Morgan County is headed back to the Class 2A quarterfinals for a second straight season.
The No. 4 seed Dogs triumphed over No. 13 Miller Grove 49-28 on Nov. 21 to advance.
“I’m just really proud of our guys,” Morgan County head coach Clint Jenkins said after the game. “They kept fighting, kept punching, and that’s what it takes in the playoffs.”
It was a battle for momentum in the first half.
The Dogs briefly trailed early in the game, as Miller Grove started with the opening possession and scored halfway through the first quarter. Morgan County responded late in the period, when quarterback Davis Strickland threw a 9-yard touchdown to tight end Drew Ainslie to tie things up.
The Wolverines then shortly grabbed the lead back at the start of the second quarter with a rushing touchdown.
However, the Dogs responded on the kickoff, as defensive back Makai Owens returned it 85 yards to the house. Kicker Sylas Hulsey then tied the game at 14-14 with the PAT.
“(Owens’ touchdown) was just a quick answer back, but it’s all a game of momentum,” Jenkins said.
Miller Grove managed to make it deep into the Morgan County territory on the next possession, but it stalled out. The Dogs got a huge stop on fourth down, forcing a turnover on downs. Linebacker Braxton Jones sacked Wolverine quarterback Thomas Winston for a loss of nine yards.
Morgan County then put together a long drive that lasted around six minutes, as Strickland capped it off with a 1-yard quarterback keeper. The Dogs led 21-14 after the PAT and never looked back.
Jenkins’ squad scored once more before the first half was over.
The Morgan County defense forced a punt on the next drive, and the offense went to work.
The Dogs drove 81 yards in under three minutes to extend their lead. Strickland connected with running back Christian Monfort for a chunk gain, which set him up to fire a touchdown pass to receiver Ty Tillery a few plays later. The score and PAT gave them a 28-14 advantage at the half.
Morgan County had another scoring drive to open the third quarter, as Monfort crossed the goal line from five yards out. Later in the period, Strickland tossed a 15-yard touchdown to receiver Cole Wesley.
Miller Grove still showed fight, though, as it returned the kickoff to make it a three-score game.
The teams then traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter, reaching the 49-28 final.
“I credit Miller Grove; they are an excellent football team,” Jenkins said. “We were finally able to get a couple of stops on defense and make them pay right before the half.”
Morgan County’s upcoming opponent is against the No. 12 seed Hapeville Charter. This trip back to the third round marks their first back-to-back quarterfinals appearance in program history.
A victory against the Hornets would mark the Dogs’ first semifinal appearance since 1962.
Jenkins said his team played well against Miller Grove and responded to the adversity it faced early in the game. He looks forward to seeing how his players will compete against Hapeville Charter, which might be the toughest opponent Morgan County has faced all season.
Jenkins is also proud of the back-to-back quarterfinal appearances, showing how far the program has come.
“Super proud of the [second consecutive appearance,] because [before last year] they hadn’t been to the quarterfinals since 1990,” Jenkins said. “To do it two times in a row, man, it says a lot about our kids and coaches.”
The Dogs (12-0) will host the Hornets (8-4) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Bill Corry Stadium. The winner will play either No. 1 Carver or No. 9 Sumter County in the semifinals on Dec. 5.