Taft's DJ Morgan named state's top sophomore athlete

Taft of Woodland Hills track star and running back DJ Morgan has been selected the boys' State Sophomore Athlete of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports, beating out another outstanding area 10th-grader, Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's Malcolm Jones.

Morgan, who took second in the state in the 110-meter hurdles in a lifetime-best 14.19 seconds, won City Section titles in the 100-meter dash, 110 and 300 hurdles.

He also won the 110 and 400 hurdles in the intermediate boys' division at the U.S. Track and Field Youth Outdoor Championships in late June in Charlotte, N.C.

During his varsity football debut, Morgan rushed for 1,185 yards, added 235 receiving yards and scored 13 touchdowns, gaining at least 100 yards in eight of 12 games.

Jones rushed for 2,025 yards and scored 29 touchdowns, but didn't qualify for the Southern Section finals in an individual event in track.