Blues' experience should pay off in 2017

ASHEVILLE --This season, therewill be one less Morrison for Asheville School's football team since Rashad Morrison graduated.

In 2016, Morrison compiled 1,089 all-purpose yards, including 648 yards receiving and 241 rushing yards. Morrison also played on the defensive side with 44 total tackles and two sacks.

However, younger brother Titus, a junior, will be returning.

"We're looking for a lot from his younger brother Titus, Titus Morrison," said Blues coach Gus Schill.

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The younger Morrison caught 22 passes for 333 yards and had a touchdown in 2016.

He isn't the only returning player to what should be a potent offense; the Blues have nine starters back in 2017.

Senior Ahmad Galimore had all of the team's 15 passing touchdowns while completing 109 of 212 attempts for 1,355 yards.

The Blues finished 6-5 last year, and Schill and trusts his senior quarterback.

"He matured throughout the season and carried us to theplayoffs," Schill said. "We did have awinning season last year, which is pretty encouraging," hesaid."He really picked up.He's athletic, makes sounds judgment. I trusthim on the field and like his leadership."

Other seniors on the team this year are Paul Hill at defensive end and J.P. Schill. Last year, Hill had 59 solo tackles and 10 sacks.

While there will be plenty of help from the upperclassmen, Schill feels good about the freshmen and sophomores, too.

"We expect to be a wide-open, spread offense this year and a high-intensity defense with multiple looks," he said. "What we're most optimistic about this year is the maturity we see in our younger kids. Our numbers are up compared with past years."

This year, there will be a competition at kicker as both Logan Woody and Hank Boyd graduated. The pair accounted for a combined 44 points.

After opening with Huntersville Christ the King on Aug. 26, the Blues have games against Oakbrook Prep in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Sept. 1 and Sept. 8 against Cherokee, which finished 9-5 last year. The Braves won two games in the playoffs before ending with a loss to WNC rival Mitchell.

The next game against Statesville Christian is Sept. 22, and the Lions defeated the Blues 61-21last year.

While he recognizes the tougher schedule, Schill hopes his team meets that challenge.

 ASHEVILLE SCHOOL BLUES

Affiliation: NCISAA Division II

Coach: Gus Schill (6-5)

Offense: Spread

Defense: 3-front with multiple coverage

2016 record: 6-5

Starters returning: 9 offense, 7 defense