Kearny and Morse's defenses came up with huge goal-line stands at the end of each half in a tight Central League game last night.

Fortunately for the Komets, their stand occurred in the game's final frame and proved to be the clincher.

Kearny denied the Tigers' two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the score, and Kearny earned a 32-30 conference win on the road to spoil the Morse homecoming game.

“My heart was in my shoes, man,” Kearny coach Alan Hood said.

After Tigers running back Steven Leau's 2-yard touchdown run made it a two-point game, Morse (3-6, 3-2) needed to convert a two-point conversion for a tie. Despite gaining yards at will on the ground throughout the second half, Tigers running back Patrick Mitchell was stopped inside the 1-yard line, and Kearny (5-4, 3-2) recovered the ensuing onside kick.

“We knew they were going to run a trap,” said safety Keith Lombard, who had an interception and a 58-yard punt. “We just put our hearts into it and stopped them.”

The Komets were led by senior Jonathan McClain, who gained 138 yards on 15 carries and returned a third-quarter kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

“Jonathan, I really love that guy,” Hood said. “I wish I could have him for another year.”

Kearny ball carriers rushed for 239 yards on 43 carries and three touchdowns.

Kearny receiver Marven Jones – verbally committed to San Diego State – caught five of Chance Jones' six completions for a game-high 60 yards and the game-winning touchdown. On that play, the Komets chose to utilize the 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver's size by calling an up-and-go on a fourth-down play from the Morse 6-yard line.

Although the throw wasn't exactly where Hood wanted it, the future Aztec out-leaped the safety and corner and managed to keep his feet in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown with 7:33 left in the fourth.

The Tigers seized the momentum with a goal-line stand of their own to close out the second quarter down by 12.

“They're a good football team,” Hood said. “They're a lot better than I thought they were. They don't quit.”

The Morse defense stifled the Komets' ground game in the second half – allowing 38 yards on 17 carries.

The Tigers' ground game was led by Leau's six carries and 76 yards and two touchdowns, including a 53-yard, third-quarter scamper that kept Morse close.