Having successful programs can sometimes have its drawbacks.

Morgan Academy’s football program is currently a testament to that statement, after not having a bulk of their upper class athletes due to track and baseball for the duration of spring training.

But coach Robert Gartman and his staff pressed onward. Instead of focusing on who couldn’t be there, the Senator coaching staff turned their attention to the group of athletes that were there.

Rhett Rhyne finished up with the tennis team in time to take snaps for the varsity for the first week of spring football.

But, after Bessemer ended Morgan’s baseball season Tuesday night, Gartman had his whole team dressed in full gear Wednesday afternoon.

This fall, the Senators will be senior-laden.

Morgan boasts a roster of 21 seniors most of which have been lining up either next to each other or against each other since they were in Pee-Wee.

Having a group that can be a positive for a team.

Gartman and his staff had goals coming into the spring. One of which was a re-tooling of the offensive line.

Last season, the Senators finished 9-3 and were dismissed from the Alabama Independent School Association playoffs with a 23-16 loss to the Bessemer Academy Rebels in the semifinals. Bessemer went on to win the AAA state title by beating top-ranked Edgewood Academy.

The Sens, however did do some damage in the playoffs, notching a victory over Pike Liberal from Troy.