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GILBERT SUN NEWS | JULY 25, 2021
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Andrew Morris building winning culture at Mesquite BY DREW SCHOTT
GSN Sports Writer
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n the summer of 2018, Andrew Morris believed he was headed to Chandler High School. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of N’Keal Harry, a standout receiver for the Wolves who played at Arizona State before becoming a first-round pick of the New England Patriots. But during a seven-on-seven competition, numerous players were vying for wideout spots at Chandler. There were so many that coaches asked Morris if he wanted to play defensive end. Morris accepted, but he wanted his shot at wideout. There to offer it was Mesquite High School. After watching the Wildcats play, Morris and his father talked to quarterback Gerardo Saenz and freshman coach Keith Carpenter. Morris was sold. “I’m going ‘Holy cow, what am I thinking?’” Morris said. “‘I gotta be here.’ To me, it wasn’t even a choice.” Since enrolling at Mesquite, Morris has been one of the Wildcats’ impact players on both sides of the ball. He racked up 116 receptions for 1,888 yards and 17 touchdowns at wide receiver from 20182020 and made roughly 180 combined tackles at linebacker – a position he started playing sophomore year – over the past two seasons. However, it is not just Morris’ play that makes an impact. He is a leader whose work ethic has permeated the program. His intelligence and maturity allows him to communicate effectively with teammates. He has a keen understanding of the game, said head coach Scott Hare. These factors have made Morris one of the driving forces of Mesquite’s culture. It is also what motivated him to commit to Marshall, a program he believes epitomizes his football philosophy. He recalled how Mesquit Coach Scott Hare “was tell-
Carter Wojeck said. Hare has coached football for 20 years and said Morris will be Mesquite’s next All-American. Morris’ ability to soak up strategies and execute them on the field are second to none – in part due to “pure instinct and ability,” according to Hare. Yet he was not Mesquite head coach Scott Hare often refers to Morris as Andrew Morris made the decision to leave Chandler heavily recruited. the program’s next All-American behind 2021 graduate Ty and play for Mesquite three years ago, a decision that His only offers came Thompson, who now plays for the University of Oregon. has since paid off both for him as a player and the from Marshall, Ida(Pablo Robles/GSN Staff) Wildcats. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff) ho and New Mexico. Mesquite’s coach ing me he had opportunities to go bigger the last two years. And he’s obviously said this was due in part to coaches not places,” Morris said. “But he picked Mar- come through. As he matures into his being able to come to the Wildcats’ camshall because of the potential Marshall senior year, I think he’s gonna be a man pus because of the pandemic. had. And that’s the same exact thing I playing with boys.” However, Morris has recently been see. I see Marshall being a team where If there is one thing Morris can be contacted by coaches from programs in my sophomore, junior and senior year… trusted with, it is responsibility. During the Big Ten, Pacific-12 and Atlantic Coast there is no reason why we shouldn’t be the opening game of his sophomore year Conferences. winning the conference championship in against Gilbert High School and current Meanwhile, the Thundering Herd made the C-USA.” University of Arizona quarterback Will their interest clear to Morris. Just like at During his freshman year at Mesquite, Plummer, Morris was made middle line- Mesquite, he wants to help build someMorris befriended Ty Thompson — then backer for the first time and given one thing, this time in the Appalachian Mouna sophomore quarterback and both job: stop Plummer. tains. That feeling was affirmed on an ofagreed that they would win a state title Morris finioshed with 11 tackles and ficial visit in June. before they graduate. two sacks and torched Gilbert’s defensive “You either want me or you don’t,” As Thompson became the top prospect backs with four catches for 131 yards and Morris said. “To me, I see those schools from Arizona in the 2021 recruiting class, two touchdowns in a 41-24 win. as they don’t want me. There’s someone Morris was one of his top targets. TogethAccording to senior outside lineback- else on the board. At Marshall, I was their er, they helped lead the Wildcats to back- er Brayden Daly, Morris quickly bonded guy. So that makes me want them more.” to-back 3A Division championships in with the team when he arrived at MesMorris is feeling increased pressure 2019 and 2020. quite. Eventually, he helped set a stan- this season. He said the team was ThompWith Thompson now playing college dard. son’s last year, but now, Morris feels it’s football at Oregon, Morris is taking their When Morris shows up at practice, he his responsibility to lead the Wildcats to pact one step further. He wants a third ti- works hard, both on the field and in the wins and help his teammates achieve at tle before he heads to Huntington, West weight room. And his teammates take no- the highest standard. Virginia. tice and follow his lead, in what he calls He will have a bigger offensive role this “They don’t come a lot better than An- “the snowball effect.” season, playing in the backfield as well as drew,” Hare said. “Those state titles put a “He’s gonna manifest to be the best he wide receiver. Additionally, he is moving lot of weight on Andrew’s shoulder over can be,” senior wide receiver and safety from inside to outside linebacker.
