Hounds Chase Rabbits Pullman Moves Into Semifinals With Win

Quincy saw all it needed to see from Pullman after J.D. Morscheck’s first five carries Friday night.

Morscheck staked Pullman to a 21-0 lead with three touchdown runs in the first 5-1/2 minutes. His second-ranked Greyhounds went on to bury Quincy 68-26 in a State 2A quarterfinal at rainy, windy Martin Stadium.

The win vaults Pullman (11-0) into next weekend’s semifinals at Albi Stadium. Today’s winner between Cascade of Leavenworth (10-0) and East Valley of Yakima (9-1) will select the date and time for the semifinal.

Pullman has played in two state title games, losing both times. But the Greyhounds are on a torrid streak, outscoring opponents 214-40 the last four weeks.

Morscheck, a senior, finished with five TDs and 175 yards on 20 carries. He had 99 yards and three TDs after five carries, each time reaching the end zone untouched.

“The thing is, we have so many weapons,” Morscheck said. “It just opens things up. It was my time today, because they couldn’t focus on just one guy.”

Morscheck missed two games this season after dislocating his shoulder against Selah. He and Lucas Svaren both finished the regular season with between 750 and 800 rushing yards, but Svaren wasn’t needed in the backfield against the ninth-ranked Jackrabbits (9-3).

“J.D. was tearing off these big runs, and the next thing you knew we were down at the goal line,” said Pullman coach Bill Christie. “There was no chance at that time to rotate in other runners.”

Svaren also took a hard shot early in the game, from his position at safety. The Greyhounds feared he had a concussion, but he returned to action.

Pullman led 54-6 midway through the third quarter. The Greyhounds then gave a rest to Morscheck and starting quarterback Brian Zeches.

Zeches completed 9 of 15 passes for 181 yards and TDs to Andy Brindamour, David Law and Trent Bray. Law led the way, with 128 yards on three receptions.

“The early success with the running game opened up the passing game because they couldn’t blitz us,” Christie said. “We were looking to strike that balance on offense.”

Pullman finished with 227 yards rushing and 188 passing.

Jackrabbits sophomore Mark Peterson completed 17 of 26 for 208 yards and three TDs. But Kyle Clark, Mike Weed, Chase Boston, Brian Christie and Brindamour all had interceptions against Peterson.

“I saw (Peterson) on film and he has great skills,” said Pullman defensive end Alan Wallace, who had two sacks and a fumble recovery. “Today, maybe he just had a bad game.”

Pullman had 254 total yards and 40 points by halftime. The Greyhounds scored on their first five possessions and were down to the Quincy 35-yard line on their sixth before Zeches lost a fumble.

The Greyhounds were concerned about Quincy senior Scott Bierlink, who caught 14 TD passes and averaged 16 yards per catch this year. Bierlink caught two TDs against Pullman, but averaged less than eight yards on his seven receptions.

“We wanted to pressure the quarterback and watch for the pass, that was it,” Wallace said. “We didn’t think they’d run too much.”

Senior Brian Harrington rushed for 54 of Quincy’s 87 yards.

Pullman 68, Quincy 26

Quincy 6 0 6 14 - 26

Pullman 21 19 14 14 - 68

P-Morscheck 17 Run (Law kick) P-Morscheck 36 Run (Law kick) P-Morscheck 3 Run (Law kick) Q-Bierlink 14 Pass from Petersen (kick failed) P-Morscheck 2 Run (kick failed) P-Brindamour 12 Pass from Zeches (kick failed) P-Bray 9 Pass from Zeches (Law kick) P-Morscheck 1 Run (Law kick) P-Law 64 Pass from Zeches (Law kick) Q-Bierlink 3 Pass from Petersen (run failed) Q-Schulz 33 Fumble return (kick failed) Q-Harrington 39 Pass from Petersen (Bierlink pass from Petersen) P-Petz 7 Pass from Clark (Svaren kick) P-Syms 1 Run (Morris kick)