Morgan football preview: Quarterback battle, staff changes shaping senior-heavy Trojans
Larsen moves to OC; Sheffield, Randall in the mix for QB
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- Morgan junior Cade Randall drops back for a pass during an evening practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Morgan.
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- Morgan head football coach Jared Barlow oversees a drill during an evening practice on Thursday, Aug 1, 2024, in Morgan.
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- Morgan players concentrate on their footwork during an evening practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Morgan.
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- Morgan senior Luke Wheeler zeros in on the ball during an evening practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Morgan.
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- A Morgan player’s helmet shines in the sun during an evening practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Morgan.
MORGAN — Jared Barlow doesn’t let his players walk at practice. It’s part of a standard the Morgan High head coach sets for his team at the beginning of each season.
And it’s for good measure. Not long ago, the Trojans were crowned 3A state champions in 2022 and picked up the program’s 15th region title during their latest campaign (8-4, 5-0 3A North) after a 1-3 start with losses to Crimson Cliffs, Sky View and Green Canyon.
Turning the tables to win their region, Morgan ripped off seven consecutive wins leading up to a 35-21 loss to Manti in the semifinal round of the state championships. Now, the Trojans are reloading with a laundry list of senior stars and some changes inside the coaching staff.
Barlow returns assistant coach Matt Larsen, who will be moving from defensive coordinator to offensive coordinator to make room for his brother, Nate, to come aboard as defensive coordinator. Both Larsen brothers are former Morgan players and Matt has spent the past four season as the Trojans’ DC.
The Trojans return a heated competition at quarterback, with senior Beck Sheffield and junior Cade Randall each vying for the starting job. Barlow’s been overjoyed by the nature of their offseason workouts and hopes that competitive spice rubs off on the rest of his roster.
Sheffield completed 199 passes for 2,533 yards and 25 touchdowns as the starter last season.
“They’ve been pushing each other since the (2023) season ended,” Barlow said. “(Randall) goes to most programs in the state and he’s a starter, so just the dynamic of them pushing each other while both trying to start, building each other up, helping each other out — those are the kinds of competitions I like to see.”
Senior Lincoln Gilson (WR/FS), Morgan’s leading receiver with 930 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, backs up his head coach’s assessment. Gilson said both quarterbacks are chasing perfection and should each be Week 1-ready when decision time comes.
“I’ve been working with both of the quarterbacks every day of the summer,” Gilson said. “Every single route that we have, there’s a timing that the ball needs to be out and off my break, the ball’s there. … Every team runs a post, right? So it’s like how do you differentiate yourself from different teams on the same route? It’s our timing and chemistry we’ve been building all summer.”
Multiple weapons are set to return alongside Gilson. Seniors Krew Galbraith (ILB/RB), Tate Steel (DE/TE) and Jack Despain (CB/WR) are all expected to step up their roles at receiver. Gilson added that he’s excited to see what junior Luke Bauerle can bring to the table in the wide receiver’s room.
Galbraith said that Morgan hadn’t encouraged doubling up on positions until the past couple of seasons.
“We had a rule for a while that you couldn’t play both ways,” Galbraith said. “You lose a few kids here and there and you have to stretch the team.”
But the Trojans have been able to identify potential breakout stars thanks to how multiple the roster has become. Seniors Bradlee Walters (G), Max Mueller and Nik Preece (OLB/DE/WR) are set to fill voids on both sides of the trenches, Galbraith added.
Naturally, the hope for a more versatile roster starts in the weight room. Barlow’s put his team through a thorough weightlifting program this summer with the intent of breeding “explosive plays.”
“One of the biggest things we want is to be known as a physical team,” Barlow said. “It starts up front with the offensive line. If you can dominate physically, everything else will fall into place. We want to be known for our physicality, we want to be explosive.”
As part of the Trojans’ preparation, Barlow assigned “families” to promote camaraderie outside of practice. Players are encouraged to set their own workout times and jump into spaces outside of football, such as hiking, fishing, or Buffalo Wild Wings.
Barlow, agreeing with Galbraith and Gilson, feels chemistry gives the Trojans the edge.
“We try to focus on player-driven things,” Barlow said. “A lot of the returning guys want to step up and take some leadership. They get groups together throughout the summer and they put together their own times to work and be together.
“I think some people come in and they’re like, ‘what is this town?'” Gilson added. “It’s small, they don’t know that we actually play some good football down here though.”
MORGAN NOTES
Last season: 8-4 (5-0 3A North)
Head coach: Jared Barlow (Fifth season at Morgan)
Players to watch:
• Beck Sheffield, QB, Senior; 199 completions, 2,533 yards, 25 TDs
• Cade Randall, QB, Junior; 30 completions, 480 yards, 5 TDs
• Krew Galbraith, ILB/RB, Senior; 35 tackles
• Lincoln Gilson, WR/FS, Senior; 63 receptions, 930 yards, 11 TDs, 27 tackles
• Abram Anderton, SS/FS, Senior; 35 tackles, 1 INT
• Nik Preece, OLB/DE/WR, Senior; 34 tackles, 2.0 sacks
• Tate Steele, DE/TE, Senior; 31 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 1 INT
• Jack Despain, CB/WR, Senior; 17 tackles, 2 INT
• Bradlee Walters, G, Senior
• Max Mueller, T, Senior
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 16 – Crimson Cliffs
Aug. 22 – Sky View
Aug. 31 – Skyline (Idaho)
Sept. 6 – @ Layton Christian
Sept. 13 – Kearns
Sept. 20 – @ Juan Diego Catholic*
Sept. 27 – @ Ben Lomond*
Oct. 4 – Grantsville*
Oct. 11 – Ogden*
Oct. 17 – @ Union*
*Denotes 3A North region game.
Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.