Page 24 - Demo

Senior quarterback excited to BY SAM PIERCE
PHOTOS BY STACI VANDAGRIFF
Even though football football may not be his favorite sport Harding Academy senior Davis Morgan has really grown to love it “I didn’t really play football as a a a a a young kid ” Morgan said “I only started playing in in the fourth grade I’ve always played basketball basketball I I have been playing basketball basketball since I I could pick up the ball ” Davis’ dad Jeff Morgan is is the head basketball coach and athletic director at at Harding University in in Searcy Davis Morgan who also plays basketball for the Wildcats and is is this year’s ree Rivers Edition Player to Watch for football said he eventually wants to play basketball for for his dad but for for now he is is focused on his senior season “Winning a a a a a a a state championship is always the goal ” Morgan said “but I also want to to grow closer to to my teammates and have a a a a a a a a good time with them “I love that group of guys and we have gotten really close I I am looking forward to a a a a a great season with them ” Morgan said the the team has gotten the the chance to bond tremen- dously over the past couple of seasons a a a a a a er er traveling to Louisiana for team camps in the summer “It was lots of fun ” Morgan said “We are participating in in 7 7 on 7s and and the the other times we are just basically hanging out and and spending time together “It is a a a a a great way for the the team to to grow closer together and grow new friendships ” Morgan who finished his junior year with a a a a a 4 0 said Harding Academy is going to to need some guys to to step up at receiver if the Wildcats want to be successful “And I think we have some guys who are proving that they can ” he he said “I’m really excited about the group that we have coming up receivingwise ” CADEN HUSKEY
Morgan was a a a sophomore when took over the program Morgan a a transition crediting the the then senior things feel normal “Morgan’s football knowledge stands out to me ” Evans said “But a a a being being a a a a human being being he has a a a a really very difficult to do “You can’t minimize your role your things can’t diminish you but can’t you He’s found a a a a really good balance being his life ” Morgan said that when he’s not or he likes to watch reruns of e e e e Office family which includes his dad Jeff his his sisters Emma and Ellie Every year and a a to to Daytona Beach in Florida “Just to think that I’ve grown to games and seen all these great quarterbacks through here — to be a a part of it to be of ing ” Morgan said of his opportunity A er er serving as a a a backup quarterback Morgan earned a a a a starting role for finished the year 209 for 323 with 3 3 and 12 interceptions He also rushed in e e Wildcats finished 8-5 making playoffs before losing to Junction “To have people look up to you ship I was just really excited to do it just it too ” he said “He is becoming like so many ans said “He’s got above-average intangibles of a a winner ” Morgan said he wanted to play position makes things go for the “ e e quarterback has to make IN THE Watch for these outstanding SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE SOUTHERNERS
• Senior strong safety/running back • 6-2 199
• 116 tackles 4 interceptions • 648 yards rushing 13 TDs
• 308 yards receiving 4 TDs
• Senior • 6-3 • 50 14