LANARK, Ill. - It hardly felt like Christmas on such a warm, sunny November afternoon, but the season of giving is upon us, after all. The Morrison football team can attest to that.

The Mustangs took advantage of some gift-wrapped interceptions and rode their smothering defense to a 42-0 win at Eastland Pearl City, moving on to the Class 2A state quarterfinals against fellow top seed Orion.

In the first 7 minutes, Morrison (11-0) scored 14 points off turnovers, both interceptions of EPC quarterback Drake Walker.

Mustangs senior Kyle Janssen's pick on an overthrown deep ball - the first offensive snap of the game - led to a 29-yard touchdown toss from Andrew Cook to Will Bird on fourth-and-11.

Then Dan Dennehey hauled in Walker's wobbly pass in double coverage and returned it deep into EPC territory, setting up Josh Vos' 12-yard TD rush on the next play.

"The interceptions are good because they change the whole momentum right there," Janssen said. "Our front line was stopping them, and then our defensive backs were doing amazing in the backfield."

The Mustangs didn't record a first down until the 7-minute mark of the second quarter, after Janssen broke the offense open with a third-down, 56-yard scoring run earlier in the quarter.

No. 9-seeded EPC (8-3) tried different formations to move the ball, but nothing was getting past the quick and physical Morrison defense.

Tailback Alex Maurer, who ran for more than 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns during the regular season, finished with one yard on 16 carries. The Wildcats rushed 38 times for five yards.

"Our defense has played tough all year, we knew that with a challenge, they'll rise to it," Mustangs coach Cory Bielema said. "The two picks put us in position to snowball and play with the lead."

Vos, the Mustangs' 1,600-yard rusher, was held in check, with 42 yards on 14 carries. However, Janssen and Jason Caruso combined for three touchdowns and 171 yards on five carries.

"We are lucky enough to have some options there in the backfield," Bielema said. "Kyle's done it all year, and Jason made an outstanding player there. He doesn't get a lot of touches with our loaded backfield, but he made do."

Walker was carted off with a concussion after a vicious collision with Morrison defender Bryce Vegter in the third quarter. He finished 3-of-12 with 46 yards, and EPC coach Randy Asche said Walker would be fine.