Experienced Raiders enter season with confidence

McCONNELSVILLE - Ending last season on a winning note has provided confidence among the returning contingent at Morgan.

Derek Bragg, who enters his third season, has seen it carry over throughout the offseason into practices and scrimmages.

“We have players saying they understand what we want to do better now than they did at Week 10 last year,” Bragg said. “We’re still building, but they have to continue to believe in themselves.

“The win to end last season was a confidence boost, and the guys worked harder coming into this season,” he added. “We didn’t have that ‘it factor’ to win some games late last season so getting over that hump is our focus.”

Progress was shown last season. The Raiders quadrupled their offensive output and were able to develop depth with more than 30 players returning to the program.

Morgan also finished fourth in a 7-on-7 tournament this summer at Marietta and performed well in a three-way scrimmage with Fort Frye and South Point earlier this month.

“Our guys are more comfortable in our system,” Bragg said. “We looked good at points in our scrimmage and saw spots where we need to get better and make small adjustments. Having more experience with our upperclassmen will help because our guys are working hard and executing their technique.”

Both sides of the ball will be led by veterans, especially in the trenches.

Seniors Scott Harry, Logan Harrelson, Alex Church, Cameron Meadows and David Shuster provide experience on the offensive line, while junior Joey Welsh and sophomores Cameron Hoskinson and Logan Cole add depth to that group.

“(The lines) are going to be the key to our season,” Bragg said. “You have to be able to control the line of scrimmage if you want to give yourself a chance to win.

“Our offensive line needs to be able to open holes and pass protect,” he added. “(Defensively), we have to make the right reads and execute. All of those will be important for us.”

Junior quarterback Dakota Leopold saw valuable time last season, starting several games. He was able to complete 51-of-108 passes for 603 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Bragg noted Leopold is prepared to lead the pistol zone offense. It will have multiple looks, including using two-back sets and relying on wing-t elements.

Leopold will have help in the backfield despite the graduation of Jerome Mayle. Senior Trace Coleman and junior Andrew Buchanan highlight the running back contingent; senior Jordan Leedham, sophomore Wes Pauley and Davis will share time at halfback; and senior Dylan Johnson and junior Cole Earich are among the players vying for time on the ends.

Seniors Blake Apperson, Austin Kennedy and Wyatt Niceswanger and junior Ethan Newton highlight the group of wide receivers and tight ends.

The offense comes down to Leopold running the offense efficiently and correctly.

“Dakota can throw well, and he will have some weapons,” he said. “We want to run first, but we need to be able to protect him when he goes back to pass. It still comes down to him running and executing our offense.”

The Raiders will run a 5-2 on defense behind the strength of an experienced group up front, headlined by several offensive linemen.

The linebackers also have depth. Shuster, Pauley and Leedham are battling for time as the inside backer, while Coleman, Buchanan, Apperson and senior Jesse Vickers are among the candidates on the outside.

Bragg also noted several starters return in the secondary with Johnson and Newton back at cornerback and Earich at safety. Niceswanger and senior Jon Matson are battling for the other safety spot, while senior Tristen Hartley and junior Tristen Lacy also could see time there.

Newton also returns as the Raiders’ kicker and punter.

“We have seen a difference with this team, and it’s benefited us in practice,” Bragg said. “The competition is making everyone work harder because they are fighting for position and playing time.

“It is also helping our depth,” he added. “We want to be able to rotate people in and take advantage of that so we can stay fresh and go hard every play.”

Winning is at the forefront of Morgan’s thoughts. The Raiders haven’t won more than two games in a season since going 6-4 in 2007.

Morgan also ended a 19-game losing streak by beating West Muskingum in last season’s finale.

Bragg wants to see the Raiders come out strong in the opener against Marietta. The Tigers have won every meeting since the two started this series in 2009, including the past two games by identical 42-0 scores.

“We have to consistently score points and play solid defense,” Bragg said. “We haven’t done that, and the Marietta game is the key to our season. We don’t want to start on a downturn, knowing we have to head to Tri-Valley in Week 2.”

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