HS FOOT: Taft leads by nine at half over Locke

Taft has looked better but leads 9-0 at halftime -- but it should be a lot more.

After D.J. Morgan scored on a 21-yard run on Taft's first possession, Taft penetrated the red zone three times but came up empty.

Taft first drove 86 yards on 12 plays to the 10, but Abraham Bernal missed a 30-yard field goal.

Taft then recorded a safety on an errant punt snap, and Morgan returned the ensuing free kick 44 yards to 25. But Locke came through with a goal-line stand, stopping Jamal Davie for no gain on fourth down at the 1, and the Toreadors turned the ball over on downs.

Taft had one more chance in the final minute of the half but ran out of time when quarterback Bam Goodall's 23-yard run to the 2 ended the half.

Morgan had 129 rushing through two quarters but not much to show for it.

For sure, Morgan was running hard. On one short gain, he trucked Locke defensive lineman Sean Rivers, a 6-foot-3, 290-pounder who got up slowly.