After some position battles during fall camp, Trojans football heads into the preseason

The consensus No. 1 preseason pick in Class 3A across most media polls, the Morgan Trojans football team is making final preparations for what could be a great season. One, according to Trojans head coach Jared Barlow, that could see a few roster changes on offense and defense. 

“We are starting to see some separation in positions with starters and back-ups,” said Barlow, who along with his staff are overseeing competitions at several spots. 

“I love the competition everyone is giving each other,” added Barlow, who will not name the starters publicly until game time of Morgan’s home tilt [6 p.m.] against Crimson Cliffs this Friday, Aug. 16. “It is such a positive to have so many talented athletes that push each other all the time.” 

While Barlow stopped short of mentioning any names out of fairness to everyone working their tails off this summer, he said he’s pleased with the progress the whole team’s been making as the Trojans wrapped up the last week of fall camp. 

“The offense and defense are cleaning things up and the players are really starting to get a pretty good idea of what we want to do,” said Barlow. 

The big news of the week though is that the Trojans will finally get to play a game, one against the defending 4A champions Friday night in a rematch that is already gaining statewide attention. Morgan lost at Crimson Cliffs last year by the score of 15-35 after the Mustangs blasted ahead for good with 21 second-quarter points. 

Under third-year head coach Wayne Alofipo, Crimson Cliffs shut out two of its four opponents at last year’s state tournament and delivered a 33-0 pasting of Green Canyon in the championship game. 

The following week will see the Trojans back at home again as they’ll entertain Sky View Thursday Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. 

4A quarterfinalists but perennial powers in that classification, the Sky View Bobcats out of northern Cache County head into Morgan County with a high-powered offense that put up 88 points in two state tournament games and features a new head coach. 

This week’s game against Crimson Cliffs will also reach a personal milestone of sorts for Barlow, who will be at the helm of his 50th game in charge of the Trojans. 

As the reigning 3A semifinalists turn over what they hope will be a new leaf and open a new season after a fairly successful summer, Morgan’s fifth-year coach marveled at how the summer’s been going so far. 

“Hard to believe that we have one week until our first game,” said Barlow, who in 49 games at the helm of Morgan has only lost 11 times. “Time flies when you are having so much fun.” 

Girls soccer 

The Trojans opened their preseason with a wild one at Box Elder Tuesday Aug. 6. After regulation ended with the teams tied at 2-2, the Trojans fell by the final score of 2-3 when BE slammed in a goal in overtime. Scoring were Lacie Poll and Emma Toone who were assisted by Macie Burton and Poll. 

In their home opener, however, the Trojans won 8-0 versus Roy Wednesday Aug. 7. Kapree Charlton scored three times, Poll twice and Amy Thomas, Reece Crowther and Saige Jones once each. Maddie Fisher recorded five saves, earning the shutout. 

To wrap up the week, the Trojans were back home against Bonneville Friday Aug. 9 but lost, 0-3. λ