He also rushed for a team-high 36 yards.

Next week, the Tigers travel to Centralia while the Monarchs play host to Astoria.

MARK MORRIS 41, BATTLE GROUND 25

MM  7 12 8 14—41

BG 6 6 6 7—25

 First quarter

MM — Deacon Dietz 76 run (Kellen Desbiens kick)

BG — Leithen Reynolds 1 run (kick blocked)

Second quarter

MM — Langston Bartell 62 pass from Desbiens (kick missed)

BG — Angel Lopez 15 pass from Kameron Spencer (kick missed)

MM — Dietz 15 run (run failed)

Third quarter

BG — Reid Davis 19 pass from Spencer (run failed)

MM — Justus McCann 3 run (Bartell pass from Desbiens)

Fourth quarter

MM — Bartlett 6 pass from Desbiens (Dossen Morrow pass from Desbiens)

MM — Rylan Jewell 13 run (run failed)

BG — Michael Kennedy 16 pass from Spencer (Bryland Fick kick)

 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Mark Morris: Dietz 9-116, McCann 10-35, Morrow 3-22, Jewell 1-13, Kobe Parlin 2-12, Cade Warren 2-9, Kenneth Mullen 2-1, Desbiens 2-1, Team 1-(-6). Battle Ground: Spencer 12-36, Reynolds 8-31, Lopez 4-8, Kennedy 1-4, Team 1-(-19).

PASSING  — Mark Morris: Desbiens 12-15-153-2, Warren 1-1-3. Battle Ground: Spencer 16-31-219-3.

RECEIVING — Mark Morris: Bartell 3-88, Parlin 4-40, Carter Kiser 1-22, Morrow 2-5, McCann 1-3, Dietz 2-(-2). Battle Ground: Lopez 5-68, Grayson Gambee 3-59, Reid Davis 2-28, Munro Smith 4-27, Cody Clarke 1-21, Kennedy 1-16.