Dupree, Morgan reunite in JUCO

Two former Philadelphia High School football teammates are headed to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College with similar goals as they try to advance their football careers.

Ja’Naylon Dupree, a wide receiver who had a banner season after transferring to Neshoba Central for his senior year, chose to sign with Gulf Coast and play for the Bulldogs.

Asher Morgan, who played quarterback for the Philadelphia Tornadoes for a two seasons, graduating in 2020. He signed with Samford University out of high school. He was red shirted during the 2021 season. After spring training this year, Morgan decided to transfer to Gulf Coast,

Now, he and Dupree are together again. They played together when Morgan was a senior when together at Philadelphia when Dupree was a sophomore. They played on the team that made it to the South State class 2A championship game before dropping a tough loss to Taylorsville.

“Asher was my quarterback my sophomore year,” Dupree said. “We have been working out together. In fact, we worked out yesterday. I am excited to be going to Gulf Coast. I have been down there a couple of times. But we are leaving to start summer school and working out in July. I am looking forward to getting the season started.”

The Bulldogs open the season September 1 at Northwest Community College.

Dupree and Morgan have the same goal for this season.

“We want to have a good season and win a national championship,” Morgan said.

“That’s our goal,” Dupree added. “I want to play well and earn an opportunity to move up to a Division I school. And if everything works out, maybe I can get a shot at playing in the NFL.”

After signing with Gulf Coast, Dupree said he was looking forward to getting away from home. Dupree is planning to major in business administration.

“If I don’t make it to the NFL, I want to own my own business,” Dupree said. “A business degree will help me with that. Hopefully, I will have a career after college and go to the NFL”

Dupree transferred to Neshoba Central his senior year and was a part of the Rocket team that went undefeated in the regular season and made it to the North State championship game. During his senior year, he finished with 1282 total yards, He caught 71 passes for 1,058 yards. He rushed the ball for 51 yards and had 178 in kickoff returns. He scored 17 touchdowns.

Morgan is looking for some quality playing time at Gulf Coast with the hope of drawing the attention of the Division I college scouts.

“I want to get a chance to play and then look at my options,” Morgan said.  “I didn’t get a chance to play last year and didn’t have any film. We had a six-year senior who took all the snaps. He recently tried out for the Jets, If somebody didn’t know me previously (there is nothing to show).

“My plan is, if this works out, I will get the starting job at Gulf Coast, and get some good reps, win a national championship, and go play somewhere else and move up on the ladder.”

Morgan is also majoring in accounting and finance. Academically, he is almost a junior which makes it unlikely he will spend more than one semester at Gulf Coast. He still has four years of football eligibility remaining.

 “After I finished my classes this year, I went down to Gulf Coast and talked with the coaches. Morgan said. “I liked the campus. It was really very nice. The staff was nice and kind.

“It is going to be fun playing with Ja’Naylon again. We played together my senior year, his sophomore year. He’s a very good player, shifty, and runs good routes. I have already thrown with him several times since I have been home this summer. He looks good. I think he is going to do well this season and seasons to come.”