North Caps Undefeated Season, 50-7

Midway through the second quarter of the Southern Section Division V championship football game, Riverside North quarterback Dion Morton was hit hard when Norco linebacker Steve Gearhart broke through the line for a sack.

It was the biggest defensive play of the game for Norco -- one of the few bright spots.

On the next play, Morton connected with his twin brother Damon in stride for an 85-yard scoring pass play in what almost seemed punishment for Norco’s effort. It gave North a 36-point lead.

Scoring on the opening kickoff -- Damon Morton returned it 68 yards -- and seemingly moving the ball at will, North punctuated a 14-0 season with a 50-7 victory over the Cougars at Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon.

It is North’s second title in three years. Last season, the Huskies lost a heartbreaker, 57-55, in triple overtime to Corona Centennial in the final.

This time, Damon Morton led the way. He scored three first-half touchdowns -- the first kickoff return of his career, the 85-yard play, and a 10-yard reception. He finished with five catches for 146 yards.

Dion Morton completed seven of eight passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Barnett scored on runs of three, 73 and 24 yards and finished with 196 yards in 14 carries.

“We wanted to go out with a bang,” Damon Morton said. “What’s better than 50-7?”

North entered the game averaging 44.3 points and led, 43-0, at halftime. The defense also got into the act. Norco (12-2) fumbled on two of its first four plays, the second returned 84 yards by E.J. Brown. Norco lost four of its seven fumbles.

Norco running back Toby Gerhart, who had gained at least 285 yards in the previous six games, finished with 179 yards in 29 carries against a North defense led by Devin McWilliams -- who had a sack and fumble recovery -- Adam Wright, Tomas Cornejo and Deylan Marrow.

Gerhart didn’t crack 100 yards until early in the fourth quarter and by that time the Cougars trailed by 50 points. They scored with 1:04 left on a 52-yard pass from Kirk Philbrook to Kyle Legere.