HOBART | None of Roy Richards' 71 wins at Morton comes close to being as significant as the one the Governors earned Friday night.

Finally, Morton is a sectional football champion.

The Governors took complete control in the first minute of play and cruised to a 42-0 victory over Hobart in the Class 4A Sectional 9 championship game at The Brickyard. Morton (11-1) will now look to avenge its Week 2 loss against Lowell (11-1) when the Governors host the Red Devils next Friday in a regional showdown.

"This team was so hungry," said Richards, who exchanged hand shakes and hugs after the game with countless Morton supporters, including Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. "We've never won this. It would have taken an unbelievable performance by anybody to beat us."

Hobart (4-8) fell short in its quest to win its 20th sectional title and first since 1997. The Brickies were plagued by five fumbles, four of which they lost.

"It's been one of those years," Brickies coach Wally McCormack said. "Every possible thing that could go wrong did go wrong."

Hobart senior Kendall Gunn fumbled the opening kickoff, and Morton recovered.

Two plays later, Governors sophomore quarterback Chris McCormack ran for a 4-yard touchdown.

Then during Hobart's first offensive play from scrimmage, Morton's D'Jari Griffin and Jake Nelson forced Brickies sophomore quarterback Sam Kosich to fumble, allowing Governors junior defensive back Jaborie Rucks to scoop up the ball and return it about 20 yards for a touchdown.

Fifty-seven seconds into the first quarter, Morton led 14-0 and never looked back.

"Coach knew it was going to be a big game for us," Rucks said. "Ever since Monday, he was getting on our butts at practice -- the whole defense. He was all over us.

"(The win) means a lot for all the alumni and all the seniors. I wanted to do it for them."

There was never any doubt about Morton's desire. Junior quarterback Andrew Glidewell ran for a touchdown and threw another to senior John Miller. Senior David Sisak barreled ahead for a 1-yard score and later returned another Hobart fumble about 25 yards for a touchdown.

"Isn't this great?" Richards said. "Wait until next week when we're playing Lowell at our place. It will be absolutely amazing. I'm having more fun than I've ever had."

PREP FOOTBALL

Class 4A Sectional 9

Championship

Morton 42, Hobart 0

The Governors forced five fumbles and recovered four, including two for touchdowns.