High school football: Morgan Trojans look like strong title contenders

Note: Morgan finished with an 8-4 overall record in 2009 and a 4-1 mark in Region 11. It lost to Hurricane, 41-9, in the 3A quarterfinals.

MORGAN — Kovi Christiansen knows teams like Juan Diego and Hurricane are considered the class of 3A football again this year, but that's just fine with Morgan High's coach.

"I wouldn't trade my guys for anybody. They're ready to go to battle and I'm ready to go in with them," Christiansen said. "We've got a bunch of good athletes, hard-working kids. I'm pretty excited about what we have coming this year."

Christiansen is hoping hard work helps the Trojans to take the next step.

Morgan posted a respectable 8-4 record last year, but its four losses were all at the hands of eventual 3A semifinalists Juan Diego, Hurricane, Park City and Wasatch. The combined score of those four losses was 154-44.

The worst of those losses was a 48-7 thrashing at home to Park City, but the Trojans' season officially came to a close about 350 miles away with a 41-9 quarterfinal loss to Hurricane.

For sophomore Colby Skinner, that playoff loss was the beginning of his varsity career. Senior starter Matt Largent was unavailable with a broken hand, so Skinner was awarded the unenviable task of making his first career start against one of 3A's elite defenses.

Predictably, Morgan ran the ball almost exclusively, but Hurricane was simply too good and ended the Trojans' season in the playoffs for the second straight year.

For Skinner, he's had nine months to prepare for his next start, and Christiansen believes he's ready.

"I think he's up for the challenge, he's a smart kid, a quick kid. He's been throwing the ball real well," Christiansen said. "We like what he's going to bring to the table."

Skinner has been so impressive, particularly with his arm, that Christiansen is banking on his double Wing-T offense throwing the ball a lot more this year.

Largent only completed 36 percent of his passes last year for 526 yards and five touchdowns. If Skinner can improve that efficiency, Morgan's running game could be quite lethal this year.

Christiansen anticipates that Randon Prochnow, Lawson Toomer, Tad Sargent and Gage Peterson will all make significant contributions at running back this year.

"Two at each wing isn't a bad thing. They can give each other a rest and compliment each other," he said. "I think it's good to have two really good ones at each position."