Carolina Forest football hits ground running in new season

So much has been made of the Carolina Forest offense since Marc Morris took over the program.

The once pass-first team almost immediately turned into one preferring to build off a ground game. With the same quarterback behind center, the Panthers went from a team with 269 in carries in 2013 to one with 430 in the next season.

But very few folks could really answer the question of why.

Looking at Friday’s game against Fort Dorchester, a team ranked No. 2 in the state and coming off a dynamic offensive showing that netted 64 points, the best possible example seems to be staring Carolina Forest right in the face.

“This is a perfect game,” Morris said. “One thing I’ve learned taking over programs that weren’t very good, you don’t just walk in and blow people out. This week is perfect. If we can just hang around and get into the fourth quarter, maybe you can get a fumble or get a pick.”

The throw-first, throw-second teams of old weren’t much for getting into that position. Whether the Panthers simply couldn’t keep up with high-scoring teams or stumbled early in games, they were often playing from behind.

And not by just a couple points.

The running game, in just 12 games under Morris, has turned out to be Carolina Forest’s best friend. The Panthers have stretched their room for error on both sides of the ball.

“We’re chewing clock with our new run game,” center and three-year offensive line starter Dean Wooley said. “[The defense is] taking a break, getting a chance to get coached and make adjustments. They didn’t have time for adjustments before.”

Morris rarely makes reference to anything that happened before he was hired in the spring of 2014; that doesn’t mean his players have forgotten.

The current seniors remember getting steamrolled in 10 games as sophomores. They remember giving up at least 35 points in every game. They certainly remember being told over and over again how the defense – one that allowed more than 50 points per game – was the worst in the state.

“We would have that offense vs. defense argument every day,” senior Bryce Garrell said. “We didn’t trust in our defense like we didn’t trust in their offense. It was really bad for the team. You could tell by the record.”

Garrell went on to say that the players’ general work ethic and “schematic” approach to each game was lacking prior to Morris and the semi-rebuilt staff. The weight room routine changed - a customary move for new coaches.

Morris also told his players there would be a switch in offensive philosophy.

Said Wooley: “We all bought in. The ones who didn’t, they didn’t make the team.”

Without something to show for it, though, the preaching may have eventually fallen on deaf ears. A few baby steps did the trick.

In Morris’ first season, Dyverse Simmons exceeded expectations of everyone, especially considering he wasn’t the full-time starter when the year began.

He ran for at least 100 yards in eight of the 10 games he played and finished with 1,242 overall. Will Brunson, who had big numbers as a sophomore and junior, still threw for 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns.

There was a bigger impact, though, besides individual offensive numbers. Much of what Morris, offensive coordinator Shane Dular and the rest of the offensive staff implemented helped defensively.

No longer were opposing teams simply able to drop back into coverage knowing that every bit of film and common sense said a passing play was going to come. Drives were extended. Even though the team was averaging about one more touchdown per game than it did in 2013, it felt like much, much more because of the side effects everywhere else.

Three wins on the field (Carolina Forest was ultimately credited with a fourth via forfeit), though, may have only been the beginning.

Last week against Darlington, the Panthers had one of their more impressive showings in recent memory. The 31-6 win – against a team that defeated Carolina Forest by three touchdowns a year ago no less – had a bit of everything the run game tries to accomplish.

Simmons went for 174 yards, the team ran for 235 as a whole and sophomore quarterback Matt Beale – stepping in for Garrell – had open looks and threw for 142 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 attempts.

The six points given up were the fewest the team had allowed since a 2011. That year, the Panthers played bunch of opponents with awful records from smaller classes. Last week’s win, however, wasn’t empty.

In fact, it was only the next measurable proof.

“We can see the results on the scoreboard,” Garrell said. “We realize this plan is working. That’s what helps players believe in it.”

This story was originally published August 27, 2015 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Carolina Forest football hits ground running in new season."