Morrow playing it 'California Cool' in Pikeville

By Allen Eztler
Published in Sports on August 12, 2014 1:48 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Nate Brooks takes the snap and drops back to throw.

"Look, dad, I'm TJ," Nate says.

Steve Brooks, the head varsity football coach at Charles B. Aycock, laughs at his seven-year-old son's antics. Nate is referring to TJ Morrow, the Golden Falcons' starting quarterback.

"He wants to be just like him," coach Brooks said. "I tell him I hope he does grow up to be like him because if so, we're not going to have to pay for his education."

A returning all-area first-team selection, Morrow is the talk of Pikeville coming into this season. He posted 2,047 total yards of offense and 21 touchdowns, and was the lone non-senior to score a TD for Aycock in 2013.

The outside expectations have grown for Morrow.

He doesn't just have a 7-year-old coach's son pretending to be him, he's got coaches and fans labeling him as the only outstanding player the Golden Falcons have -- also the only player who could get CBA deep into the playoffs.

But Morrow doesn't bask in his greatness.

Nor does he feel the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He plays it "California Cool" -- a nickname coach Brooks gave him because he goes with the flow.

"I don't worry about outside stuff," Morrow said, who moved to Goldsboro from California during his sophomore year. "I focus on my team. I don't think there's too much pressure just because I don't really focus on it,"

He does blush a bit when he hears about Nate wanting to be like him.

"It's pretty cool," he said laughing. "It feels great just to know that people are looking up to you. It brings me joy."

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Questions about Morrow's true ability have loomed all summer. Some coaches have questioned the competitiveness of the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference and Aycock's non-conference schedule.

Coach Brooks scoffs at the comments.

"If you want to question how competitive he is, I'll give you the New Bern DVD and you can watch that," Brooks said.

A 70-7 loss to the Bears hardly seems competitive. But Morrow consistently took the snap from the shotgun formation and bullied his way between the tackles, which displayed his will to win, his attempt to keep Aycock in the game and his leadership ability.

Morrow never asked to come out of the game.

"Find me a team that gets beat 70-7 and has 11 players that don't quit," Brooks said. "None of our guys quit, but that one right there for sure didn't."

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A track star, too, Morrow has lured college recruiters with his speed. He's drawn attention from both East Carolina and N.C. State, who each hope that he would transition to the receiver position.

Morrow grew up as a receiver, but understands different positions.

"I want to be put wherever I can help to the team," Morrow said. "Whatever works best for us. Being moved, I feel comfortable at any skill position."

Brooks expects Morrow to play college football.

"If he doesn't, I might retire," Brooks said.

Morrow has impressed coaches with his ability and his work in the classroom. He's a 4.0 student with intentions of majoring in business and marketing.

His strict military upbringing has taught him how to be humble and disciplined not only in school, but on the football field.

"It teaches me discipline. It goes inside the house. If you're in a military family everything is rule-by-rule," Morrow said. "Football is a game of discipline. That's the number one thing coming from a military family. And I can't be a boaster. I have to stay humble. I help when I can, but I don't boast my stats or anything."

And for Nate, that's more important.

"It's great that Nate can get to watch him run around and play quarterback," coach Brooks said. "But Nate knowing he's a great student, a great leader and a great son is more important."

Morrow's next step is to improve upon his passing accuracy after completing 44 percent of his attempts in 2013. His top two targets -- Michael Eutsey and Neil Clark -- graduated, and he'll have at least three sophomores blocking for him this fall.

That's not to mention new receivers, too.

"We're young, but we've got some weapons," Morrow said. "These guys have put the work in to be good. I think we'll be just fine."