Highland Park QB Chandler Morris is a candidate for SportsDayHS Offensive Player of the Year Award but his WRs deserve credit, too

Finn Corwin ran a quick two-yard out, turned and caught a pass from Highland Park quarterback Chandler Morris with one College Station defender between him and the end zone. Corwin, pausing for half a second, sized up the defender and jabbed right. The defender bit. Corwin, playing off the first step, then spun left. The defender, fully extended with both arms, barely got a finger of Corwin's white jersey as the Scots receiver scored the game's first touchdown. This season, the story about Highland Park has centered on Morris, a first-year starter for the Scots. The junior has been excellent after taking over for John Stephen Jones, who is now at Arkansas with Morris' dad, Chad, after leading the Scots to back-to-back 5A-I state titles. In 12 undefeated games, Morris has completed 185-of-293 attempts for 2960 yards and 34 touchdowns, in contrast to just four interceptions. He's also second on the team in rushing with 449 yards and 13 touchdowns. The three-star quarterback, one five players in the running for the SportsDayHS Offensive Player of the Year Award, has received six offers along the way, including Auburn, Clemson, Oklahoma and his father's team, the Razorbacks. It's seemingly been a nearly flawless transition for Morris from backup to starter. That couldn't have happened, though, if it wasn't for a talented receiving corps. The group was on display in last week's comeback 28-20 win over College Station. Morris bounced back after a slow start to throw for 396 yards and three touchdowns, finding seven different receivers along the way. Corwin, the 5-foot-10 receiver head coach Randy Allen said is known as "Gamer," led the way. Corwin caught nine catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. He did it in a myriad of ways, too, catching short passes, deep balls and even an under-thrown ball where he made a spectacular adjustment to make the reception. That wasn't the only spectacular move from the win. Morris said coach Allen and he had seen the opportunity for the route all game. At the right time, could lead to a big play. Junior Drew Scott, a 6-foot-2 receiver who will play lacrosse at Ohio State, made sure it was a wide open play. Scott ran inside before planting and crossing the corner's body. The move sent the corner face first into the ground. Scott, meanwhile, ran wide open down the left sideline. Morris hit him in stride for a 72-yard touchdown.

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Highland Park High School Athletics

HIGHLAND PARK QB CHANDLER MORRIS IS A CANDIDATE FOR SPORTSDAYHS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD BUT HIS WRS DESERVE CREDIT, TOO

JOSEPH HOYT

Dallas Morning News | 11/29/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Melissa Macatee