photo by Greenville Advocate

Heath Brantley (5) runs around left end trying to evade Fort Dale Academy defenders during their jamboree game Friday night.

Morgan holds off Fort Dale

Published Saturday, August 23, 2008

GREENVILLE — Morgan Academy held off a late rally from Fort Dale in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s jamboree, downing the Eagles 14-9.

A last-second heave from Eagles quarterback Dustin Till fell incomplete, and the Senators celebrated the win.

After surrendering an early Fort Dale field goal, the Senators stormed back to claim a 14-3 lead — one that held for the majority of the game until a final flurry of offense by the Eagles.

The Senators’ offense capitalized on a first-quarter fumble by Till with running back Joseph Waters galloping 66 yards to give Morgan a 6-3 lead.

On Fort Dale’s ensuing possession, defensive back Heath Brantley snagged an ill-advised pass from the Eagles’ quarterback, returning the interception to the FDA 35-yard line.

Morgan started the second quarter first-and-goal at Fort Dale’s 9-yard line. From there, Parker Hughes powered in for a 6-yard touchdown, and quarterback Austin Smitherman added the 2-point conversion.

Fort Dale wasn’t done yet, though.

Two big runs from Till led to a 1-yard touchdown by Jeffery Stead with 2:46 left. Morgan was unable to covert on third down and was forced to punt to the Eagles.

The Eagles moved to the 18-yard line of Morgan, but wide out Paul Whigham was unable to corral Till’s final pass into the end zone with no time remaining.

The Senators open the 2008 season on the road next week at Pike Liberal Arts School in Troy.