Morrisville-Eaton Mavericks Capture First Regional Title, Coach Retires

The Morrisville-Eaton Mavericks achieved a historic milestone on November 30, 2023, by winning their first regional title in the state 8-man football championship. The Mavericks defeated the Eldred Yellowjackets 40-12 at Cicero-North Syracuse, marking a significant achievement for the program and a fitting farewell for head coach Don Johnson, who is retiring after 30 years of coaching.

Morrisville-Eaton displayed an impressive game plan that combined a powerful rushing attack with a resilient defense. The Mavericks, finishing the season with an 11-2 record, jumped to a commanding 16-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to standout performances from Wesley Dimperio and Landen Highers, each scoring two touchdowns.

Reflecting on the victory, Johnson expressed a mix of emotions during his bus ride home, stating, “Oh, it’s pretty bittersweet, I guess. I haven’t let it sink in yet, of course.” He had announced his retirement several times over the past five years, but this time it felt final. The team’s lineman Gabe Geiger summed up the sentiment, telling Johnson, “Coach, this one was for you.”

Morrisville-Eaton’s journey to the regional championship was remarkable. After starting the season with two tough losses, including games against the defending regional champion Frankfort-Schuyler and Elmira, the Mavericks regrouped and embarked on an impressive 11-game winning streak. Johnson remarked, “I never would have imagined we would have gone this far. They started believing in themselves that we could do this.”

In the sectional finals, the Mavericks avenged their earlier losses with a nail-biting 40-36 victory over Frankfort-Schuyler, followed by a decisive 56-21 win against Taconic Hills in the state playoffs. The Mavericks entered the regional final ranked No. 1 in the state, while Eldred held the No. 2 spot, but the disparity in performance became clear early in the game.

Dimperio ignited the Mavericks with a remarkable 75-yard touchdown run just 51 seconds into the match. Highers quickly added a two-point conversion, putting the Mavericks ahead 8-0. A three-yard rush by Mason Marland extended the lead to 16-0 just minutes later, highlighting the team’s determination to make the most of their final game together.

Eldred managed to respond with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Liam McGill to Trai Kaufmann, narrowing the score to 16-6 by the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw a stalemate, with the Mavericks’ defense preventing any further scoring despite a blocked punt that momentarily gave Eldred hope at the Mavericks’ 18-yard line.

Defensive assistant coach Ethan Johnson, who is also Don’s son, noted the team’s strategy to limit big plays from Eldred, saying, “They were a really good offensive team. We were pretty nervous about them.” His father emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, reassuring the players at halftime that they were in control of the game.

The Mavericks executed their game plan perfectly in the second half. Dimperio scored again, pushing the lead to 24-6 with a six-yard run. Although Eldred’s McGill responded with a one-yard touchdown, the Mavericks refused to back down. Highers sealed the victory with a 13-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, demonstrating the team’s resilience and determination.

As the season concludes, Don Johnson expressed hope that his son Ethan will take over as head coach next season. While Ethan is aware of the challenges, he sees it as an exciting opportunity to continue building on the foundation laid by his father. “I think it’d be fun,” Ethan said, recognizing the significant impact Don has had on the program.

The Mavericks’ historic win not only solidifies their place in the school’s athletic history but also marks the end of an era with Johnson’s retirement. The Morrisville-Eaton football team looks forward to future seasons, inspired by their recent triumph and the legacy of their dedicated coach.