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It’s been a very difficult three weeks for Morgan Academy.

The Senators lost honor student, SGA member and starting quarterback Caden Tellier after he sustained a brain injury in the season opener. The story made national news that Friday night.

The Senators returned to the playing field for the first time since that tragic event on August 23. And even though it didn’t go like the Morgan Academy faithful would have liked, the Senators still put up a good showing.

Morgan Academy was defeated by Monroe Academy 14-7 in the first region game of the season for the Senators. With the loss, Morgan falls to 0-1 in region play and 1-1 on the season. The Volunteers moved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in region action.

Garrett Presley led Monroe with 70 yards rushing on 21 carries, including two four-yard touchdown runs. His second touchdown came with 2:16 to go in the fourth quarter after Morgan fumbled at their own 22-yard line.

Heavy rains late in the game kept the Senators from mounting a final drive.

Senior tailback Jack Johnson led Morgan Academy with 118 yards rushing on 26 carries. Sophomore quarterback Patrick Johnson, playing quarterback in place of Caden Tellier, was seven of 12 passing, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to speedy Purnell on a pop pass. Both teams finished with eleven first downs and exactly 180 yards of total offense, in what was pretty much a dead heat, but the Volunteers pulled out the victory with the fourth quarter score. Morgan Academy travels to Greenville next Friday night for another region game as they take on the Eagles of Fort Dale Academy.

Other statistics for Morgan Academy. Junior Speedy Purnell had four catches for 42 yards, including the 33-yard touchdown catch and run. Baron Frazer had one catch for 18 yards, and Jack Johnson got one pass for seven yards.

Bullet Hand with WalXFM contributed to this story. All of Morgan Academy’s football games are broadcast live on 100.9 Alex FM and live streamed on the Internet.