Morgan County leaned on senior Jaydon Dorsey in its 56-7 win over Richmond Academy this past Friday.
The Bulldogs’ running back rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns, while also averaging nine yards per attempt. Dorsey also had an interception on defense against the Musketeers in Friday’s region win.
“Really proud of Jay and what he’s done this year,” Morgan County head coach Clint Jenkins said. “You could always see the potential the last couple of years and to see it coming to fruition this year is awesome. He’s worked hard and has bought into what we’re doing. He’s been a leader on our football team and he’s doing a great job. It’s fun to see him reaping some of those benefits.”
Morgan County (5-1, 1-0 Region 4-AAA) had a big first half, leading Richmond Academy 42-0 at the end of it. The Bulldogs were in control from the start of the half and at the end of the second quarter.
Morgan County forced a few turnovers and took advantage of key ARC mistakes. The offense, defense and special teams played complimentary football across the board, leading the Bulldogs to victory.
“You always worry coming out of a bye week. We were coming off two really physical games,’ Jenkins said. “We talked about starting fast and I think the kids did that. We came out and started fast and I think we forced some miscues on their part. And then they had some miscues that didn’t have anything to do with us, which helps, too. I am really proud of kids getting out of the gate fast.”
Morgan scored on its first possession as quarterback Talan Fuller rolled around to his right and tossed a five-yard touchdown to tight end Draco Frazzitta, giving the Bulldogs the only lead of the night.
Dorsey then took over as he scored from a few yards out on the second drive. His touchdown was set up as Fuller connected with wide receiver Dallas Dickerson for a 50-yard gain inside the ARC five.
On the ensuing possession, Dorsey picked off the Musketeer quarterback. Davis Strickland then hit Jaylen Elder for a long gain, followed by Dorsey scoring with 40 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs’ offense kept grinding behind a mix of running behind Dorsey and the defense making plays. Senior defensive Trevon Rhodes scored next on a scoop-and-score off a botched snap.
“We talk to our defense about picking [the ball] up and running with it [until the refs] blow it dead because you never know when you pick it up, they might not blow it dead and you can score. I’m big on that,” Jenkins said. “Trevon made a great play. It was a really good heads-up play by him.”
ARC finally put together a drive but it was stalled out as Morgan County’s special teams unit blocked a field goal, leading to Elder scoring next on a 68-yard sweep to put the Bulldogs up 35-0.
On the ensuing possession, Morgan’s defense forced its third turnover of the half and recovered a fumble. Strickland’s second touchdown pass was to wideout Jamarius Benford at the end of the quarter.
Adding insult to injury, Dorsey scored from 70 yards out on the ground during the second play from scrimmage on Morgan’s opening possession of the third quarter, giving the Bulldogs a 49-0 lead.
Strickland was a perfect 6-of-6 passing for 94 yards and a touchdown. Fuller completed 6-of-9 passes for 86 yards and a score. Christian Monfort had 52 rushing yards with a touchdown in the win.
Jaylen Elder had one rush for a total of 68 yards and a touchdown, while he also hauled in two passes for 55 yards. Dickerson had one catch for 50 yards and Ty Tillery caught two passes for 24 yards.
“I was impressed with the outcome,” Jenkins said. “We’ve got to cut down on penalties, but we played tough.”