Brad Gray knew the importance of a player like Quintavis Morris for the Eupora Eagles.
The 6’4, 222-pound lineman could play both ways for the Eagles and was a force up front he last two seasons and earned Class 2A, Region 2 honors this past season. Gray saw a player that had so much more room to grow, however.
Another year on the field is what Gray selfishly wanted from his big defensive end but he got the next best thing on Thursday as Morris celebrated with family, teammates and coaches his college signing. He chose Itawamba Community College and got to see a dream become reality.
“He’s a great kid. One of our strengths coming back this year was our defensive line and he was obviously one of those strengths. We were glad to have him and we’re going to miss him. I wish we had him back next year,” Gray said. “We’re happy that he gets a chance to play on the next level. It’s going to be hard to replace him for sure.”
Morris had options coming in from several junior colleges around the state of Mississippi. Copiah Lincoln, Holmes, Delta, Northwest and Northeast all put their name in the ring, but the Indians stood out the most.
Head coach Sean Cannon was busy in Webster county this year as he also snagged East Webster All-State linebacker Kobe Smith on signing day. The coaches and the atmosphere in Fulton really stood out to Morris when he was making his decision and that was where he wanted to be.
“I liked how comfortable that the coaches made me feel and it was more at home than any other school. My primary position will be defensive end and they want to put a little more weight on me and let me work.”
It’s been a career of development for Morris with the Eagles and he’s had steady growth. As a sophomore, he played sparingly with 13 tackles in six games. He followed that up last season making a major impact with 59 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks.
There was almost the same amount of production as a senior this year as Morris finished with 59 tackles and 10.0 tackles for a second-straight season but added another sack finishing with 7.0. That had him pegged by division coaches as one of the best linemen in Region 2 as he made the All-Conference team.
But there’s a whole lot more meat on Morris’ bone. Eupora coaches see it and Cannon and his staff saw it as well.
“It’s up to him. When the coaches came through here, one thing that we told them was that the sky is the limit,” Gray said. “You get him on campus and three meals a day with lifting, we’re expecting him to have a big upside. I think that’s what the junior college coaches were seeing too. He’s been serious about the weight room the last couple of years but that’s going to get even better.”
A lot of hard work was put in over Morris’ career in maroon and white and he enjoyed every bit of being in Webster county and playing for the Eagles.
It left a large smile on his face as he signed his papers and reflected on the time he spent with coach Stephen Edwards, Gray and all of the other coaches and teammates that put in that work with him. Now, it’s on to bigger and better things.
“I’m very excited. I’ve worked with my guys all year and it took scrapes and scratches and it finally paid off for me,” Morris said. “I’m excited to see what I can do. It’s been a very fun experience at Eupora.”
