The Morgan County boys soccer team enters the 2026 season facing an unusual start — and an immediate test.
After weather disruptions and scheduling issues wiped out the Dogs’ usual preseason scrimmage schedule, Morgan County opened the year without the benefit of a true practice game. Instead, the team spent the early weeks of the season scrimmaging internally while battling ice, snow, and inconsistent training conditions.
“It’s just been a little weird start to the season,” head coach Aaron Paul said. “We’ve just been scrimmaging each other.”
Despite the unconventional buildup, Paul remains optimistic about his program's position. That confidence comes even after graduating eight starters from last season’s roster — the most turnover he has faced in a single year.
“That always makes things interesting,” Paul said. “But I feel good. We’ve got good players. We’ve got a good program. We’ve been consistent in what we try to do.”
The Dogs return with experience in key spots up front, with seniors Korbin Hedgwood and Larson Detienne expected to anchor the attack. Both will be relied upon not only for production but for leadership as younger players adjust to expanded roles.
Another name to watch is sophomore Ashland Outlaw, who started extensively as a freshman last season. Paul expects Outlaw to take another step forward this year, both on the field and as a leader.
“I’ve got high expectations for him,” Paul said. “He’s a great player, but I’m hoping he steps up even more.”
While Morgan County features returning pieces in its attacking group, much of the lineup behind them will be new — whether players are stepping into starting roles for the first time or adjusting to new positions.
Paul described the early portion of the season as a puzzle still coming together.
“We have a lot of pieces,” he said. “We’ve just got to make sure they’re all in the right spot.”
That process will be tested immediately.
Morgan County’s schedule is front-loaded with some of the toughest opponents it will see all year, including a season opener against Lake Oconee Academy, the reigning Class A Division II state champion, followed closely by matchups with Oconee County and Eastside.
“You’ve got to play good people to see where you are,” Paul said.
Last season, Morgan County won its fifth straight region championship and entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in Class 2A under the GHSA’s new power rating system. However, the Dogs were eliminated in the Sweet 16, a result Paul said fell short of the team’s potential.
“I truly felt like last year’s team was at least an Elite Eight team,” he said. “We just didn’t play well in that playoff game.”
As the new season begins, Paul said the focus is on evaluation and growth, not results alone, especially in the opening weeks.
“This one game doesn’t define who we are in March and April and hopefully May,” he said. “We’re going to take it a step at a time and use it to get better.”
For Paul, the excitement comes from finally turning his team loose.
“You practice for so long,” he said. “It’s time to let them play somebody else and see what happens.”
Morgan County defeated LOA in penalty kicks in the first game, followed by a 4-0 loss to Oconee County. The Dogs will return to the pitch on Feb. 24, at home against Eastside, before beginning region play.