Jefferson-Morgan looking to replace key skill players on offense

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, August 17, 2018 | 10:24 PM

Coach Aaron Giorgi will be looking to lead Jefferson-Morgan to its first playoff berth since 2012.

To do so, the Rockets will have to improve on last year’s 3-7 overall record that included a 2-5 mark in Class A Tri-County South play.

The first thing they will need to address is making up for the production of the ultra-athletic DL Garrett, who was an All-Tri-County South pick in 2017. The speedy Garrett pulled in 18 catches for 417 yards and made noticeable impact on special teams and defense. Garrett also was a 1,000-point scorer in basketball.

Though he didn’t get as much attention as Garrett, Colten Davidson was another productive member of the offense who graduated. Davidson finished second on the team with 15 catches for 95 yards. The 5-foot-9, 165-pounder was also the Rockets’ leading ball carrier with 739 yards on 147 carries. He tied Garrett with a team-best nine touchdowns.

Though he will be without his top two targets and best ball carrier, senior quarterback Jacob Broadwater is back to run the offense. Broadwater completed 38 of 91 passes for 598 yards, which was the third-highest total in the conference, just behind Ryhan Culberson of Fort Cherry (643) and California’s Collin Phillips (616). The rising senior tossed eight touchdown passes and was intercepted eight times.

Junior Kolin Walker, who tallied 18 carries for 42 yards, is likely to get more carries in the backfield. Sophomore Jonathan Wolfe had 24 carries for 35 yards. Senior Austin Foreman is another player to watch.

The J-M lines will be anchored by rising junior all-conference pick Tyler Wilson. At 5-10, 280 pounds, Wilson is a handful for any opposing lineman. Senior Mike Ludrosky (5-11, 205) also was solid in the trenches last season. Junior Justin Silbaugh and senior Tanner Jones are also top candidates for starting jobs.

Schedule

Coach: Aaron Giorgi

2017 record: 3-7, 2-5

All-time record: 343-436-36

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at Waynesburg, 7 p.m.

8.31, Chartiers-Houston*, 7 p.m.

9.7, at Mapletown*, 7 p.m.

9.14, at Monessen*, 7 p.m.

9.21, Avella*, 7 p.m.

9.28, California*, 7 p.m.

10.5, at Riverview, 7 p.m.

10.12, at OLSH, 7 p.m.

10.19, West Greene*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Bentworth*, 7 p.m.

*Class A Tri-County South Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Jacob Broadwater

38-91, 598 yards, 8 TDs

Rushing: Colten Davidson*

147-739 yards, 9 TDs

Receiving: Dennis Garrett*

18-417 yards, 9 TDs

*Graduated

Tags: Jefferson-Morgan