Image via Kollin Washington

By: Kobe Scales, Sports Editor 

In the weekly review with Morehouse football coach Gerard Wilcher about the 0-4 Maroon Tigers, Coach Wilcher spoke about last week’s loss, the state of the team, and the things that he’s looking forward to. 

Loss to Edward Waters

“You can’t help the other team out. Everybody is pretty equal; so if you start tilting the scales the other way, you’re going to find yourself in trouble. I think that’s what happened– we have to find a way to start faster.”

This past weekend the Maroon Tigers suffered a defeat at the hands of Edward Waters college, 44-13. Coach Wilcher alluded to many more mistakes from the game, specifically a personal foul penalty, where a Morehouse player threw a punch and a false start penalty on fourth down. The false start on fourth down would prove a major setback for the Maroon Tigers, while kicker Danny Elrod made the first kick, he would go on to miss the second after moving backwards five yards. 

The undisciplined play to go along with the extreme athleticism of Edward Waters would eventually lead to the blowout loss in the Maroon Tigers’ fourth game of a six game road stretch. 

Injuries

“Won’t be back,” were the words of a seemingly dejected Coach Wilcher when asked about the status of backup Quarterback, Jaylon West. 

The transfer from Army will not see the field in the rest of his senior year after taking a massive hit on a kickoff return in the loss to Albany State on Oct.l 16. 

West was returning kicks for the Maroon Tigers in an effort by Coach Wilcher to get his playmakers on the field. West had previously exhibited an athleticism that proved he could possibly provide a spark for the Maroon Tigers. 

The team’s leading rusher Zion Bouie was also out in the loss to Edward Waters with a shoulder injury and is expected to be out for the next two to three weeks.

“Nothing major,” Coach Wilcher said.

Looking Forward 

On Sept. 30 the Morehouse Maroon Tigers will face the 2022 SIAC Champions, Benedict College and their veteran Head Coach Chennis Berry. 

“Reigning Champs, I’m really excited to get there and play because I strive to be Benedict, I strive to be Tuskegee– I want to see how he [Chennis Berry Benedict, Head Coach] put it all together, what his team looks like. They’re doing everything we’re not right now, but that we’re trying to get to,” Coach Wilcher said. 

Part of striving to one day get to the level of Benedict College and Tuskegee, is the amount of scholarships they each have. 36 per team, both have started the season 4-0. Tuskegee is standing first in rankings with Benedict right behind them due to Tuskegee being 3-0 in conference play while Benedict is 2-0. 

The Maroon Tigers will have their hands full this weekend, facing Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. Also, next weekend when the team will face Tuskegee, in the 87th edition of the Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic. 

The game against Tuskegee will also mark the end of the six game road stretch for the Maroon Tigers, as well as the last of the three classics scheduled this season.