The Morgan Academy senators dropped a heartbreaker Friday night to defending 3A State Champions Monroe Academy 32-26. Despite out gaining the Volunteers 385 yards of offense to 320 yards the Senators were unable to pull off

the win.

The Senators got on the board first in the opening minutes of the second quarter. The score was set up when Travis Lyon connected with Josh Gardner for a gain of 56 yards, to give Morgan the ball on the Volunteer 27 yard line. Three plays later Owen Peak strolled in from 15 yards out to give the Senators the 6-0 lead after the two-point conversion failed.

Monroe would not be denied though. After a drive that started on their own 35 yard line the Volunteers found themselves on the Morgan one yard line in a third and goal situation. After deciding to go for it on fourth down Tyler Dawson punched it into the end zone for the touchdown. The ensuing two-point conversion failed, and the score was tied 6-6 with 3:55 left in the first half.

With 2:02 left in the half the Volunteers took possession on their own 42 yard line. On third and goal on the one yard line Dawson picked up his second touchdown of the night on a one yard run. On the Volunteers attempted extra point Brandon South came up big for the Senators, and blocked the kick to leave the score 12-6 with :34 left to play in the half.

The Senators took the opening possession of the second half, and drove it 45 yards down the field to set up a first and ten on the Monroe 16 yard line. Peak then took the hand off, and rambled into the end zone to pick up his second touchdown of the night. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and the score stood 12-12 with 8:33 left to play in the third quarter.

Late in the third quarter the Volunteers got on the board once again. On second and one on their own 20 yard line Dawson broke off a 68 yard run, that was saved from being a touchdown by Rick Brignac. It still didn’t take Dawson long to get into the end zone though. On first and ten on the Morgan 12 yard line Dawson put in his third touchdown of the night. The two-point conversion failed, and Monroe lead 18-12 with 11:46 left to play in the fourth quarter.

It didn’t take Morgan long to get back in the game though. On their ensuing possession Robert Collins and Peak marched the ball 27 yards down the field to set up a second and four situation on the 27 yard line. Collins then took the hand off and rolled in for the 27 yard touchdown, and the tie 18-18 after the two-point conversion failed.

With 9:04 left to play in the game Monroe got the ball back once again, and the chance to go ahead. They answered Morgans score with a 53 yard touchdown pass, and the lead 26-18 after they converted the two-point conversion.

The Senators did what they have done all year though, they came through in the clutch when it mattered. The Senators capped a drive that started on their own 27 yard line with a one yard touchdown run by peak, and then Peak converted the two-point conversion to tie the game once again 26-26 with :18 left to play.

The Senators received the ball first in over time, and on second and goal on the 12 yard line the Senators fumbled, and Monroe recovered.

It only took Monroe three plays to win the game on their ensuing overtime possession. Dawson took it in from five yards out to give the Volunteers the win 32-26.

Offensive leaders for the Senators were Robert Collins with 112 yards rushing on 13 attempts. Owen Peak and Travis Lyons each had 98 yards on the ground.

Defensively for the Senators Robert Armstrong had 11 tackles. Walt Harris, Matthew Casey, and Brandon Stow each had eight tackles.

The Senators take on Bessemer Academy next Friday night for homecoming at 7:30.