Morgan Embracing “Underdog” Role During Historic Football Playoff Run

MCCONNELSVILLE, OH – When Seth Brown entered his second season as head coach of the Morgan Raiders football team, surely, this is what he envisioned. The team has increased its 2024 win total by six games.

“Absolutely, we’re happy.”

Morgan is just one of three Muskingum Valley League teams remaining in the playoffs, following the program’s first ever playoff victory in week eleven.

“What it means to so many people, it’s just a proud moment to be a Raider” says Brown. He adds that several former players, coaches, and community members have reached out to the team this season.

Senior quarterback Haiden Pauley says, “That’s huge, I mean, to do it with this group, it just means the world. We made history here, and it’s something we’ll never forget.”

Junior running back Tanner Bankes was a member of the two-win Raiders a year ago, and appreciates the community’s support. “It is a big deal, especially with Morgan County. We’re a small county, everybody knows each other, it’s a huge deal” says Bankes. “For the team, that’s just history made, it’s crazy.”

Up next for the upstart Raiders is the biggest game in years, when they travel to Wheelersburg to face not only the number one seed, but an unbeaten Pirates team in week twelve.

Senior wide receiver Arlis Ponchak has all the confidence heading into the difficult matchup. “I’m feeling good, confident. We’ve got nothing to lose out here, and they got everything to lose. They’re sitting up top, we’re the underdogs, and who don’t love a good underdog story?”

A mixture of confidence and pride continues to fill Coach Brown.

“When you’re got Morgan, who has one win in their playoff history, versus a storied program with some thirty-odd state appearances” says Brown, who appears to be taking all-comers.

“We don’t care who we’re playing, give us the New York Giants. Morgan football is in week twelve for the first time in school history. We’re excited to be here and we’re just going to lay it all out there and giver it our best shot.”

A true ‘Davis versus Goliath’ story, and these Raiders don’t mind that one bit.