The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Case hasn’t played since 2019, cherishes return
Record-setters QB Saxton, WR Morgan back this fall for Spartans, Debeljak
It could be argued there is not a football team — high school, college or pro — in Northeast Ohio more excited about 2021 than the one at Case Western Reserve.
The Spartans were 9-1 in 2019, earned an NCAA Division III playoff spot, and lost a tough first-round playoff game at Union, 24-21. The future, though, was bright with record-setting quarterback Drew Saxton and his favorite target Colt Morgan returning in 2020.
Then the novel coronavirus pandemic struck, and with it sports were shut down. Some returned. The Spartans’ hope for any type of football season never came to fruition.
Glimmers of hope were there. The team practiced six times in pads in the fall, then at least 30 more last spring — but there was no competition.
There was a scrimmagetype game at Denison that lasted a half, but football as it’s known at Case wasn’t the same.
So when preseason camp began for Coach Greg Debeljak and his squad Aug. 12, there was definitely a sense of giving thanks because on Sept. 4 Case plays a out-of-conference game at the University of Rochester.
“I’m going to be grateful that we’re playing again and not going to take anything for granted,” said Debeljak. “That’s what last year taught us — that nobody really knew that we were going to play. And we ended up not playing. All of that unknown was really tough for everybody, coaches and players.”
Case’s opener will be interesting because Rochester is another team that did not play last fall or in the spring. Asked what to expect from his team Sept. 4, Debeljak indicated the offense will definitely be ahead of the defense. That’s understandable with Saxton and Morgan, and a host of other talent and starters
in place for 2021.
Saxton and Morgan put up gaudy numbers in 2018 and 2019. Saxton has 5,999 career passing yards in two seasons with 60 touchdown passes. He’s expected to also play in 2022, thanks to an NCAA waiver that grants players an extra year of eligibility because of COVID-19.
Morgan (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) also took advantage of that waiver. He has been a match up nightmare for opposing defensive backs. He was a D-III All-American in 2019 after 89 receptions, 1,186 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2018, he caught 79 balls for 1,094 yards and 18 TDs. NFL teams showing interest helped Morgan’s decision to return this fall.
“That’s the part of the the decision that was more simple because I’m working to keep those opportunities open,” said Morgan, a psychology major who has also completed his pre-med requirements. “Playing another season is something I have to do to do that — to even possibly have that chance. So for me, it was a simple decision.”
Joining Morgan and adding to Saxton’s options include receivers Michael
Wojkowski of Riverside and Aidan Cain, a transfer from Duquesne.
Defensively, Debeljak said just two players from the 2019 team who started in the playoff game are back, so there will be a natural adjustment period for the unit.
“It’s an almost all-new group, so it’s exciting to see what the younger kids can do (on defense),” said Debeljak. “The concern is that all of our competition except for Rochester played in the spring. So they had a chance to have their freshmen under the gun. That’s the part we haven’t seen, so you don’t know how they’re gong to react. We have talent, but there’s no substitute for experience.”
At least those young players and the rest of the Spartans’ roster will get the chance this fall — unlike in 2020. For that, Debeljak is excited and thankful.
“I’m excited for so many new people, and molding them together and becoming a team and a family,” said Debeljak. “That’s why I’m so grateful. For about half of the last 18 months, we weren’t even up here (on campus). I’m just glad to be around people. I’ve got an attitude of gratitude.”