HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Amerson Leads Morse to a Romp in the Rain; Point Loma Tops Mira Mesa

Archie Amerson ran through a constant drizzle and whatever else got in his way, breezing to 197 rushing yards and four touchdowns to give Morse a 48-0 City Eastern League victory Friday over Patrick Henry at Morse.

Amerson’s most productive offensive performance also gave the Tigers (7-0, 2-0) additional sustenance for their “We’re No. 1!” chant.

Finally, No. 2 Morse and No. 1 Helix have played a common opponent, and the Tigers now own this advantage.

Helix beat Patrick Henry, 26-7, in Week 1.

As for Morse’s rout in front of 2,000 dripping onlookers, “The big thing was, a lot of kids got to play,” Morse Coach John Shacklett said.

Indeed. Shacklett pulled his starters and substituted freely throughout the fourth quarter, calling Amerson’s number only three times. What’s more, three-year starter Conan Smith, perhaps the best fullback in the county, carried only five times the entire game. He still netted 42 yards and a touchdown.

Amerson, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior tailback, had 103 yards in the first quarter, 133 by halftime and 181 at the end of three quarters--not a bad afternoon for a guy who played cornerback until this summer.

“I knew I was going to get my yards, but I didn’t think I’d get that many,” said Amerson, who went on to praise his offensive line. “Every game, they get stronger and stronger. They know their assignments better each week, and they’re making it awfully easy for me and Conan.”

That offensive line is composed of three sophomores, David Gates, Lamar Harris and Troy Loggins, junior Major Latimer, senior Earl Smith and senior tight end Jarrett Loggins.

“Our offensive line is really starting to come through,” Shacklett said. “The kids are taking a lot of pride up front, and they’re getting better every week.”

Once a great rivalry that routinely decided the Eastern League title, Morse has bombed the Patriots (3-4, 0-1) in eight consecutive games, including, 70-7, last year, by a combined 350-71. That averages to 43.8-8.8.

The Patriots played the entire 48 minutes without being whistled for a penalty. In the first quarter, however, a five-yard penalty against Morse was only two yards fewer than the Patriots’ total offense in that quarter.