Morris is finally done with the specter of Joliet Catholic.
Even after beating the team ranked No. 4 in the country, Morris felt the aftereffects for an entire week.
“Every day someone was patting us on the back telling us how great we are,” running back John Dergo said. “It was hard to focus in practice.”
“We were a little big-headed and feeling cocky,” defensive end Jamie Cumbie said about the Class 6A semifinals. “We overlooked Crystal Lake South (in last week’s 33-13 victory).”
That won’t happen Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign when Morris (13-0) faces Normal (12-1) for the 6A title.
“This is a dream we’ve all worked so hard for since we were little,” said Dergo, who has rushed for 2,785 yards and scored 50 touchdowns. “Coming so close last year (in a 17-0 loss to Joliet Catholic for the 5A title), now we have a very good chance of winning it. It’s all in our hands.”
Dergo has accumulated 3,057 total yards to go with his 115 tackles and nine interceptions as a safety, including two picks in the 28-21 victory over Joliet Catholic.
Cumbie has 34 catches for 658 yards and five touchdowns. Another big target in Morris’ double-tight end alignment is 6-5, 225-pound Dane Zumbahlen.
On defense, Cumbie (117 tackles, 24 sacks) will team up with bookend defensive end Zumbahlen, lineman Darin Haas, linebacker Billy Vanderveer, Dergo and defensive back Brenton Valentine to close down Normal’s rushing attack.
Running back Austin Davis leads the Ironmen with 1,102 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. Shannon Cobb has run for 851 yards and 13 TDs.
