> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Morrison, Pinkerton football pound their way to win over Windham - URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/morrison-pinkerton-football-pound-their-way-to-win-over-windham/ - Published: 2024-09-22T15:30:19.000Z - Updated: 2024-09-22T15:30:19.000Z - Description: WINDHAM – After graduating his starting offensive line, Pinkerton Academy football coach Brian O’Reilly wasn’t sure if his new unit would allow his team to pound the ball if need be. That was the situation Pinkerton found itself in on a rainy Saturday afternoon against Windham’s tough defensive unit - Author: Dan Doyon - Tags: Division I, football, Pinkerton, slider, Windham, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44 WINDHAM – After graduating his starting offensive line, Pinkerton Academy football coach Brian O’Reilly wasn’t sure if his new unit would allow his team to pound the ball if need be. That was the situation Pinkerton found itself in on a rainy Saturday afternoon against Windham’s tough defensive unit, but running back Matt Morrison churned away those yards that the Astros needed. After gaining one yard during a scoreless first quarter, Morrison finished with 147 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead Pinkerton to a 24-8 Division I victory. Pinkerton improved to 3-0 overall (2-0 in D1), while Windham dropped to 1-2 (1-1). “We played off the conditions. The rain took away our passing game and the speed game the way we like it, so we got into a power football game,’ O’Reilly said. “It was something coming into the season if it was something we’d be able to do, but we just did fine.” Morrison followed a strong junior season by opening his senior campaign with 238 yards and four rushing touchdowns to go with an 80-yard touchdown catch during Pinkerton’s 40-17 victory two weeks ago Andover (Mass.). “This was one of those games where we just had to put our head in the ground and dug it out,” Morrison said. “Not everything in our game plan worked, so we stuck with what worked and that was getting our hands dirty and going for it.” Pinkerton was rewarded with a short field midway through the second quarter after Dino Savvas recovered a fumble at Windham’s 35-yard line. Morrison ripped off a 13-yard run on 4th-and-2 to help set up his 1-yard touchdown run to give Pinkerton a 7-0 lead. Morrison has improved in his patience as a runner and that was on full display on Pinkerton’s next drive. Morrison weighed his options before exploding to the right side and breaking tackles along the way for a 40-yard gain down to Windham’s 8-yard line. Pinkerton kicker Andrew Perfetto eventually buried a 30-yard field goal to give Pinkerton a 10-0 halftime lead. “I’ve improved in seeing holes better and learning when to put my head down and get extra yards, not to dance too much and get what’s there,” Morrison said. “I think I’m more patient this year. So far it’s worked out.” Morrison followed a 5-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter with a 15-yard scoring run later in the quarter to give Pinkerton a 24-0 lead. “Matt is an indoor track champion in the hurdles, he’s fast, he’s got great moves and he’s one of the smartest football players I have,’ O’Reilly said. “If I could give the ball to Matt every play, we’d be OK, but I’ve got other players I want to give the ball to. But (Saturday), it seemed like we wanted to get the ball in his hands, and he’s sure-handed too.” Windham came into the game short-handed after starting quarterback Kevin Murphy left last week’s 28-13 loss to Malden Catholic (Mass.) with a concussion. “Matt Morrison is an excellent player. He’s such a special player that can do things that you can’t draw on the board,” Windham coach Jack Byrne said. “He did a great job and their supporting cast is not really a supporting class. They’re all talented players and tough to beat.” Now the focus for Morrison and his teammates turns to their rivalry game at Londonderry (2-0, 2-1) on Saturday. The Lancers routed Pinkerton, 42-7, in last year’s Division I semifinals. “I want to win,” Morrison said. “I want to make up for what happened last year and show New Hampshire what we’re made of.”