The building block of Morgan Academy’s football program begins at the Pee Wee Level.

Tommy Atchison and Lee Calame are the second-year co-head coaches of the 25-member Senators between grades fourth and sixth.

Team members are Thomas Clay Atchison, Lukas Zahradnik, Rhett Thomas, Martin Wilkinson, Patrick Johnson, Crawford Pearce, Raymond Seymore, Wallis Gilmore, Wood Jones, Parker Hewston, Will Colquett, Caden Tellier, Carson Autrey, Rentz Lewis, Charlie Duran, Trevor White, Ryall King, Cooper Wilson, William Ousley, Grant Arrington, John Braxton Hale, Walt Bowline, Cain McLaughlin, Jace Butler and Christopher Britt.

Morgan Academy beat Pike Liberal Arts 12-8 in their season opener on August 27. The Senators have an open date this week.

Atchison, who coaches the offensive and defensive backs, said he enjoys teaching fundamentals to the young squad.

“I love it, the kids are awesome,” Atchison said. “I enjoy watching them develop through the years. It’s extremely gratifying watching them grow up and mature.”

Calmes, who coaches the offensive and defensive linemen, said the goal is to get the players ready for Junior Varsity.

“What we’re focusing on here is the basis fundamentals of football,” Calmes said. “By the time they get to JV, they’ll have basic fundamentals to build off of.”

Atchison and Calmes both said developing the players into solid student-athletes is also very important.

“It all begins as a student,” Calmes said. “If you can’t do your job in the classroom, you can’t do your job on the field.”

“We put a big emphasis in the classroom and grades,” Atchison said. “It’s very important to be part of the system. We try to maintain that mindset.”

Assistant coaches for the Pee Wee team are Jamie Thomas, Garrett White and Kevin Jones.