By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
Salisbury head coach Joe Pinyan suggested that an interview on tailback Romar Morris last as long as it takes him to get from one end of the football field to the other.
The time it took to write that paragraph, Morris could’ve probably scored on an 80-yard run.
Twice.
“How fast is he?” Pinyan mused. “He’s a kid who could turn the light off and be in bed before it gets dark. He might be able to read the sports section, too.”
The defending 2A champion in the 100 and 200 meters left Lexington in the dark last week during a 57-6 victory. The Yellow Jackets are still trying to catch up to him.
Morris scored four touchdowns in the game, all in his exciting, speed-burning fashion. He took the second play from scrimmage 66 yards. He added a 50-yard run and a 24-yard scamper. And, just for good measure, he took a John Knox pass 59 yards.
“I think Romar realizes he possesses a talent a whole lot of people wish they had,” Pinyan said. “Some of his runs, you just want to enjoy watching.”
Simply put, he’s the Zoomin’ Human.
“People call me Usain Bolt Jr.,” Morris said with a smile. “I like the recognition people give me.”
Amazingly, the Salisbury wishbone doesn’t cater to just one runner. While Morris is only 104 yards from a 1,000-yard season, he hasn’t had more than 14 carries in a game. In fact, his two lowest totals have produced his highest rushing games. He had just eight totes against Lexington. They were good for 138 yards.
Earlier in the year, seven carries produced 184 yards against East Rowan.
“It’s kinda like (West Rowan’s) K.P. Parks,” Pinyan said. “Who knows what kind of records they could establish if we were guilty of running the score up and we kept giving them touches.
“Our problem is, we have only one football and four good running backs. You try to keep them all happy.”
Pinyan knew his junior star was in an elite class in the third week of the season when Salisbury lost 14-7 to defending 3A champ West. Morris had an 82-yard scoring run that had Pinyan shaking his head while watching the film.
“There was no one else in the picture,” Pinyan said. “That says a lot because West has good speed.”
The 59-yard catch-and-run from Knox on Friday was a beauty, too.
“He made about 20 guys miss,” Pinyan laughed.
Morris is just as entertaining off the field, according to his coach.
“He’s one of the funniest kids,” Pinyan said. “He enjoys coming to school. He enjoys coming to practice. Romar enjoys being alive.”
And the fans enjoy watching him run.
Now, the Thomasville fans get their turn to watch the CCC’s fastest human when the teams meet in Cushwa Stadium on Friday. They’re tied for first at 3-0, and the game is expected to decide the league championship.
“They’ve got a lot of athletes over there, just like we do,” Morris said.
Maybe, but the best athlete on the field will be wearing No. 8 for Salisbury.
“I’ve seen track people turn out not to be good football players,” Pinyan said. “But Romar’s a great football player.”
Morris hopes he’s great Friday, whether he gets only a handful of carries or not.
He doesn’t worry about it.
“As long as we win, I don’t care if I only get one touch,” Morris said.
One touch may be all he needs to go 80 yards. But you better pay attention. Like this story, it’ll be over quick.