2009 O-D Bowl announces first commitments

Aug. 20, 2008

Dinwiddie (Va.) High quarterback Adam Morgan is chasing a record, and may get more along the way.

In addition to trying to break Vicqual Hall's Virginia state record for career passing yards, he also took another honor by accepting an invitation to play in the 2009 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl.

``It's a tremendous honor for me to be invited to play in the O-D All-American Bowl,'' said Morgan, the nation's 25th rated in the O-D Top 100. ``It will be a great reward at the end of my high school career.''

Morgan, who has tallied just over 5,600 yards through the air, needs about 3,100 to surpass Hall, now at Virginia. Because he plays in a fast-paced offense, Morgan believes the record is an achievable one.

``We play a spread offense and it's nice from a quarterback's standpoint,'' said Morgan, a 5-foot-11, 180-pounder with 4.6 speed. ``We usually throw the ball 30 to 40 times a game, and [head coach Billy Mills gives me a lot of leeway. He says is nobody's open, tuck it and run, so I get to make some plays.''

Morgan completed 237 of 382 passes for 26 touchdowns and 2,809 yards last season, which would leave him shy of the mark if he duplicates those numbers in 2008. But Morgan puts winning over stats.

He had 3,400 yards as a sophomore, but Dinwiddie was often losing and playing behind that season. Last year he led the team to a 9-2 season and would gladly salvage the record for the sake of victories.

``We hadn't won four games [in a season] when Adam stepped into the starting job as a freshman,'' said Mills, who moved Morgan to QB from linebacker. ``Now they're talking about him taking us to state.''

Of course, the best scenario would be the record and a state championship. But no matter how it plays out, at least he knows his high school career will come to a close in an all-star game in Myrtle Beach.

The same can be said for six other high school seniors who will play in the Jan. 2 O-D All-American Bowl at Coastal Carolina University's Brooks Stadium, moving from the historic Orange Bowl in 2008.

Notre Dame commitment and Cajon (Calif.) High cornerback Marlon Pollard (No. 46) and Tulane commitment and North Florida Christian linebacker Cody Ledford (No. 28) are other top 100 invitees.

Others playing in the game include Florida State commitment and Titusville (Fla.) High receiver Willie Haulstead, Penn State commitment and Ashe (N.C.) High center Ty Howle, Lithia Springs (Ga.) High defensive tackle Bryan Davis and California wide receiver Blaine Ruiz.