Today's interviewee is Marietta coach Richard Morgan, whose team is playing in its first state championship game since winning a Class AAA title in 1967. Marietta defeated Parkview 42-31 last week and will face Lowndes on Saturday at 8 p.m. in this week's final game at Georgia State Stadium.
Richard Morgan, Marietta head coach
1. You coached in several state championship games in Virginia, winning two. Is this one like the others, or is there something different? And will those experiences in Virginia help you? "I think every team and every season is different and unique, and the preparation for the state championship is the same as it's been in my career, but any time you're doing something for the first time in 52 years, the first in the lifetime of our players and many fans, that does make it special. But as far as preparation, it's been the same as the other four. There's no substitute for experience. I told the team before the semifinals, 'Here's what we need to do to win this game,' and when the kids know you've been there, it gives a certain confidence that the kids feed off." [Morgan's teams at Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake, Va., won state titles in 2007 and 2011.]
2. What's the scouting report on Lowndes? What do they do that makes them so outstanding, in particular their quarterback, Jacurri Brown, a 1,000-yard rusher? "They're 14-0, and they're a really great football team. You're always going to play a great football team in the finals. They have strength and size and speed, and their linemen are good on both sides. They have a difference-maker at the quarterback position. We've seen a variety of guys at quarterback this season, but he's got the size and speed that separates him. There's no doubt that he's a college prospect at quarterback, but he's a receiver/running back/athlete type, so you have to account for him on every play. His legs separate him. He's that extra guy that you have to defend in the box. Now you've got to get another guy down in the box to defend his running, which can open up some passing things." [Marietta has won seven consecutive games, four against top-10 opponents, after a 5-2 start and losses to Grayson and McEachern. Marietta can become the second team since Lowndes in 1999, and first since Peachtree Ridge in 2006, to win a state title after losing a game in October.]
3. How is your team playing now compared to earlier in the season, when you lost a couple? "That's one of the balancing acts as a coach. You've got to figure out how to make them peak. That's the secret. It's not something you can explain. You just have to have a feel for your team. We've just improved every week. We've played our best football the past four weeks that we've ever had. Now we've got to play our best one more time."
4. What has been the response of the community to Marietta's historic run in the playoffs? "To be honest, I don't think my phone has stopped ringing in days. Everybody is excited. We're having a community event tonight. They're coming at the end of our practice to wish the team well and take pictures. The show of support and the community has been outstanding. We probably had 1,000 fans on the field after the game at Parkview. It was just a lot of emotion and some tears and laughter over the last five decades for this to happen again. That goes for Marietta residents, the staff, the kids, families. A lot of work went into this, and finally we see the team achieve it. It's a great feeling."
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