In the past 42 meetings between the East and West Montgomery football teams, there have been many classic match-ups like last year's triple overtime thriller won by the Warriors 21-14. Then there have been the blowouts like East's 34-7 victory in 1964 or West's 57-0 win in 1970. But in almost every contest, there have many individual match-ups featuring the names of Horne, Little, Cagle, Blake, Baldwin, Thompson and Pemberton.
This year's game will be no exception with both teams having an individual who has the potential and talent to carry their game to the next level. While both teams depend on teamwork among the rest of the team, these two players' talents afford them the opportunity to shine. Plus both players are track stars and are the fastest runners on their respective teams, making them the fastest two players in the county.
On the Warriors' side there is senior running back Ronald Morgan, who has spent the past two seasons making a name for himself in the Warriors'secondary. However, this year he is going both ways, carrying the bulk of the West rushing game.
For the Eagles there is senior running back Vincent Dunn, who is fast closing in on 2,000 yards rushing for his career. Dunn is also counted on in certain situations, because of his overall talent, to contribute in the Eagles¹ defensive secondary, making both players a valuable part of their respective teams.
"Vincent's talent is way up here and everyone is down here," said East coach Ted Harman, holding one hand about a foot above the other. "Vincent has good running ability and has great speed to get outside. We expect a lot from Vincent because of his talent."
While Dunn has made his reputation on offense, Morgan has made his in the defensive secondary where he has started since he was a sophomore. Morgan has run down more than a dozen opposing players from behind, making touchdown-saving tackles. Morgan's speed and running ability have also been an important factor for West on kickoff and punt returns, where Morgan had three returns last year for touchdowns.
"Ronald is an important member of our team," said West coach Mark Perry. "He's one of the team's leaders and calls the signals in the secondary. He's a hard worker and he pays attention when the coaches are talking to him. We've had to expand his role this year to be a running back on offense. He's become very important to the team with quickness and speed."
Harman, who has coached against Morgan for two seasons, said, "Morgan is a steady player who doesn't make mistakes. We have to respect his play in their secondary."
The move to offense paid off for the Warriors this past Friday night as Morgan rushed for 120 yards in the Warriors' opening game of the season against Albemarle.
While Morgan was going both ways in the Warriors' loss to the Bulldogs, Dunn was having a field night against North Stokes. Dunn finished the game with 194 yards rushing and four touchdowns. One of the touchdowns came on a 66-yard return of a free kick. Dunn needs just 104 yards to have 2,000 career rushing yards for the Eagles.
Both players are aware of their cross-county rival and both consider the other player "cool." "We've been playing against each other since the seventh grade and
we are cool with each other," said Morgan, who has been clocked running 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. "I have a lot of respect for Vince's talent. He has great speed and jumping ability and is just a great athlete. He's a player you have to keep an eye out for or he'll be gone for a touchdown. But, you can't just focus on Vince, or the East coaching staff will slip a trick play in and someone else will score. You have to aware of where he's at all the time."
Dunn, who also has a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, said, "Morgan is good player and I look forward to playing against him and West. We've been aware of each other for a long time and we have a friendly competition going. But I can't concentrate just on him, there are some good players on that team."
While both players run track for their schools, they have never raced against each other. Morgan did say that he ran Dunn down last year, preventing a touchdown. "Yeah, I caught him, but I had the angle," said Morgan. "I can think of only once of a player I haven't been able to run down and that was (Albert) Ashcraft of Monroe. Of course, he's the state champion in the 200-meter dash." Dunn said, "I don't remember that play, but I like to think I'm the fastest man in the county."
Despite having a pulled hamstring muscle last year, which prevented him from competing in the sprint events in track, Dunn did come in second place in long jump in the state 1A track meet.
Morgan, who has played on the Warriors' basketball team, suffered the same fate that Dunn had with a pulled hamstring, but he was unable to compete in the conference or regional track meets last spring. Morgan has been clocked with a 10.7 in the 100-meter dash and also runs the 400-meter dash for the Warriors, along with the 4 X 100-meter and 4 X 200-meter relay teams.
While both players play on the football team and run track, both are hoping to take their game to the next level with Dunn and Morgan getting letters from different colleges from around the state and the country.
"That¹s a goal of mine to play college ball," said Dunn, who is 6'2 and 165 pounds.
Morgan, who is 5'11 and 160 pounds, said, "It¹s something I've been working for since I started playing ball. I know it¹s important to get an education and a scholarship could help pay for it."
Being seniors, both players are looking forward to the county showdown this Friday night at East stadium. They have both played in the contest the past two years with each of their respective teams winning once. East won Dunn's sophomore season at East by a 16-6 score while Morgan and West won last year in triple overtime 21-14.
"It means a lot to me to win this game being a senior and all," said Dunn. "It will be special to win and get bragging rights and everything. It's the county championship and you want to do your best." Morgan said, "Yeah, the game means a little more than some of the others because it's the county thing. And this is my senior year and I want to win it for the other seniors as well. You get to go out a winner. I don't want to get too hyped and maybe forget what I'm suppose to do. Maybe it would be good or add some excitement to the game if Vince and I got into a one-on-one situation. Who knows what would, after all it is East and West."
It just might determine who the fastest man in the county is? The 43rd renewal of the "Little River Feud" is scheduled to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. at East.