Morrow's TD in final seconds lifts Vikings

by Jason Feather

Posted on September 6, 2009

GRATERFORD — It was a satisfying opening night for the Perkiomen Valley faithful as the Vikings battled through a seesaw of emotions Friday evening to pull out a 21-14 win over visiting Upper Dublin.

Running back Steve Morrow -- a 5-foot-9, 166-pound senior speedster -- ran for 138 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns, including a game-winning 12-yard burst with just four seconds left.

"He did something special tonight," sixth-year PV head coach Scott Reed said. "He is a hard working kid, and tonight was his night."

The hosts did little offensively in the first half, managing just 63 yards of total offense. But they still went into the break with a 14-6 lead.

PV's Chris Stewart picked off a pass from Cardinals quarterback Andrew Derr and raced 68 yards untouched to get the Vikings on the board in the first quarter.

Morrow made it a two-score advantage, taking the ball off the right side for a 43-yard touchdown at the 5:48 mark of the second quarter.

Upper Dublin answered right back with Derr connecting with Evan Saltzman for a 63-yard touchdown strike.

The Cardinals tied it late in the fourth quarter when Derr took a quarterback-keeper in from a yard out, then hooked up with tight end Ryan Hopkins for the two-point conversion.

Morrow took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, but the elation for the Vikings was short-lived as a penalty negated the big play.

PV, but more specifically Morrow, was not to be denied on this night.

Following the penalty, the Vikings started from their own 40 and needed just seven plays to cash in the winning score with Morrow covering the final 12 yards with a scamper off left tackle.

"Tough loss," Upper Dublin coach Bret Stover said. "I am proud of how we came back, but I would have loved to get it to overtime. Obviously, we didn't."

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