Leaving His Options Open

His Legs Are His Biggest Asset but PaliHi QB Preon Morgan Will Look to Pass First

The future was looking bright for the Palisades High football program last spring. The Dolphins were coming off a 5-5 season (four more wins than the season before) and looked forward to more production from an offense seemingly on the verge of flourishing under the leadership of returning quarterback Conner Preston. The scenario changed in a flash when Preston unexpectedly transferred to Gardena Serra, leaving Head Coach Kelly Loftus wondering who would step in and be his starting quarterback. Well, he didn’t have to wonder for long. It was pretty clear who Preston’s successor should be: none other than Preon Morgan, the back-up signal caller last year and maybe the most versatile athlete on the varsity team. Morgan gets his first opportunity to show that versatility when the Dolphins play under the lights at Hollywood on Friday night, a game he has looked forward to, and diligently prepared for, since winning the job in May. “He’s a different style quarterback than Conner,” Loftus said. “Conner is extremely accurate when you give him time in the pocket, while Preon is more of an instinctual runner. He makes things happen with his legs and we like him doing that.” Though he’s not shy about tucking the ball away and scampering for the sticks, the 6′ 0,” 175-pound senior insists he will look to pass first. “One of my individual goals is to have more passing yards than rushing yards,” Morgan said. “Hopefully, being a threat to run will make the defense have to keep a linebacker home to guard that, which should free up a receiver down the field. The key is to take what the defense gives me.” Little did he know it back then, but playing wide receiver himself last year was invaluable experience for Morgan, who learned the importance of running precise patterns and now has a better understanding of when and where to deliver the ball. He wound up with 19 receptions for 217 yards and, by the end of the season, was a reliable target for Preston, who threw for 2,026 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore. Morgan’s arm strength has always been there (he routinely throws 60-yard spirals in practice) but it is his improved timing on shorter throws that has surprised Loftus and new offensive coordinator Kris Hawkes most over the last four weeks. “Preon throws a real catchable ball and I think he’s going to surprise people with his arm,” Hawkes said. “He can get it there on the money, where it needs to be, and if the other team stacks the box he’s got the green light to air it out.” Morgan is no stranger to the position. He played quarterback for his Pop Warner team, the Inglewood Jets, and he took his share of reps in the back-up role last season. Now, the spotlight is squarely on him and he wants to make the most of his time on center stage. One of the first battles he won was earning the respect of the teammates charged with protecting him–Palisades’ offensive linemen. “Preon loves football and he is one of the hardest working guys out here,” said guard Juan Climaco, one of the Dolphins’ “Three Amigos” along with center Devyn Reyes and tackle William Goldberg. “We definitely have his back and I’m excited to see what he does when we protect him like we should.” Preston was not the only player to leave Palisades for another school. Starting wideout/defensive back Tyquion Ballard and tight end/linebacker Deandre Nelson also departed, meaning several Dolphins–Morgan included–will be asked to play ironman football this season. Despite Preston’s desire to play defense, Loftus was hesitant to play him both ways. This year, it’s a different story. “We don’t have a choice,” Loftus admitted. “Preon is one of the best athletes we have and we need him out there. He knows the situation and he’s a competitive kid. He understands the risks but he wants to be on the field any chance he gets.” Morgan proved himself at cornerback last season, making 53 tackles (including a team-high 11 solo tackles in a 21-0 shutout of Granada Hills), then intercepting a pass and blocking a punt in Week 5 against Reseda. He hopes to play 50 percent on offense and 50 on defense. Even though it was only a scrimmage, Morgan looked sharp running Palisades’ spread offense last Friday against Washington. He directed the first team on several long drives that likely would have ended in scores had the Dolphins not run out of downs (teams were allowed four sets of 10 plays, starting at their own 20). Varsity assistant coach Al Heath liked what he saw in the practice game and is confident that Morgan will display the same poise and execution under center in tomorrow’s season opener: “He made some nice reads, some nice throws, and moved the chains.” Whether throwing quick slants or long bombs, Morgan is eager to show he is not merely a one-dimensional quarterback. If it means pitching the ball on an option, standing his ground in the face of a blitz or putting his head down and running, he will do whatever it takes to win. “I can’t wait to get the season started,” he said. “I believe we can go 7-3 and make the playoffs. Being a good quarterback is about making the right decision. Whatever the situation calls for I’ll do.”