Morgan County dominated Warren County in its season opener with a 48-16 victory last Friday at home.
The Dogs’ offense didn’t skip a beat, totaling 617 yards across four quarters to power them to a win.
“We moved the ball well,” Morgan head coach Cliint Jenkins said.
The scoring frenzy started in the first quarter, where Morgan scored 20 points and only gave up eight.
Quarterback Davis Strickland hit Jay Elder in stride for a 56-yard touchdown, giving their team a lead it never gave up. The Dogs quickly scored again, with Strickland tossing a 22-yard ball to Ty Tillery.
Trailing 14-0, Warren finally got on the board as Cedarius Johnson broke off a 79-yard run for a touchdown. The Screaming Devils successfully converted a two-point play, cutting Morgan’s lead to 13-8.
The Dogs slowed their tempo on the next possession and methodically drove the field’s length. A few tough runs by Camden County transfer Jasper Cason set Alex Corrias up for a short rushing score.
Things turned worse for Warren when Strickland connected with Elder again. This time, the junior signal caller completed a 44-yard pass to the senior wideout, who raced toward the goal line for six.
However, despite leading 27-8 toward the end of the second quarter, Warren entered halftime with some momentum after a Morgan turnover led to a score. The Screaming Devils reached the end zone again on a long touchdown run. Sophomore Noah Merriweather rushed 66 yards for the score.
The Screaming Devils went for two and converted it, only trailing 27-16 heading into halftime.
Jenkins admitted his team didn’t handle the end of the first half like it should’ve.
“It felt like we didn’t manage the end of the half very well, but we challenged the guys at halftime,” Jenkins said. “Offensively to come out strong, and defensively, where they’d given up a few long runs.”
The second half was a different story, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Dogs held Warren scoreless and stopped the Screaming Devils on several pivotal fourth downs. Meanwhile, the offense regained momentum, scoring 21 in the third quarter, securing their first victory of the year.
Running back Jordan Gordon broke off a 50-yard touchdown run while Cason added a six-yard score. Finally, Strickland tossed his fourth touchdown pass to Drew Ainslie, his third scoring target.
Strickland completed 16 of 21 passes for a career-high 342 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Elder was his favorite target. He hauled in seven passes for 178 yards and two scores. Elder set a single-game record for receiving yards, previously held by TJ Thompson (160 yards).
Cason carried the load on the ground with 150 yards on 18 carries and a score. Corrias totaled 66 yards on three carries with a touchdown, while Gordon added 49 yards on four carries with a score.
Jenkins was concerned about his team’s ability to run the ball heading into the opener but was pleased.
“That was a little bit of a concern after both scrimmages. But with the running game leading the way, Jasper [Cason] gave us a charge,” Jenkins said. “I felt like we played better up front. We’ve been shuffling and moving some guys around, trying to figure out our best combination. We were happy to get some production. Jasper was a huge surprise, and Alex [Corrias] also played well.”
Morgan will hope to continue that momentum this Friday on the road at rival Putnam County in Eatonton.