Dorrell’s Pass to Brewer Wins It for Mount Ida With Seven Seconds Left

Mount Ida 37, Gurdon 30

Chris Dorrell threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Hunter Brewer with seven seconds remaining Friday night, giving Mount Ida a 37-30 victory at Gurdon after the teams exchanged the lead seven times.

Facing third-and-eight with 14.4 seconds left and no timeouts, Brewer pitched to Dorrell, who flipped a pass back over a defender to Brewer. The quarterback sprinted to the pylon for the winning touchdown. A successful two-point run established the final margin.

Mount Ida’s decisive possession began at its 38 with 3:54 remaining. Dorrell converted third-and-five, Kaceston Phimvongsa picked up another first down on third-and-one, and the Lions hurried to the line to convert fourth-and-one inside the final 30 seconds.

Dorrell finished with 180 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. Phimvongsa added 114 yards on 20 attempts and eight tackles. Mount Ida improved to 4-0; Gurdon moved to 2-2.

The Go-Devils scored first on a 5-yard quarterback keeper, but the extra point was blocked. Dorrell answered with a 13-yard touchdown run, and Buck Miller’s kick gave Mount Ida a 7-6 lead late in the first quarter.

Gurdon reclaimed the lead on a 20-yard run and two-point conversion early in the second. Brewer returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, and Jackson White’s conversion run put the Lions ahead 15-14. The Go-Devils responded with a 10-yard scoring run and another conversion for a 22-15 advantage.

A short Gurdon punt gave Mount Ida possession at the Go-Devils’ 32 with 1:46 before halftime. Brewer’s 26-yard keeper and a 4-yard Phimvongsa run set up Dorrell’s 2-yard touchdown with 32 seconds remaining. Dorrell also scored the conversion, sending the Lions into halftime ahead 23-22.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. Dorrell broke up a fourth-down pass in Mount Ida territory, ending a Gurdon possession and starting the drive that produced his third rushing touchdown. Phimvongsa converted third-and-four before Dorrell scored from 8 yards early in the fourth. Gurdon stopped the conversion attempt, keeping the deficit at seven.

Eli McCullough then stopped a reverse for a 6-yard loss, and Jett Brooks broke up a third-and-13 pass to force a punt. Gurdon’s next possession produced its final lead.

Jonah Jester found Braxton Nolan for 40 yards on third-and-nine, moving the Go-Devils to Mount Ida’s 23. A 17-yard touchdown run and successful conversion made it 30-29 with 3:59 remaining. Jester finished with 86 passing yards, while Eric Hughes led Gurdon’s rushing attack with 93 yards on 14 carries.

After Mount Ida’s winning touchdown, Gurdon returned the kickoff to the Lions’ 35 with one second left. Its final pass fell incomplete.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

• 6:38 — Gurdon: 5-yard quarterback run; kick blocked. Gurdon 6-0.
• 1:15 — Mount Ida: Chris Dorrell 13-yard run; Buck Miller kick. Mount Ida 7-6.

Second quarter

• 10:19 — Gurdon: 20-yard run; two-point run good. Gurdon 14-7.
• 10:04 — Mount Ida: Hunter Brewer kickoff return for a touchdown; Jackson White two-point run. Mount Ida 15-14.
• 7:22 — Gurdon: 10-yard run; two-point run good. Gurdon 22-15.
• 0:32 — Mount Ida: Dorrell 2-yard run; Dorrell two-point run. Mount Ida 23-22.

Third quarter

• No scoring. Mount Ida led 23-22.

Fourth quarter

• Mount Ida: Dorrell 8-yard run; two-point run failed. Mount Ida 29-22.
• 3:59 — Gurdon: 17-yard run; two-point run good. Gurdon 30-29.
• 0:07 — Mount Ida: Brewer 13-yard pass from Dorrell; two-point run good. Mount Ida 37-30.

Players Who Stood Out

• Chris Dorrell, Mount Ida: 28 carries for 180 yards and three touchdowns; threw the winning 13-yard touchdown pass and broke up a fourth-down pass.
• Hunter Brewer, Mount Ida: Scored on a kickoff return and the winning 13-yard reception. His 26-yard keeper set up Mount Ida’s touchdown just before halftime.
• Kaceston Phimvongsa, Mount Ida: 20 carries for 114 yards and eight tackles, including one for loss. Converted third-and-one on the winning drive.
• Eli McCullough, Mount Ida: Five tackles, two for loss, and a fumble recovery; stopped a fourth-quarter reverse for a 6-yard loss.
• Aaron Gregory, Mount Ida: Sacked Gurdon’s quarterback for a 5-yard loss in the first quarter.
• Eric Hughes, Gurdon: 14 carries for 93 yards and two catches for 23 yards.
• Jonah Jester, Gurdon: Completed four of 13 passes for 86 yards and rushed for 85 yards on 13 carries.
• Braxton Nolan, Gurdon: His 40-yard reception converted third-and-nine and set up the touchdown that gave Gurdon a 30-29 fourth-quarter lead.