Views from No. 6: Morris’ career night propels Rebels to OT win at Boiling Springs
Byrnes wide receiver Ethan Morris caught three touchdown passes for 124 yards to lead Byrnes to a crucial region win.
Ethan Morris wasn’t at 100 percent.
Byrnes’ senior slot receiver was quick to admit it: the effects of a summer hamstring injury hadn’t fully worn off coming into Friday night’s rain-drenched clash with Boiling Springs.
Could’ve fooled them.
Morris put together what Byrnes head coach Reggie Shaw called “the game of his life” to help the Rebels (7-1, 2-0 region) top the Bulldogs 38-31 in double-overtime. Morris caught eight passes for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
Career bests for Morris in all three categories. Under the bright lights and in the pouring rain, he was the man of the hour in leading Byrnes to its sixth-straight win.
“I guess it was just my night,” Morris said, smiling. “I had an opportunity to run a lot of short routes, routes where Andrew [Stevens] could get the ball to me quickly, and I’d make some moves to get extra yardage.”
One of those short routes came in the third quarter. Byrnes quarterback Andrew Stevens found Morris open down the right sideline for a catch. Sensing an onrushing Bulldog defensive back, Morris spun out of the tackle with his back still to the ball. He broke free and sped down the field—90 yards for a score.
“Their safety was sitting kind of high. I was able to get outside the numbers and just sit on my route. Once I broke that first tackle, I had a good amount of space, but I also had [wide receiver Armoni Weaver] blocking for me. I wouldn’t have been able to score without him.”
That was just his first of the day.
Morris’ next two touchdowns both came in overtime. The first came on a slant to the back of the endzone, keeping Byrnes alive in the first overtime period. The second was the game-winner. Morris took a quick short pass near the left sideline and powered his way to the goal line, barely stretching the ball over the pylon.
He was clutch, concocting a career night when his team needed it most.
“Ethan’s a great receiver. He’s fast, strong, physical, and he’s able to do some things with the ball in his hand,” said Shaw. “He’s just been hurt. It’s good to see this is what it looks like having him back near full speed.”
WEATHERING THE ELEMENTS
A week after scoring just seven points on offense against Spartanburg, the Rebels responded with 38 against a stout Boiling Springs defense.
All with several elements (rain) and injuries working against them.
Armoni Weaver left the game late after slipping and doing the splits on the wet turf. Wide receiver Caleb Williams suffered a high ankle sprain. Quarterback Andrew Stevens sprained his ankle in the third quarter but taped it up and only missed one drive. Wide receiver/defensive back Chamarryus Bomar received seven stitches under his eye after getting swiped through his facemask.
As for Bomar, he came right back in, of course. And he made the game-winning pass breakup in double-overtime to seal Byrnes the win.
But if it wasn’t one thing, it was another. Much like week two’s slugfest against Chapman—a game Byrnes let slip away—the Rebels bent. They didn’t break this time, however. They hung in and grabbed a gritty, crucial region victory.
“We found a way. That’s what we do. This isn’t the same team we were in that second game of the season,” said Shaw. “We didn’t flinch. There wasn’t any finger-pointing, no egos. It was just about going out and finding a way.
“That’s how it is sometimes in this region. ‘Region 2 Black and Blue’ is my nickname for it. You’ve got to battle through adversity any given week. Any team in this region can beat anybody in this state. It’s a gauntlet.”
UP NEXT
The gauntlet continues this Friday for Byrnes.
The Rebels will use the upcoming week to “rehab like crazy” said Coach Shaw, before welcoming rival Dorman to Nixon Field for senior night.
The Cavaliers (3-4, 1-0 region) got off to an uncharacteristically slow start this season, but have found form lately. They’ve won their last two games, one of those being a 14-10 victory over Boiling Springs.
Shaw expected the Rebels to be missing several pieces because of injuries picked up between the past two games. They’re making no excuses, however.
“We’ve got to continue to find a way,” said Shaw. “We want to send our seniors off right. It’s our last guaranteed home game of the year.
“And anytime you’ve got Byrnes and Dorman, you know it’s going to be packed. That’s what Friday nights are supposed to be all about. It’ll be great. That kind of environment is what kids dream about playing in.”
THE SCORE BY QUARTERS
Byrnes 7 10 7 0 7 7 - 38
Boiling Springs 3 7 7 7 7 0 - 31
BYRNES STAT LEADERS
Passing: Andrew Stevens 26-37/290 yds/4 TDs
Rushing: Tre Segarra 14/53 yds | Andrew Stevens 7/-13yds/TD
Receiving: Ethan Morris 8/124 yds/ 3 TDs | Chamarryus Bomar 7/49 yds/TD | Caleb Williams 4/46 yds