It’s unique for a high school running back to surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season, but Morgan County has had it happen in back-to-back seasons.
Last year it was Jacere Cooper, and this past Friday night, Jay Dorsey followed in his footsteps for the Bulldogs.
Dorsey rushed for 112 yards and scored a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ 51-6 win over Cross Creek.
Morgan head coach Clint Jenkins was proud of Dorsey’s accomplishments after the game.
“I’m proud of how he’s grown in this program. We knew he had a chance to have a special year,” Jenkins said. “He’s worked hard and earned every bit of it. He credits the guys up front. The other day, Jay was bragging about his offensive line, talking about how good these guys are and how they’re only sophomores. It was such an unselfish thing to say after all the great things he’s done.”
Last season, former running back Cooper rushed for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns while Dorsey split time with him.
As a junior, Dorsey also was productive, totaling 707 yards on 103 rushing attempts and 10 touchdowns. He had two 100-plus-yard games last year.
With Cooper gone, Dorsey took over as the main guy in Morgan County’s offensive attack. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound running back has rushed for 1,112 yards and 14 touchdowns this year as a senior.
Dorsey’s had to balance playing cornerback as well on top of all of his offensive duties. He has been one of the Bulldogs’ top playmakers at defensive back on one of the best defenses in Class 3A.
“I’m super proud. He’s had to pull double duty, too” Jenkins said. “That’s what makes all this so impressive.”
Dorsey wasn’t the only playmaker against Cross Creek on Friday, though. Despite winning by 45 points, the Bulldogs had to fight through some early mistakes and overcome them en route to a win.
Morgan County remarkably led 31-6 at halftime over Cross Creek without scoring an offense touchdown.
“I don’t know if I have ever seen that before,” Jenkins joked. “That’s pretty crazy for all that to happen.”
After a critical mistake on a punt in the first quarter, the Razorbacks set up camp inside the Bulldog 10. However, a few plays later, linebacker Landen Vickers returned a fumble 99 yards for six.
In the second quarter, the Bulldogs led 10-8 before Zach Moore returned a kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown. A few minutes later, Drew Ainslie picked off Cross Creek’s Brandon Wallace and returned it for 59 yards for six. Lastly, Jordan Gordon scored after picking up a blocked punt as well.
Dorsey scored an 80-yard touchdown in the third quarter, pushing Morgan County’s lead to 38-7 over the Razorbacks. Bulldog quarterback Davis Strickland tossed a 22-yard score to Ty Tillery a few minutes later. In the fourth quarter, Talan Fuller hit Drew Ainslie on a 47-yard touchdown strike.
Morgan County’s defensive unit pitched a shutout in the second half, with it being a running clock midway through the third quarter. The Bulldogs coasted the rest of the way until the clock ran out.
“We played well in spurts,” Jenkins said. “I will credit Cross Creek, too. They did a great job on third down, if they needed nine [yards], they’d get 10 yards. It just seemed like we had a hard time getting consistent momentum. We were able to do it defensively and with special teams [in the first half]. Finally, we got the offense going in the second half, but it was an interesting game.”
Next up, No. 7 Morgan County (8-1, 4-0 Region 4-AAA) faces No. 10 Harlem (7-2, 4-0) this Friday.