HS FOOT: Taft's D.J. Morgan making fast work

An age-group world track champion and state titleist in the 110 hurdles, D.J. Morgan might be California's fastest high school football player. He has never been caught from behind, but there's more than blinding speed that makes the running back from Taft High of Woodland Hills so special.

Like many great running backs, Morgan has that rare knack to break tackles, fake out defenders and somehow never give up on a play that looks like it's going nowhere, because those are the times Morgan is most dangerous -- a game-breaking playmaker who can create and is extraordinarily difficult to tackle in the open field.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior committed to USC more than a year ago, and he is participating in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in Texas in January -- the nation's most prestigious high school sports event.

"I think I've scored at least 20 touchdowns every year since I was seven or eight years old," Morgan said. "Every time I touch the ball, I want to score."

He is on a tear once again this season. Morgan has averaged 9.6 yards per carry while rushing for 616 yards with seven receptions and nine touchdowns for the Toreadors (2-2) against an upgraded nonleague schedule that gets even tougher Friday night at 7 at high-powered Serra of Gardena (4-0), ranked No. 14 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports.

Two weeks ago, Morgan put on a show at state power Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. He rushed for 235 yards and scored three long touchdowns, weaving from sideline to sideline and faking out several defenders on every score in a 45-27 loss.

"That might have been my favorite game because Notre Dame is great team," Morgan said.

His offensive linemen love blocking for him, and why not? If you hold your block for just a split second, it might be enough for Morgan to break another touchdown.

"You know when you're watching a highlight tape on ESPN? That's him," lineman Brandon Mitchell said. "He's a human highlight right there. It's just fun to block for him and watch him shoot through a gap."

Teammate Antuan Woods appreciates Morgan's ability to make something out of a broken play, as Morgan has been hit behind the line of scrimmage on many of his longest runs while still managing to score a touchdown.

"He can mess up, and he still breaks it," Woods said. "It's really hard to grab D.J., and that's the problem because you have to wrap him up."

Elusiveness is a skill Morgan first began perfecting in his front yard as an elementary student when he would go head to head with his older brother, Josh, who would become a top running back at Crespi of Encino.

"Josh would go hard on me and try to slam me, but sometimes I'd be like an inch off the ground and somehow get away," Morgan said.

Perhaps the best is yet to come because last year Morgan rose to the ocassion late in the season. He scored the go-ahead touchdown on 65-yard reception in the final minute to beat longtime West Valley League rival Birmingham in the finale. And in the City quarterfinals against San Fernando, he scored four touchdowns, including an amazing 50-yard run in which he was all but dead before somehow finding a late opening -- in a muddy 40-17 victory.

Taft lost to San Pedro in the semifinals to finish 11-2, and Morgan totaled 1,841 yards rushing, 32 receptions for 583 yards, and 33 touchdowns.

Morgan takes losses hard.

"I wouldn't yell at the team, but every time I lose it just wants me to get that much better," Morgan said.

There is a chance Taft could get tagged with its third defeat tonight -- Serra beat Taft by 36 points last year and has welcomed several top transfers this season -- but the Toreadors still would be considered a championship contender in the City Section.`

Whatever happens in the playoffs, Morgan will get a chance to prove himself against the nation's best in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January.

"I'm excited. It's like a dream come true because everyone wants to play in this game," Morgan said.

Morgan will be joined in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl by two Oaks Christian participants who will be announced Friday.

"I think it's awesome. This is a great opportunity for D.J. to see how he stacks up," Taft coach Matt Kerstetter said. "I don't know who is going to coach the West, but whoever he is, I hope he finds some creative ways to get D.J. the ball. I know that's what I like to do."