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MUSCATINE, Iowa — Like John Elway’s famous drive against the Cleveland Browns in the 1987 AFC Championship, Nick Garretson’s team started with the football on its own 2-yard line.

Like the Broncos, the Muskies trailed with 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the game.

And like Denver, the quarterback was at the center of the comeback.

As Garreston stepped under center with 5:37 left in last Friday’s game at Pleasant Valley, Muscatine was down 21-19.

“I just knew we had to make every play count,” Garretson said.

The senior did that, orchestrating Muscatine’s best series of the season.

Thanks to Garretson’s feet and pinpoint accuracy in the passing game, the Muskies marched 90 yards in 14 plays — capped by Ozzy Carrillo’s 25-yard field goal to win the game, 22-21.

“I’m going to remember that drive forever,” Garretson said. “As far as consistent drives, from goal line to goal line, that’s one of the better ones I’ve had personally and us as a team.”

Garretson completed all seven passes he attempted on the drive, including a 10-yarder to Jeff Failor on third-and-7.

A play after that, Garretson took a quarterback draw 37 yards to the PV 9-yard line.

“He gave us a spark,” head coach Tony Napierala said. “His scrambling ability created opportunities for us. I think last Friday showed that in the second half. He made big plays.”

After starting the season as the backup quarterback, Garretson took over as the starter midway through the season.

In the final five games, Garretson completed 60 of 110 passes (55 percent) for 718 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 166 yards.

“It was something different,” said Garretson, who hadn’t played quarterback since his sophomore season. “It was fun getting in on the offense and running the ball.”

The final game aside, Garretson said it was a trying season to go through — particularly as a senior.

Muscatine finished 2-7 and tied for eighth in the conference.

“I just wish as a team we could have done a little better with the record part,” Garretson said. “There are some games we did get flat-out beat, but there were others we just gave away.

“I don’t think the record reflects our ability as a team.”

In fact, Garretson said the struggles were difficult to handle each week, especially at the end of the season.

“It’s one of the harder things that I’ve done, staying with it,” he said. “There are definitely times throughout the season you wonder why you do this.

“But when you look at the guys and how much work you put into it, it’s something you’ve got to finish.”

Garretson, who also plays soccer, is uncertain if he’ll play football in college.

In addition to being a quarterback, he averaged just more than 33 yards per punt this season.

“I haven’t talked to many schools about playing football,” he said. “If I got the right opportunity, I’d consider punting in college.”

His head coach believes he could succeed.

“He’s a very talented punter with his leg,” Napierala said. “He’s a hard-working kid and coachable.

“With his personality, he’s very competitive and gives great effort.”

Muskies’ 90-yard march

Here’s a look at each play of Muscatine’s final drive last week against Pleasant Valley:

Play 1 — 1st-and-10 at own 2: Nick Garretson finds Jared Hetzler for 4 yards.

Play 2 — 2nd-and-6 at own 6: Garretson to Hetzler for 9 yards and a first down.

Play 3 — 1st-and-10 at own 15: TJ Husar 5 run

Play 4 — 2nd-and-5 at own 20: Garretson connects with Hetzler for 4 yards.

Play 5 — 3rd-and-1 at own 24: Garretson hits Tanner Bohling for 2-yard gain and first down.

Play 6 — 1st-and-10 at own 26: Garretson 6 run

Play 7 — 2nd-and-4 at own 32: Bohling -3 run

Play 8 — 3rd-and-7 at own 29: Garretson rolls out and finds Jeff Failor for 10-yard gain. Additionally, PV is whistled for a 15-yard penalty for a late hit on Garretson.

Play 9 — 1st-and-10 at PV 46: Garretson 37 run on quarterback draw

Play 10 — 1st-and-goal at PV 9: MHS holding penalty 10 yards

Play 11 — 1st-and-goal at PV 19: Husar 2 run

Play 12 — 2nd-and-goal at PV 17: Garretson finds Griffen Gaeta for 4 yards.

Play 13 — 3rd-and-goal at PV 13: Garretson hooks up with Hetzler for 5 yards.

Play 14 — 4th-and-goal at PV 8: Ozzy Carrillo kicks a 25-yard field goal.