LocalSportsJournal.com
Local Sports Journal is excited to name the nominees for one of the top sports awards at its first-ever Varsity Blues Athletic Awards Show on Saturday in downtown Muskegon’s Frauenthal Theater.
The Earl Morrall Quarterback of the Year Award is set to be the final sports award presentation of the unique evening. Tickets for admission into the theater can be purchased at the Frauenthal Box office or online by clicking here.
Celebrating the excellence of the “prep athlete” is something that is an honor for Local Sports Journal to have the opportunity to do.
High school football brings together and displays the many cultural aspects that we think an educational experience is all about. The marching band shows up, cheerleaders decorate the sidelines, players compete in an intense full-contact sport where friends, families and fans are all present to cheer on and encourage these fine student athletes.
Whitehall’s Kyle Stratton.
The LSJ staff has been reading articles and talking to people “in the know” to come up with the best nominations for this year’s top quarterback ward. And we certainly found three standout performers.
Here are the nominees for the Earl Morrall Quarterback of the Year Award:
Kyle Stratton – Whitehall
M’Khi Guy – Muskegon
James Young, North Muskegon
We chose to name this award after Morrall because he ranks as one of the area’s finest football stars in a rich history of Michigan football. And he just so happens to be a Muskegon High School graduate.
Finishing his high school career with a unanimous selection as an All-State quarterback, Earl won varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball on Big Red teams from 1949 to 1952.
Muskegon’s M’khi Guy.
Earl earned similar honors in college by being selected as an All-American quarterback in his senior year at Michigan State University. He went on to a remarkable 23-year professional career as an NFL quarterback, climaxed by the National Football League’s Player of the Year award in 1968 when he replaced injured Baltimore Colt starter, Johnny Unitas.
In the NFL draft of 1956, Earl was picked in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers. By the time he finally retired in 1976 at the age of 42, Morrall had thrown for 20,809 yards and 161 touchdowns for San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Detroit, New York (Giants), Baltimore and Miami.
The Muskegon native that has a street named after him right next to the iconic Hackley Stadium, played on four Super Bowl teams (III, V, VII, VIII), including winners in Baltimore (1970) and Miami (1972 and 1973).
NM’s James Young.
Besides his NFL MVP season with the 1968 Colts, Morrall came off the bench in the fifth game of the 1972 season for the Miami Dolphins replacing the injured Bob Griese.
“Old Bones” guided the Dolphins to 10-straight victories before Griese returned to action in the AFC Championship Game. Miami completed a spectacular 17-0 undefeated season and Morrall was selected AFC Player of the Year by The Sporting News for his contribution.
Although he was a first-string quarterback for much of his career, many regard Morrall as the NFL’s best-ever backup quarterback – a tribute to his unique ability to deliver under pressure and his dedication to his craft.
