Making his first start of the season behind center, the lanky 6-foot-2 Morales provided a needed spark for the Lancers with his arm and legs last Friday against visiting Ripon.

Morales completed 11 of 18 passes for 288 yards, five touchdowns and an interception and was also their leading rusher with 99 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

“He came out and led the team offensively,” EU coach Booie Daniels said. “He was patient on his reads, took some hard hits and bounced up — durable kid. Overall, very proud of him running and throwing the football.”

With the Lancers (3-0) trailing 13-0 in the second quarter, Morales scored on a 44-yard dash. The touchdown was set up by his 19-yard toss to Jackson Fay on fourth-and-1. The two 4x100 teammates linked up again on the next possession, as Fay took a pass up the middle and spun around multiple defenders on his way to a 15-yard TD.

“I get told that I’m a running threat and a passing threat,” Morales said. “I just try to do what my coaches tell me and do my best.”

It was back-and-forth from there until early in the fourth quarter when Morales pushed his team ahead for good on two straight plays. On fourth-and-8, he spotted Robbie Espinosa for 30-yard touchdown to give the Lancers a 35-31 lead with 10:32 to go.

Ripon (1-2) responded with Xaiden Reyes’s 90-yard return on the ensuing kickoff, but momentum quickly swung back toward the Lancers, as Morales hit Blake Mount deep for a 47-yard TD on the next play from scrimmage.

East Union used its run game and defense to secure the victory. The Lancers extended their lead to 45-38 on Diego Bustamante’s 21-yard field goal. Morales keyed that drive with runs of 21 and 9 yards on successive plays.

Two key receivers were out with injuries, but Espinosa (two receptions, 61 yards, two TDs), Fay (5-120-2) and Mount (4-107-1) were able to carry the load with the emerging Morales delivering dimes.

“We’re one of the fastest teams,” Morales said. “I have a lot of trust in my guys.”