Prep football: Morro Bay makes it three in a row with win over Kern Valley
Morro Bay running back Brandon McGinley continued to show off his versatility as the Pirates used four second-half touchdowns to close out Kern Valley 33-19 on Friday night in Morro Bay.
McGinley accounted for four touchdowns — rushing for three and passing for another — and finished the game 181 yards on 14 carries.
Morro Bay moved to 3-0 with the win, its best start to a season since 2009.
McGinley-Cecil Connection
For the third time this season, Morro Bay dialed up a halfback pass from McGinley to wide receiver Spencer Cecil. Twice the play has gone for a touchdown, including a long one on Friday night when late in the third quarter — with Morro Bay up 13-6 — McGinley hit a wide-open Cecil for a 63-yard touchdown.
It was Cecil’s second catch of the night, but the other one was an interception to close out the half and send Morro Bay into the locker room with a 7-3 advantage.
Minnis Effect
Morro Bay linebacker Myles Minnis went down hard after a collision near the home sideline in the first half. The big junior was shaken up and went though concussion protocol before re-entering the game near the end of the second half. When he returned, he made his presence felt.
After an incomplete pass on fourth and goal from Kern Valley’s 16-yard line, the Broncs took over with a chance to take the lead or cut their deficit to one. Minnis wasn’t having it.
He burst through the line and brought down the Kern Valley running back in the backfield. On the next play, he sacked quarterback Zach Bushling for a big loss.
After a punt, McGinley scored a 25-yard touchdown to put Morro Bay up 13-3.
Morro Bay head coach David Kelley said after the game that Minnis was cleared by team doctors and doing fine.
Classmate Walker Birchell also had a big night on defense with two sacks, a tackle for loss and a pass defended.
What’s Next?
Morro Bay will have a good chance to make it four wins in a row when it travels to San Luis Obispo to take on the winless Tigers next Friday.
This story was originally published September 9, 2016 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Prep football: Morro Bay makes it three in a row with win over Kern Valley."