Carolina Forest likely to run more than gun in Morris’ second season

For those who thought Carolina Forest was running the football a lot more last year, you probably haven’t seen anything yet.

The Panthers will adopt second-year coach Marc Morris’ philosophy even more this season, the team’s first in three years without all-region and now college quarterback Will Brunson.

“There’s no doubt about it – he did great things for Carolina Forest,” Morris said. “It doesn’t matter how good your quarterback is. Most of the time, it all comes down to how well you run the ball and stop the run. I believe high school football is built around that.”

Shades of Morris’ approach were evident last year. Brunson still threw for more than 1,800 yards; granted, that was his lowest total in his standout career. Instead, it was Dyverse Simmons (1,242 yards), Jeff Sherman (482) and even Brunson (314) doing the most noticeable damage for the Panthers on the ground.

Sherman and Brunson are gone, and with an offense relying on a first-year quarterback – with or without expected eventual starter Bryce Garrell – the rushing attack may have to be the crux of the unit at the beginning of the year.

That’s not to say it may not even up some as the season progresses.

“I feel like we’re going to do the same thing we did last year,” Simmons said. “[Morris] believes in his receivers and he believes in his quarterback.”

At least to start the year, sophomore Matt Beale is expected to be taking the snaps behind center. There’s no question he’ll have some experienced targets even with the departure of leading receiver James Long.

Victory Woods had 42 receptions for 479 yards and five touchdowns last year, and Jason Craft had another 18 catches for 317 yards and two scores.

Points, though, shouldn’t be an issue. The Panthers scored at least 41 points in four games last season and actually improved their production despite most of the offense being new.

The problem, though, was defense. Carolina Forest gave up 41 points six times (one was negated due to Myrtle Beach’s forfeit).

Some of that could be attributed to youth caused by player changeover. Some could be traced back to a new staff and system.

“I feel like it’s the best defense I’ll see all year,” Simmons said. “Last year, we were based upon a bunch of sophomores. This year, we know what we’re doing.”

Historically, the Panthers have plenty to prove.

In 16 years of varsity ball, Carolina Forest has only five winning seasons. Since moving to to Class AAAA in 2008, it’s done so just twice.

The prospects for the postseason in that time have been even more slim. Only once have the Panthers entered the final week of the regular season with a chance at the Class AAAA playoffs.

Getting to a point where that changes, Morris said, requires moving past numbers.

“It’s more than just about wins,” Morris said. “We think we’re going to compete. Win total has a lot more to do with who you’re playing against. But we feel like our kids are more prepared for the season than they’ve been.”

This story was originally published August 16, 2015 at 5:50 PM with the headline "Carolina Forest likely to run more than gun in Morris’ second season."