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By ANDRE ALFRED

Sports Correspondent

WINDSOR- Bertie High School senior Joseph (JJ) Morris has signed a full ride for a football and academics scholarship at Barton College.

Morris shared a tidbit on how his football journey began, saying he was born in Elizabeth City and attended elementary school there.

“I started playing football when I was about six years old,” Morris said.

He moved with his family to Greenville where he attended Oakwood School.

“They didn’t have football there,” shared Morris. “It wasn’t until after my eight grade year that I transferred to Bertie and played football in my freshman year.”

Morris played his freshman year at Bertie under Coach Grantley Mizelle and his remaining three years under Collin Sneed.

Morris shared his experience with both.

Playing under Coach Mizelle was a great experience,” Morris said enthusiastically. “I learned a lot from him, not just as a coach but life lessons, especially playing quarterback. Getting knocked down and getting back up, which relates to life. We are going to get knocked down in life, but we have to get back up and keep it moving.

“Coach Sneed made me tougher,” Morris continued. “He was gritty, especially with the style of play that he had. He was going run the ball and he didn’t care who knew he was going to run it. I loved that pound for pound mentality.”

Morris shared what school he was his first choice.

“Initially I wanted to go to East Carolina,” he noted. “This was before my injury. After the injury, of course, all the D1 schools basically backed off. But midway through the season Barton called. They got me out there for an unofficial visit, I applied and I was accepted.

“I fell in love with the campus, the academic life and I started feeling like hopefully this can be home for me,” Morris concluded.

Morris will start training in August for the tight end position at Barton, where he will major in criminal justice. He his goal after college is to work with the State Bureau of Investigation.