The second week of the season, coach Robert Gartman’s Morgan Academy Senators hosted rival Faith Academy.

Morgan controlled most of the game only to watch Faith fight back and steal a win in the final minutes.

It was a disappointing loss for Gartman and his team.

But it was a lesson learned.

The Senators have been rolling ever since.

They’ve dispatched tough teams like Macon-East, Fort Dale and Clarke-Prep.

They’re 4-1 at the midway point of the season and they travel to Mobile Friday night with hopes of picking up another win.

While the Senators failed to close Faith out, they’ve shown considerable talent for putting teams away since.

They beat Clarke on a late run by Ben Callaway. Senior quarterback Travis Lyon helped beat Macon-East on a long run in the fourth quarter. The Senators’ defense clamped down Fort Dale in the second half on their way to a big shutout win.

Since then the Senators have been winning the old-fashioned way, with smothering defense, a pounding running game and smart senior team that hasn’t made many mistakes.

Led by senior quarterback Travis Lyon and a four horsemen-type backfield the Senators have been effective on offense, especially on the ground.

The Senators haven’t racked up many style points this season, just the ones that matter most, the ones on the scoreboard. Some of that, Gartman says, is by design.

Gartman and the Senators may not be able to keep any clubs in the bag this week.

They travel to Mobile to play a big, tough Mobile Christian team.

Mobile is big enough to have platoons on offense and defense, meaning their players can get some rest and stay fresh.

Though the three-hour bus trip to Mobile can sap the energy out of some teams, Gartman said having a veteran team make the trip a little easier.