Note: Morgan finished with a 6-4 overall record in 2014 and was third in 3A North with a 3-2 record. It lost to Manti 12-7 in the 3A quarterfinals.
MORGAN — En route to winning last year’s 3A championship, Judge steamrolled pretty much every 3A team on its schedule except one — Morgan.
It beat Juab by 49 points in the championship, and enjoyed a 28-point average margin of victory. In fact, in Judge's 10 games against 3A teams, Morgan was the only team that came within two touchdowns of the Bulldogs when it lost 14-9 in the regular season finale.
Judge needed a fourth quarter touchdown to rally for that win, and the Trojans were confident about a rematch if their playoff paths ever crossed. They never did though. Morgan lost to Manti 12-7 a week later in the 3A quarterfinals.
Morgan ended last season with the second-best scoring defense in 3A, and coach Kovi Christiansen believes that’s what his team is going to hang its hat on again in 2015.
“I really like the way our defense is looking. We have athletes over there and we have speed on that side of the ball,” said Christiansen, who’s entering his ninth season as Morgan’s head coach.
In the weeks leading up to the season opener, Morgan’s coaching staff has stressed with the players the importance of being sure tacklers and swarming to the football.
“It’s something we’ve done a good job of in the past and we want to continue to do,” said Christiansen.
With uncertainty at quarterback this season, a strong defense will be that much more important as the offense gets things sorted out.
“I’m kind of excited and looking forward to them giving us some opportunities on offense to get the ball in better situations to help the offense out a little bit,” said Christiansen.
At one point quarterback looked like it would be a strength for Morgan, but projected starter Nick Porter moved to Lehi with his family. He was an all-state defensive back last season for the Trojans, and was expected to take on a larger role his senior year.
His departure opened the door for Tucker Skinner and Connor Savage to battle it out for the starting QB position, with Skinner ultimately winning the job. Christiansen said the coaching staff will simplify the offensive game plan in the beginning for Skinner.
“We’ve cut out quite a few things, and tried to make it easy for them to manage the game. As they get a little bit of experience and a little confidence we’ll be able to add a few more wrinkles here and there,” he said.
If an experienced offensive line can get the running game going each week, Skinner should have no problem easing into the season.
Bridger Snyder, Carson Rupe and Hunter Beddoes are all returning starters on the offensive line, while Jarred Carrigan and Chucko Kane are expected to be key contributors too. The experience should help Morgan’s running game get back on track — because by its own standards it wasn’t that good last year.
In 2013 when Morgan advanced to the 3A semifinals it rushed for over 3,000 yards as a team. Last year, it barely eclipsed 1,700 yards.
Had Morgan’s defense not been one of the best in 3A last year, it probably would’ve finished with a losing record.
Two players have Christiansen excited about a potential revival in the running game. First, returning starter Spencer Larsen has great moves and is difficult to catch.
“I’d probably have a difficult time catching him in a BMW,” said Christiansen.
Last season Larsen finished third on the team with 200 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Wyatt Ekblad hopes to strengthen the ground game as well. An all-state defensive lineman last season, he’s taking over the fullback duties in 2015 and the potential is there for a great season.
“He’s a tough kid. He’s one of those kids who’s a good wrestler as well. His center of gravity is tough to move,” said Christiansen.
On the defensive side of the ball, that same center of gravity makes Ekblad very difficult to block and he looks to build upon last year’s 54 tackles and six touchdowns.
Morgan’s linebacker core has the potential to be a great asset too. Logan Cameron is the lone returning starter in the bunch, but Bridger Snyder, Austin Francis and Conley Breshears all have the potential to be really good.
Morgan Trojans at a glance
Coach: Kovi Christiansen is entering his ninth season as Morgan’s head coach with a career coaching record of 60-31. He’s a graduate of Lovell High in Wyoming.
Offense (4 returning starters; Double Wing-T offense)
Offensive coordinator: John Millward
Returning offensive starters
Bridger Snyder (OL)
Carson Rupe (OL)
Hunter Beddoes (OL)
Spencer Larsen (RB)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Jarred Carrigan (OL)
Chucko Kane (OL)
Wyatt Ekblad (FB)
Defense (3 returning starters, 4-3 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Jared Barlowe
Returning defensive starters
Wyatt Ekblad (DL)
Spencer Larsen (CB)
Logan Cameron (LB)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Ryan Millburn (CB)
Bridger Snyder (LB)
Austin Francis (LB)
Conley Breshears (LB)
Coaches preseason 3A North straw poll: Second
Deseret News 3A North prediction: Second
Bottom line: It’s hard to believe that the team with the second best defense in 3A last season didn’t make it past the quarterfinals. That was the reality for Morgan, whose running game never lived up to expectations. It will make or break the season again. By all accounts, Morgan’s defense should be very strong, and might consistently hold the better teams in 3A to about 14 points. That’s what it did to Judge and Manti the final two games of the season, but it still lost both games. If Morgan expects to compete with the top teams in its region for a home playoff game, it needs to be much more efficient offensively.
Last 5
2014 — 6-4 (3-2 in 3A North – 3A Quarterfinals)
2013 — 9-3 (4-1 in 3A North – 3A Semifinals)
2012 — 7-5 (5-1 in Region 11 – 3A Quarterfinals)
2011 — 7-3 (4-2 in Region 11 – 3A First round)
2010 — 8-3 (3-2 in Region 11 – 3A First round)
Morgan coaching history
2007-current — Kovi Christiansen (60-31)
1997-2006 — Renn Hoopes (81-33)
1994-1996 — Mike Grajek (19-10)
1990-1993 — Blaine Monkres (32-9)
1988-1989 — Steve Coburn (13-6)
1985-1987 — Jan Smith (113-59-1)
1984 — Dave Christiansen (5-4)
1972-1983 — Jan Smith (113-59-1)
1971 — Richard Rodak (3-6-1)
1969-1970 — Brent Thorne (9-11)
1967-1968 — Joe Dilworth (11-7-1)
1962-1966 — Bob Wilson (15-24)
1961 — Bob Wilson/Don Johnson (2-6)
1958-1960 — Don Johnson/Don Guest (7-11-1)
1957 — Jack Raymond (0-6)
1950-1956 — Kent Murdock (12-19-1)
1949 — Tally Stevens (3-3-1)
1947-1948 — Garth Bellston (10-3-4)
1946 — Francis Porter (5-4-1)
1941-1945 — Fred Bohman (8-22-1)
1939-1940 — Bill Cowley (10-2-2)
1929-1938 — Wes Schwab (19-24-3)
1928 — I.L. Peterson (1-2-1)
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — Bridger Streadbeck, TE
2014 — Wyatt Ekblad, DL
2014 — Nick Porter, DB
2013 — Kade Carrigan, RB
2013 — Kyle Stapley, OL
2012 — Lantzen Toomer, Specialist
2011 — Boston Saunders, DL
2010 — Tad Sargent, RB
2009 — Jordan Wamsley, SP
2008 — Jake Kinsey, DB
2008 — Chad Crossley, OL
2005 — Alan Tucker, QB
2005 — Mike Rose, DB
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.