Morgan, Generals took flight together

By Fred Jeter

Published: November 13, 2008

They arrived at the same time, the fall of 2005 -- a coach with big dreams, a freshman quarterback with a big arm.

Coach Billy Mills had the fancy playbook, and Adam Morgan the athleticism and intellect to parlay those X's and O's into first downs, touchdowns and Dinwiddie High School victories.

"It was great timing," Morgan said.

The past four seasons, Dinwiddie has made more noise than next-door Virginia Motorsports Park.

Dinwiddie is called the Generals, but Pilots might be more appropriate considering Morgan's assault on state aerial records.

"Adam's a great athlete who bought into our system," Mills said. "But with all he's done individually, he's all about team accomplishments. After a game, you're more apt to hear Adam praise his back-up than mentioning his own five TD passes."

Then and now: The Central Region's southern-most outpost fell on hard times a while back, going 4-35 from 2001-04.

"It's no secret Dinwiddie wasn't exactly a football powerhouse," Mills said.

The turnabout didn't come in a blink. With Morgan taking snaps, Dinwiddie was 1-9 in 2005 and 3-7 in '06 before going 9-2 last year.

This year, Morgan & Co. are 9-1 entering tonight's invasion of Douglas Freeman in the Division 5 semifinals.

In 2007, Dinwiddie finished with a thud, losing to Meadowbrook in the regular-season finale, then to Hanover in the playoffs.

"The goal this year is the state title," Morgan said. "Our slogan is, 'Leave no doubt.'"

Pass-happy: Mills credits Tony Franklin (former coordinator at Kentucky, Troy State, Auburn) with his spread design. He coached at Rockbridge High before coming to Dinwiddie.

"We call it the Tony Franklin system . . . or just the system," said Morgan, who has multiple receivers every play.

Statistics galore: With a potential for four more games, Morgan threatens to re-script state passing marks.

His career 8,081 yards is second to Gretna's Vic Hall (8,731). Morgan's 103 TD passes trails Hall by two.

"Really, Todd could have a lot more," Mills said. "He's sat out at least six quarters this year because we were ahead."

College scene: Recruitment has been quiet. Grand Valley (Mich.), a Division II power, has offered a scholarship. Tennessee Tech is showing interest, but no one is pulling the trigger.

No one doubts Morgan's arm. It's his size -- 6-0, 195 -- that is the deterrent.

"It probably has something to do with my height," Morgan said. Correcting himself, he added: "It has everything to do with my height."

Etc.: Morgan's father, Todd, is a former Generals athlete who pitched for Florida State and was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. Older brother Aaron is a former Dinwiddie quarterback now pitching for VCU.

Morgan underwent minor right labrum surgery last December but recovered in time to attend numerous camps and combines.

Academically, he has a 3.85 grade-point average and ranks 14th in a class of 304.

At combines, Morgan has bench pressed 275 pounds, squatted 460, had a vertical leap of 29 inches and ran 40 yards in 4.7 seconds.

Last word: "I don't know where Adams's going," Mills said. "But whoever gets him is getting a winner."