High school football previews – Morgan Raiders

MCCONNELSVILLE, Ohio – When you’re the only high school in your entire county, there can be a lot of pressure.

The Raiders are entering year four under head coach and Morgan alum Derek Bragg. Each year under Bragg the Raiders have improved their win total. Now they’re looking to take the next step.

Morgan went winless in Bragg’s first season. In 2015 they finished with one victory, and last year they jumped up to 5-5.

“It’s our goal to win every game, win a MVL championship, and hopefully get a shot at the playoffs. That’s the goal you have to set for yourself every year,” said Bragg.

Morgan returns ten seniors this year and a number of starters at the skill positions. But Bragg said the line has been one of the biggest challenges.

“We’re replacing our whole offensive line. But we’ve got some juniors and one senior that have stepped up and have done a real good job for us,” said Bragg.

Morgan returns their entire backfield from last season, including leading rusher and scorer Cole Earich and quarterback Dakota Leopold. Leopold, now a senior, threw for 1,208 yards last year, sixth most in school history.

Senior linebacker and running back Andrew Buchanan said this senior class doesn’t just have good numbers, they’re also a close group.

“Most of us have been playing together since the fifth grade. So this will be close to our tenth year playing together. We’ve got a nice bond together. We’re all friends. We all have each other’s backs,” said Buchanan.

And as for being the only team in the whole county, Bragg knows what it means to represent Mo-Co. He was an all-Ohio back for the Raiders in 2004. He said it’s a tremendous honor to get to represent your county.

“Kids travel a long way. So there’s a lot pride being shown by the 42 kids that are here,” said Bragg.

The Raiders start the season with three straight road games. They’ll take on non-conference foe Marietta first, on Aug. 25.

2017 Schedule 

8/25 at Marietta
9/1 at Tri-Valley
9/8 at New Lexington
9/15 West Muskingum
9/22 Crooksville
9/29 Maysville
10/6 at John Glenn
10/13 Shenandoah
10/20 at Philo
10/27 Sheridan