Photos compliments of Greg Pruis and Steven Siefken.
The Mustangs welcomed the Dakota Indians to E. M. “Bud” Cole Field on Friday, October 2, 2026, for a Homecoming Football game and came away with a thrilling 21-20 victory!
Morrison received the opening kickoff and looked to get things moving offensively. It wasn’t meant to be. Three plays into the game, the Indians picked up a Morrison fumble and ran 44 yards to the end zone. The extra point attempt failed, giving the visitors a 6-0 lead a few minutes into the game.
Once again, the Mustangs received the kickoff and got to work on offense. Quarterback Grayson Millershone hit Josh McDearmon for a 33-yard pass, to get into Mustang territory. Two plays later, Morrison struck paydirt, as Millershone threw a perfect strike to Charlie Pruis for a 17-yard touchdown. McDearmon nailed the extra point kick to give the home team a 7-6 lead.
The two teams traded possessions, and Morrison was able to gain control of the ball shortly after the start of the second quarter. After receiving a punt, the Mustangs wasted no time; Millershone hit Pruis for a 43-yard pass to get the ball to the 16-yard line. Following a five-yard penalty, McDearmon caught a Millershone pass in the end zone for another Mustang touchdown. The extra point kick was missed, but Morrison was able to take a 13-6 lead in the game.
Dakota was able to put together a ten-play drive, but a fumble gave the ball back to Morrison. The Mustangs were held on three plays and forced to punt, which gave the Indians one last shot before halftime. This was short-lived. Pruis was able to intercept a pass to allow the Mustangs to take a 13-6 lead into halftime.
After receiving the kick to start the second half, the Morrison defense held the Indians to three plays before forcing a punt. A Morrison miscue during the punt allowed Dakota to retain possession. The visitors chose to keep the ball on the ground. After ten straight running plays, they were able to reach the end zone. The two-point conversion was successful, and Dakota regained the lead 14-13.
Morrison received the kick and started moving the ball, but penalties and two sacks forced them to punt the ball away to Dakota, as the third quarter ended. The Indians put together a nice drive, but on fourth down a big stop–by Jaken Updike and Noah Stout–gave the ball back to the Mustangs. The Dakota defense then stiffened up to force a punt and regain control of the ball. The visitors kept the ball on the ground in an attempt to run down the clock and seal the victory. This strategy did not work. Mustang linebacker Caleb Modglin made a big stop on fourth down, to give Morrison the ball back.
The Mustangs set up shop to try and get down the field to score. However, after two incomplete passes, Dakota was able to intercept a Morrison pass at midfield, with a little over three minutes remaining in the game. After two unsuccessful running plays the Indians connected on a long pass to score their third touchdown of the evening. The two-point conversion try was missed, which put the score at 20-13 in favor of Dakota.
With just a little over a minute left on the clock, things were not looking good for the Mustangs. They received the kickoff and stood 60 yards away from the end zone. The Morrison faithful didn’t have to wait long to celebrate On the first play, Millershone dropped back and completed a long pass down the middle of the field to Pruis, who avoided a Dakota defender and took it into the end zone! With the score now 19-20 in favor of Dakota, Morrison had to decide whether to tie the game with an extra point kick, or go for a two-point conversion and get the win. Coach Vandermyde decided to go for the win. Millershone took the snap and rolled out to pass. With his receivers covered, he tucked the ball and ran it into the end zone himself–to give the Mustangs a 21-20 lead!
With 30 seconds left in the game, Dakota received the kickoff and still had enough time to get down the field for a score. After two incomplete passes and a penalty, they tossed up a desperation pass that was intercepted by Pruis, and the victory was sealed for the Mustangs!
Millershone had an excellent day at Quarterback, throwing for 231 yards and three touchdowns. McDearmon caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Pruis finished with four catches for 142 yards and two scores. Ashyr Deyo chipped in with four catches on the night.
Defensively the Mustangs were led in the tackle/assist department by Eli Modglin with 14. Ethan Bush tallied 12, and Stout finished with ten. C. Modglin, Updike, and Evan White each contributed eight. Pruis had two interceptions in the game.