Forget the sophomore slump.
Morton middle linebacker Cassius Waite is set on avoiding a senior slump.
“I’ve been trying to improve this season from last season,” Waite said. “My coach tells me a lot of juniors have great seasons and then they don’t do as good their senior season. I want to have the mentality, I had a great season last year but I have to keep attacking and keep improving.”
Indications are the 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior is poised to build on his performance as a junior. He had 94 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five fumble recoveries, two interceptions and three touchdowns.
“He’s the team motivator,” Morton coach Sean Kinsey said of Waite. “When he’s up, the kids are up. He does lead by example. He definitely plays with an aggression and seriousness. He’s put in the work, he had a good year in the weight room. We’re excited to see what he can do.”
What Waite already has done has drawn interest from several Division II colleges. His personal goal for this season?
“I want to make all-state,” Waite said.
Waite also has the dates of the state championship games committed to memory. The Governors hope to continue to make strides after they went 8-3 last season following a 4-7 record in Kinsey’s debut.
“We feel good about where we are — we’re in a good place,” Kinsey said. “We won’t have too many two-way guys, if any. We feel good about where we’re headed numbers-wise. Kids have bought into the weight room. We continue to add to our staff and we have a lot of good guys back. It’s nice to have that consistency. We’re pretty excited.”
In addition to Waite, Kinsey expects senior defensive end Taurus Williams to have a big season.
Though the Governors have more holes to fill on defense, their offense has talent and experience.
Junior quarterback Credell Prather, who showed promise as a sophomore, is back after he suffered a broken ankle on the first play in Week 3 against Lowell. Junior Tirae Spence, who also plays wide receiver, took over at quarterback last season after Prather’s injury.
Senior tailback Eric Johnson rushed for 1,153 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, and senior receiver Kashon Prather had 32 catches for 650 yards and 11 TDs. Kinsey believes dynamic sophomore wide receiver/running back JoJo Johnson is ready to have a breakout season.
“We feel our offense has taken another step,” Kinsey said.
Waite started high school at Mount Carmel before returning to Morton after his freshman year. Now he’s one of 17 seniors focused on ending their careers with the Governors on a high note.
“I’m a team captain now, so my role is bigger,” Waite said. “I have to carry myself in a certain way, I have to set an example. But it’s not a one-man job.
“I like the look we have — there’s been a lot of progression from last season, we’re only going to get bigger and better, and we’re all for each other. We know we can get where we want to go, but we need each other to do it.”
