Speedy Morton gives Rocks' offense a sure-handed deep threat

BY ED WRIGHT
Aug. 17, 2010, 4:15 p.m.

  Salem football fans will be seeing a lot of No. 44 this fall.

  The number's owner -- senior Matt Morton -- will hardly ever leave the field for the Rocks, playing wide receiver on offense and free safety on defense in addition to excelling on special teams.

  Morton took a few minutes after Tuesday's practice to chat with PlymouthCantonSports.com's Ed Wright about the upcoming season and his passion for football.

  ED WRIGHT: How long have you been playing football?

  MATT MORTON: Since my freshman year at Salem.

  EW: Why did you decide to give it a shot so late?

  MM: I've always loved playing football, but I never got a chance to play for the Steelers or the Lions so I thought I'd give it a shot in high school.

  EW: What was the toughest thing about the sport you had to adjust to?

  MM: The conditioning. I learned quickly that you have to be in top condition to earn your way onto the field.

  EW: Did the hitting part come easily to you?

  MM: The hitting you get used to, all the contact and everything. The coaches really make sure our form is where it needs to be so that we can be good tacklers.

  EW: What part of the sport were you the most pleasantly surprised by?

  MM: I love the adrenaline rush from playing football. When you're out there with your teammates in front of everybody on Friday nights, it's a big adrenaline rush. It's fun to be able to perform for everybody.

  EW: What do you like about this year's team so far?

  MM: We've got a great group of guys and we're talented across the board. Guys like Marcus (Houston) and Drew (Thompson) put in a lot of hard work. Ethan Walsh is a great linebacker. I think we have what it takes to be a contender in an open division.

  EW: What did you like about the Sauk Valley experience?

  MM: As hard as everybody admitted that it was, the team needed it for conditioning and it kind of brought us together - varsity, junior varsity and freshmen. Something we lacked last year was team chemistry, so staying at the resort helped build that.

  EW: Since you're a receiver, you probably like the wide-open offense.

  MM: Definitely. We throw the ball around a lot when we can't get the running game going.

  EW: Did you catch many balls last season?

  MM: I think I got around 10 balls. Not a great year, but for the amount of playing time I had, it wasn't bad.

  EW: What's your 40-yard-dash time?

  MM: 4.65.

  EW: How are you doing academically?

  MM: I have a 3.85 (grade-point average).

  EW: What schools are you looking at attending?

  MM: Either Michigan State or Northwood for marketing.

  EW: Are you involved in any other sports?

  MM: I run track for Salem in the spring, I play in the community basketball league and I play baseball for my church.