“Coach Loose is such a great guy and I had the chance to spend some time in Coach Monken’s office,” said the Mountaineers’ senior standout who also has a strong interest in engineering which is one of the top areas of study at West Point. “There was just something about the entire environment and the people I met there which immediately had such a powerful impression on me.

“I feel that I am ready to make the commitment to the entire process I will be undertaking.”

Future Army Cadets spend their first year at West Point Prep prior to attending the main college and taking classes there with those four years followed by an 8-year commitment that requires at least five years of active duty and three years in the reserves.

“It’s going to be a great place to learn and I look at the entire experience, including the active duty after college, as a real benefit in the long run for me and my family,” continued Green. “I am going to have the opportunity of a lifetime and I am excited for it all to begin!”

The standout West Orange running back finished his high school career with 2,887 rushing yards and 31 TDs. he had 200 carries for 1,144 yards and 18 TDs during this past fall's 9-3 season for the Mountaineers who were defeated by Passaic Tech in the North 1, Group 5 state sectional playoff final.

Moore (35 receptions for 534 yards, 7 TDs), who is slated to play wide receiver at UMass where he hopes to major in Sports Management, had also made his commitment to the New England-based school known several months back.

He had previously received FBS offers from an impressive list that included Duke, West Virginia, the University of Pittsburgh, Marshall and Toledo.

“I just come out every day ready to work hard and do whatever my team needs me to do to help us win,” he said in an interview this past fall. “And, I’m thankful to all my West Orange coaches including Coach Grant, Coach Pete (Pascarella) and Coach ‘C’ (Cyrus Harbin), plus my dad, who has been my coach since I was just a little kid, has me working all year round to help me get stronger and faster.”

Morgan, who came on strong his senior season with 34 receptions for 528 yards and 5 TDs, also plans to major in Sports Management at UMass where he will be a freshman teammate of fellow West Orange Mountaineer David Moore when the Amherst, Mass.-based Minutemen gather together next summer for pre-season drills.

The Mountaineer gridiron trio took time to pose for photos with family, team members, other friends, their coaches and administrators during the recent National Signing Day celebration when the school district's top administrator, West Orange Schools Superintendent Hayden Moore, was quite appreciative of the young men’s efforts in reaching this stage of life in such impressive style.

“You are among the best,” he stated “Thank you for being role models.

“If you wonder what we do here in this district, look at these young men. I know our kids can make it anywhere and that they will excel!”

Essex County As A Whole Had Its Fair Share Of D1 Commits

Among the other Essex County seniors formalizing their commitments to D1 programs during the December National Signing period were safety Alex Hanks of East Orange Campus (Temple), QB Paul Jones III of Weequahic (Tennessee State), safety Zaiden McDonald of Group 2 state runner-up Shabazz (Stanford) and O-lineman Javon Tyler of Weequahic (Central Connecticut State).

-Thanks to Cynthia Cumming from West Orange High School communications for her contributions to this article        

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