Morrisville-Eaton Football Celebrates Historic Regional Title

The Morrisville-Eaton Mavericks football team achieved a historic milestone on March 11, 2024, by securing their first-ever regional title. The team delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Eldred Yellowjackets 40-12 in the state 8-man football regional championship held at Cicero-North Syracuse. This victory not only marks a significant achievement for the Mavericks but also serves as a poignant farewell for head coach Don Johnson, who is retiring after an illustrious 30-year coaching career, including 15 years with Morrisville-Eaton.

The Mavericks showcased their strength through a dominant rushing attack and a robust defense. Star players Wesley Dimperio and Landen Highers each scored two touchdowns, helping the team build an early lead of 16-0 in the first quarter. “Oh, it’s pretty bittersweet, I guess,” Johnson reflected on his emotions following the game. “I haven’t let it sink in yet, of course. I’ve been saying for five years that I was going to be done and I hung around, and it’s really going to happen this time.”

This championship victory capped off an impressive 11-game winning streak for the Mavericks, who overcame an early season struggle, starting 0-2 with losses to defending regional champion Frankfort-Schuyler and Elmira. “Those were great games. We needed to see where we were going to stand this year,” Johnson noted. “To be truthful, I never would have imagined we would have gone this far.”

Morrisville-Eaton avenged their early losses by defeating Frankfort-Schuyler 40-36 in the sectional final, followed by a decisive 56-21 win over Taconic Hills in the state playoffs. Entering the regional championship, M-E was ranked No. 1 in the state, while Eldred held the No. 2 position.

The game commenced with a spectacular start as Dimperio broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run just 51 seconds in, followed by a two-point conversion by Highers, putting the Mavericks ahead 8-0. The team quickly doubled their lead with a 3-yard touchdown from Mason Marland and another successful two-point conversion by Highers. Highers described the team’s mindset, stating, “I think the memo was just one last ride. It’s the last game ever for some of us, and we’re doing it for each other and for the coaches.”

Eldred responded with a touchdown pass from Liam McGill to Trai Kaufmann, making the score 16-6 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter remained scoreless, with the Mavericks’ defense stepping up to prevent Eldred from capitalizing on opportunities, including a blocked punt that set the Yellowjackets up at the M-E 18-yard line. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed Eldred back, and Noah Mudge intercepted a pass, halting their momentum.

Johnson emphasized the importance of maintaining focus during the game. “Football is such a game of momentum that we were able to hang on to that momentum after the first score,” he said. “As soon as they scored, kids are kids and think it’s the end of the world. At halftime, I say, we’re up. We’re in control.”

The Mavericks executed their game plan effectively in the second half. Dimperio extended the lead to 24-6 with a 6-yard touchdown run. Although McGill answered with a 1-yard touchdown rush for Eldred, the Mavericks maintained their composure. Highers effectively sealed the game with a 13-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, making the score 40-12.

As Johnson prepares to step down, he expressed a desire for his son, Ethan Johnson, to take over as head coach next season. Ethan, who serves as a defensive assistant coach, acknowledges the weight of his father’s legacy. “I think it’d be fun,” Ethan said about potentially replacing his father. “I think he’s done so much for the program and building it together for the eight-man world. It’d be a challenge, but it’d be one that I think everybody’d be pretty excited about.”

The victory not only marks a high point for the Mavericks football program but also serves as a testament to the dedication and teamwork that defined their season. As the Morrisville-Eaton Mavericks celebrate this landmark achievement, they look forward to future successes while honoring the legacy of a coach who has profoundly shaped their program.