Now was the chance for two bitter rivals, the Hamilton and Morrisville-Eaton football teams, to show each other just how much they had improved on a glorious fall Saturday.
It turned out much more glorious for the Emerald Knights, who waltzed onto M-E’s home turf and beat the Warriors up in a 43-16 decision that may have altered the post-season fates of both clubs.
With both teams fired up, the first quarter mostly belonged to the defenses. However, Hamilton did mount a drive deep into M-E territory and came out of it with some points as Matt Martin nailed a short field goal.
Briefly, the Warriors took the lead in the second quarter when Nate Mudge fired an eight-yard touchdown pass to Bryan Mulcahey and Mudge hit Maverick Gelatt for two points.
Down 8-3, the Emerald Knights proceeded to make its decisive move, finishing the half with 20 unanswered points.
Nick Sorosky, as he has done all season, got Hamilton going by breaking loose for a 55-yard TD run, the big blow on a day where he had 35 carries for 223 yards.
Sorosky’s second TD, a 13-yard run, made it 17-8, and the Knights’ defense joined in the fun when Ryan Russock intercepted a Mudge pass and returned it 43 yards for six more points.
By the time the third quarter over, Hamilton’s lead had grown to 36-8. Martin connected with Jonah Roberts on a 38-yard TD completion, and Sorosky went two yards for his third score of the afternoon.
Capping off his big day, Sorosky had a 35-yard TD run in the final period before M-E’s Ethan Burgess scored from one yard out to make things a bit less lopsided.
As it stands right now, Hamilton and M-E are tied for second place (each 3-1) in the Class D Central division, one game behind Frankfort-Schuyler.
The Warriors (3-3 overall) face Frankfort-Schuyler Friday night at 7 p.m. if M-E loses, Hamilton is assured a Section III playoff berth, as the top two teams in each of the three Class D leagues automatically qualify. Hamilton (5-1 overall) concludes its regular season Saturday, when it visits Rome Catholic at 2 p.m.
