Grapevine guard plays key offensive, leadership roles

Wyatt Morgan has proven himself to be a stalwart on the Grapevine football team’s offensive line over the last few seasons.

At 6-5 and 285 pounds, not much gets by the Mustangs senior guard, and he can certainly clear a big path for his running backs.

“Wyatt is our best offensive lineman,” coach Randy Jackson said. “He is a big force for us at right guard. He is a terrific run blocker, but has good feet to pass protect also.”

Morgan said that he has spent most of his summer working on his footwork, speed, strength and technique, which he believes will serve him well this season.

“I feel like all of these are important as an offensive lineman,” Morgan said.

The Mustangs finished 8-3 on the regular season in 2015 and went 5-1 in district play, taking the district runner-up spot for the playoffs.

After losing the district opener to Lake Dallas in 2015, the Mustangs went on a 5-0 run to get into the postseason, where they lost to Denton by a score of 12-11 in the bi-district round.

“Last season, I feel we really picked up towards the end,” Morgan said. “We left that playoff game knowing we were meant to win it. And because of that, our season doesn’t mean as much as it should.”

Morgan, 17, bench presses 275 pounds and squats 455 pounds and is also a member of the lacrosse team and track team at Grapevine High School.

The Mustangs lineman said that he tries to bring leadership, knowledge and skill to his team.

“Without those, I feel like we would not be close to where we are,” Morgan said.

In order to improve upon last season and make a longer run in the playoffs, Morgan said that he believes it will come down to putting in a lot of hard work.

“It will take all of us being on the same page and working for each other,” Morgan said. “We must also keep growing and getting better, while also playing as fast and tough as we can.”

Morgan was a first-team all-district selection in 2015, and Jackson said he is the kind of player that inspires his teammates and provides an excellent example for others to follow.

“He has great leadership ability,” Jackson said. “He is a member of our Leadership Council, and when practice is not going great, Wyatt is someone who helps get it going.”

This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 2:58 PM with the headline "Grapevine guard plays key offensive, leadership roles."