A first look at a player profile on Wilson West Lawn RB Rodney Gillin and WR Jake Morgan from PaPreps staff writer Rebeka Rice.
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In most sports, coaches look for their "one-two punch." In baseball, you try to find dependable leadoff and cleanup hitters to put in the lineup. In basketball, you can dominate a conference with a power forward and a solid guard. In high school football, coaches would be pretty happy to have the one-two combo of Rodney Gillin and Jake Morgan.
The West Lawn Wilson offense has been taking huge strides this season thanks to some much needed veteran leadership, of which Gillin and Morgan are a part. After losing many of their starters to graduation, Wilson has been revamping the offense, led by Gillin at running back and Morgan as a wideout.
Gillin has been the feature back for Wilson for the past two seasons. Last year, the 5-foot-11, 181-pound back ran for 1,829 to set a school record and scored 27 touchdowns en route to becoming an all-league selection. This season, he's already gained 527 rushing yards in four games even with the focus opposing defenses have put on him, which has forced Wilson to make some adjustments.
"Obviously Rodney's our go to guy. If not, we can always get him out of the backfield," senior quarterback Seth Klein said. This versatility is what has led to recruiting interest from West Virginia, Pitt, and Temple. Gillin also plans to visit Penn State.
He showed why he's earned that interest against Cedar Crest on Friday night when he caught a two-yard pass at the end of the first half, broke two tackles to cross the field, picked up blockers, and slipped a few more tackles to take the ball for 28 more yards. He is a very patient back, and knows when to wait for a defender to make a move versus power through them. He's also elusive, as his young offensive line sometimes lets defenders through to the backfield. However, Gillin slips through their fingers there, too.
His mixture of speed and agility is what he considers his greatest strength.
"I think I'm an elusive back, but people underestimate my power. I'll try to run around them or through them," Gillin said.
It's an accurate assessment, as he consistently shows both his ability to run hard between the tackles or get outside and make a move.
Most teams have chosen to focus on stopping the Gillin on the run, and pack the box when the play Wilson. Cedar Crest was no exception when they played on Friday night. This is where 6-foot-2, 155-pound receiver Jake Morgan enters.
After catching 26 balls last year, he's easily the favorite target for quarterback Seth Klein, and benefits when Klein needs to throw the ball.
"Everyone is going to pack the box to stop Rodney and if [Klein] throws balls like he did against [Cedar Crest], they can't do it," Wilson coach Doug Dahms said.
Klein agrees that Morgan is the go-to guy in the passing game.
"He's such a big play type of player. You get the ball in his hands and anything can happen. It opens everything up and keeps the defense on their heels," Klein said. "I feel like Jake and I are a good combo. We have great chemistry, and that helps us when Rodney's being stopped."
Morgan is more than okay with that game-plan, as he chalked up 183 receiving yards against Cedar Crest, including touchdown catches of 12 and 53 yards.
"They try to stop Rodney, but we keep running, and then when they focus on the running game we open up the passing game," Morgan said.
His ability to go up and get the ball out of the air and his quickness have both made him a potent offensive threat. However, Morgan doesn't see either of these as his best weapon.
"My hands are my biggest asset. My blocking too, but definitely my hands," Morgan said.
Despite several assets, including his sure hands and height, he said that he's been talking with a lot of schools, but hasn't had any serious interest yet. Regardless, his success this season has been noticeable, and his presence in the passing game has become the perfect complement to Gillin's running to keep Wilson at the top of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
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In most sports, coaches look for their "one-two punch." In baseball, you try to find dependable leadoff and cleanup hitters to put in the lineup. In basketball, you can dominate a conference with a power forward and a solid guard. In high school football, coaches would be pretty happy to have the one-two combo of Rodney Gillin and Jake Morgan.
The West Lawn Wilson offense has been taking huge strides this season thanks to some much needed veteran leadership, of which Gillin and Morgan are a part. After losing many of their starters to graduation, Wilson has been revamping the offense, led by Gillin at running back and Morgan as a wideout.
Gillin has been the feature back for Wilson for the past two seasons. Last year, the 5-foot-11, 181-pound back ran for 1,829 to set a school record and scored 27 touchdowns en route to becoming an all-league selection. This season, he's already gained 527 rushing yards in four games even with the focus opposing defenses have put on him, which has forced Wilson to make some adjustments.
"Obviously Rodney's our go to guy. If not, we can always get him out of the backfield," senior quarterback Seth Klein said. This versatility is what has led to recruiting interest from West Virginia, Pitt, and Temple. Gillin also plans to visit Penn State.
He showed why he's earned that interest against Cedar Crest on Friday night when he caught a two-yard pass at the end of the first half, broke two tackles to cross the field, picked up blockers, and slipped a few more tackles to take the ball for 28 more yards. He is a very patient back, and knows when to wait for a defender to make a move versus power through them. He's also elusive, as his young offensive line sometimes lets defenders through to the backfield. However, Gillin slips through their fingers there, too.
His mixture of speed and agility is what he considers his greatest strength.
"I think I'm an elusive back, but people underestimate my power. I'll try to run around them or through them," Gillin said.
It's an accurate assessment, as he consistently shows both his ability to run hard between the tackles or get outside and make a move.
Most teams have chosen to focus on stopping the Gillin on the run, and pack the box when the play Wilson. Cedar Crest was no exception when they played on Friday night. This is where 6-foot-2, 155-pound receiver Jake Morgan enters.
After catching 26 balls last year, he's easily the favorite target for quarterback Seth Klein, and benefits when Klein needs to throw the ball.
"Everyone is going to pack the box to stop Rodney and if [Klein] throws balls like he did against [Cedar Crest], they can't do it," Wilson coach Doug Dahms said.
Klein agrees that Morgan is the go-to guy in the passing game.
"He's such a big play type of player. You get the ball in his hands and anything can happen. It opens everything up and keeps the defense on their heels," Klein said. "I feel like Jake and I are a good combo. We have great chemistry, and that helps us when Rodney's being stopped."
Morgan is more than okay with that game-plan, as he chalked up 183 receiving yards against Cedar Crest, including touchdown catches of 12 and 53 yards.
"They try to stop Rodney, but we keep running, and then when they focus on the running game we open up the passing game," Morgan said.
His ability to go up and get the ball out of the air and his quickness have both made him a potent offensive threat. However, Morgan doesn't see either of these as his best weapon.
"My hands are my biggest asset. My blocking too, but definitely my hands," Morgan said.
Despite several assets, including his sure hands and height, he said that he's been talking with a lot of schools, but hasn't had any serious interest yet. Regardless, his success this season has been noticeable, and his presence in the passing game has become the perfect complement to Gillin's running to keep Wilson at the top of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
