OFA's Morrow doesn't throw away opportunity

OGDENSBURG — One statistic jumps out when looking at Ogdensburg Free Academy quarterback Jared Morrow's numbers from his junior season.

In leading the Blue Devils to a 9-2 overall record and a spot in the state Class C playoffs, Morrow threw only four interceptions. And two of those came in a 51-6 loss to Hoosick Falls in the state playoffs.

While some quarterbacks try to force things when in trouble, Morrow has learned the value of not trying to do too much. He'd rather throw the ball 10 yards past a receiver or out of bounds than try to make something happen when nothing is there.

"That's something I've kind of always done," Morrow said. "You (feel like) you just let down your team (on an interception). Last year was the best year where I didn't throw a lot of interceptions."

OFA coach Matt Tessmer also appreciates his quarterback's intelligence. Morrow's been starting at the position for three years on varsity after spending his freshman year as a wide receiver.

"It's part of his development," Tessmer said of the low-interception count. "Anything can happen to throw an interception. In that case it was a feature of him being smart. He's doing a really great job for us. He's learned a lot. He works hard at what he does. He had good receivers who were where they belonged that could catch the ball, and he had a good offensive line. It was a product of all those things coming together, and he made good decisions."

Morrow completed 89 of 153 passes for 1,544 yards last year, including 20 touchdowns. He also gained 486 yards rushing on 95 carries, including six touchdowns.

"He's very good," said Tessmer. "He can play any position on the football field. He's a great punter, a great quarterback, a great running back. He's just a football player. He's a great kid. He's coachable. He's very quiet, but he leads by example. You don't have to coach an ego."

Starting off as a receiver helped Morrow when it became his turn to throw the ball.

"You have to know how to run the route," Morrow said. "When you are a receiver you can't stop running, it throws off all the timing. I know how it feels when you are a wide receiver and you stop running."

When OFA is on defense Morrow plays in the secondary. It's another position that has added to his knowledge at quarterback.

"There are different blitz packages they throw on you and all the coverages," Morrow said. "It's tough when you are staring down a receiver, because the safety always reads your eyes."

Morrow, who is 6-feet, 180 pounds, wants to continue as a football player at the college level next season. He's already been receiving interest from NCAA Division III schools, but he still has hopes of making it as a Division I player. He attended camps at Syracuse's Christian Brothers Academy and Ithaca College this summer.

"That's my ultimate goal," said Morrow of earning a scholarship. "I'd be willing to play another position, but I think my best chance is quarterback. I love to throw."