HOPE HULL&045;&045;Judging by their performance on Friday night in Hope Hull, the Senator’s foes better be ready for a shootout if they hope to keep pace with coach Robert Gartman’s Morgan Academy team.

Led by senior and third-year starting quarterback Travis Lyon, the Senators offense looked

like a juggernaut in season opening jamboree play at Hooper Academy.

Morgan took on all comers in a quarter of play each.

Morgan beat Pike Academy 14-0, Lee Scott 7-0 and ran out of time in a loss against Macon East, 16-13.

“We had no turnovers, we chased the football on defense, and came away with no injuries,&uot; a pleased Gartman said. &uot;That’s exactly what we wanted to accomplish.”

With four out of five seniors on the offensive line, led by Hunter Harrellson, Woody Jones, Si Gresham and Morgan Yarbrough, the Senator’s ground game appears to be on a par with their great teams of the late ’90’s.

Lyon, Josh McAteer, Robert Collins, and Henley Hughes all scored rushing touchdowns behind the yeoman’s work of the Senator’s line.

Halfbacks Ben Calloway and Brian Gomes proved to be very effective blocking as well.

On the defensive side of the ball, Rhett Rhyne, Blanton Callen, and Harrison were in on a lot of plays.

In the marquee match up against Macon East, Morgan jumped out quickly behind the running of Collins who gained 31 yards. Most of his yards came on a 23-yard scamper off left guard for a touchdown.

Macon East responded with a long drive aided by a personal foul call on the Senators.

The drive ended in an 8-yard touchdown run by Fletcher Wilkerson, who added a two-point conversion to put Macon up 8-7 with 4:04 remaining.

Morgan roared right back as backup quarterback Will Summerlin hit Jeremy Smith with a 34-yard pass down the right sideline.

Henley Hughes then burst up the middle for a 35-yard touchdown run.

The two point conversion failed.

Macon East went to their two minute offense and Wilkerson went to work. He accounted for 41 yards on the drive including a 29-yard touchdown reception off of a play-action fake.

The two point conversion made the score 16-13 with 1:20 left on the clock.

With Morgan in its hurry up offense, Alan Calloway out-jumped a defensive back on the left sideline for a pretty reception.

Lyon then hit Robert Armstrong with two short passes that fell short of the sticks.

On fourth down, Summerlin was sacked and the Senators turned the ball over on downs.

The loss did nothing to dampen Gartman’s spirits.

His Senators played well against three teams and showed a glimpse of what they can accomplish in AISA action.

With those words from the four-time state champion coach, the Senator’s opponents better beware.

The Senators open the season Friday night at Tuscaloosa Academy.