FAIRMONT — Leading into high school football practice starting on July 30, The Robesonian’s sports staff is publishing a countdown of the top 15 players in Robeson County, and Fairmont’s Jayvon Morris comes in at No. 9 on the list.
Morris enters the season with a big question regarding where he will play at for the Golden Tornadoes. After being one of the top receiving targets on the team last year for quarterback Derrick Arnette, the graduation of the passer leaves a vacancy under center that Morris is in the running to fill.
Whether its quarterback, wide receiver or wherever the coaching staff wants to put the 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior is fine with him.
“It wouldn’t matter what position coach puts me at, that’s what I’ll play,” Morris said.
Last season, Morris was an all-county and all-conference receiver after hauling in 787 yards on 26 reception with six of those ending in scores. Morris also saw time on the defensive side of the ball, where he posted 31 tackles with one interception.
While there are two underclassmen vying for the starting quarterback position, Morris is planning for whatever course he takes on the offensive side of the ball this season.
“I’m just going out there and competing every day at both positions, trying to play the best I can at both positions,” Morris said. “I’m getting a lot of reps at both positions and coach is starting to believe me at the quarterback position and I’m feeling more comfortable.”
Fairmont coach Kevin Inman has seen Morris bring the intangibles that you want to see at quarterback, leading to Morris be one he trusts in the backfield.
“He’s a smart kid, he understands the concept and he’s very coachable,” Inman said. “He doesn’t get flustered. He’s calm as a cucumber, whether he throws a 60-yard touchdown or has a ball land at the receiver’s feet. You like your quarterbacks to stay calm no matter what.”
Fairmont went 5-6 last season and failed to make the state playoffs for the first time since 2012. With Morris as one of the leaders, he doesn’t want that to happen again.
Fairmont hosts Douglas Byrd to open the season on Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
“First off, as a team we want to make the playoffs. Second off, we want to get better as a team,” Morris said.
