Morgan has chance to make history against Edgewood
Published 5:19 pm Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Morgan Academy has a chance to make history on the football field Friday night when the Senators take on juggernaut Edgewood Academy.
The Wildcats (4-0) own the nation’s longest 11-man high school football winning streak with 62 consecutive victories and haven’t lost since October 2010. It’s a streak that has rightfully garnered statewide and national attention.
Meanwhile, Morgan Academy is trying to start its own streak after winning its first game of the year at Pike Liberal Arts last week. The Senators haven’t won back-to-back games since September 5, 2013.
“That we’re the underdogs is an understatement,” said Morgan Academy head coach Jake Wingo. “There will probably be college scouts in the stands and I know there will be a great atmosphere and turnout so we’re excited. We’re going to give them everything we’ve got, prepare as well as we can possibly prepare.”
Wingo regularly describes his schedule as a “great opportunity” and he’s not looking at this week any different, even if it’s a chance for the Morgan football team to make its mark on history.
Wingo said the first part of the game is mental.
“I think some people might have the mentality that they are beat before they play and are not up for it but I’ve been preaching [that] to our guys and our guys are excited,” Wingo said. “We are going to attack the situation.”
There have been some close calls during Edgewood’s streak, but not many. In 2012, the Wildcats won 36-35 at Fort Dale Academy, in 2013 Edgewood defeated Autauga 24-21 and Coosa Valley 38-35. Earlier this year, Escambia kept it close in a 33-21 loss.
Fifty-two of Edgewood’s 62 wins during the win streak have been by double digits, including all four this season. They’ve won 39 games by 30 or more points.
One of those 30-point wins was a 69-14 victory over Morgan in 2014. The Senators are likely to throw a couple of trick plays at the Wildcats this year to try to get on the scoreboard.
“Last year we had a special punt formation where we made them jump offside a couple of times. Little things like that that can get you a little advantage always helps,” Wingo said.
In the end the game will come down to the same things most football games do — penalties, turnovers, controlling the clock and perhaps a little bit of luck, Wingo said.
“Football is a funny game, you never know. You never know which way the ball is going to bounce,” Wingo said. “We could have a great night and they could not, so you just never know.”
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Friday at Morgan Academy.