FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Late Scores Put Morse by Orange Glen

Football playoffs coverage describes how Morse defeated Orange Glen 12-0 at Mesa College, setting up a San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium matchup for a potential third straight Section 3-A title in five years. Morse, now 13-0, reached the finals for the fifth time in six years. In a decisive performance, tailback/defensive back Archie Amerson, listed at 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, carried 24 times for 137 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per carry, including gains of eight and 18 yards that helped produce two first downs in fourth-quarter scoring drives. Teammate Conan Smith added 24 carries for 120 yards, highlighted by a 22-yard touchdown run with 3:27 remaining. Morse quarterback Ray Barnes scored the first touchdown on a 57-yard, 10-play drive. Adjustments at halftime emphasized blocking changes to counter linebacker Jose Ruelas. Orange Glen coach Rob Gilster said the Patriots “just didn’t make the plays,” pointing to missed opportunities and errors, including a failed field-goal attempt late.