Senators unable to slow Volunteers in loss
Published 1:13 am Saturday, October 19, 2013
Morgan Academy sophomore Woodham Kemmer races between Monroe Academy defenders while returning a kickoff during the first half of Friday night’s game in Selma. The Senators were unable to stop the Volunteers rushing attack in the 34-7 loss. –Jay Sowers
The name of the game at Morgan Academy on Friday evening was ground-and-pound.
Monroe Academy used a relentless rushing attack and pounded their way to a 34-7 win over Morgan Academy.
Morgan head coach Bob Taylor said the performance by the undefeated Volunteers came with little surprise.
“They really ran smash-mouth football and did what they wanted to do, just like they’ve done to everyone all year long. They took everything we do away, and we really couldn’t get anything going,” Taylor said.
Monroe exploded for 4 offensive touchdowns in the first quarter — three rushing and one through the air — to take a 27-0 lead in to the locker room.
Monroe head coach Mitchell Tuberville said he was proud of the way his starters followed the game plan and built on an early lead.
“I thought our first team did a good job. I know Morgan has had a lot of injuries this year, but I thought we did a good job of moving the ball and getting off the field without any injuries,” Tuberville said.
Tuberville’s team ended up scoring five touchdowns during the game. And it was a balanced attack with five players crossing the goal line.
Monroe runningback Dallas Nichols got the scoring started with a 1-yard touchdown run a little over a minute into the first quarter.
Taylor said the play by the Volunteers’ offensive and defensive lines made the difference.
“Their offensive and defensive lines are probably as good as any I have seen in the last 3 or 4 years, and that is where this ball game was won,” Taylor said. “They’re good. They’re good.”
The lone score for Morgan came late in the fourth quarter on a 36-yard throw from quarterback Harrison Adams to wide receiver Harrison Watters.
“We needed that. It was good for us to score against them, and we needed that heading into next week,” Taylor said.
Senators sophomore Jack Stewart left the game late in the second quarter after getting involved in a hard tackle during kick coverage.
“We’re not sure it was a concussion, but we will be watching him very closely for a while,” Taylor said.
“Our kids played hard all night, and that’s what I’m proud of.”
