Morrison to play at Iowa Central

Creston linebacker Ty Morrison announced Wednesday that he has committed to play football at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge.

Morrison, an inside linebacker on Creston’s 6-4 playoff team, was named to the Class 3A All-District 6 second team defense. In his junior and senior seasons combined, Morrison totaled 73.0 tackles, including 29 solo stops. Last season he ranked 15th in District 6 in total tackles.

He is the son of Panther head coach Brian Morrison and Tina Morrison, both teachers in the Creston Community School District.

Brian Morrison was asked to asses Ty as a coach in terms of playing at the next level.

“There is a lot of upside to him,” Brian Morrison said. “Just the work ethic that he has for any sport that he’s out for. One of the hardest working kids, whether it’s on the practice field or the weight room trying to prep for the season. They are getting a kid who makes academics a big deal.”

Last fall, the 14th-ranked Tritons (7-4 overall) continued an impressive postseason run of success by topping No. 10 Trinity Valley, 31-24, in the Game One Bowl at the UNI-Dome. It marked the 12th consecutive bowl win for the Tritons and 18th overall. For head coach, Jesse Montalto, this was his fifth straight bowl win leading Iowa Central and his ninth consecutive including his first four with Ellsworth.

Ty Morrison said Iowa Central is a perfect fit, both for football and the beginning of his academic interest. He has many relatives in Fort Dodge and the surrounding area as his mother is an Eagle Grove native with family in Fort Dodge.

“It’s close to home, with a nice campus, and the school has what I want to do after football,” Morrison said. “I want to get into kinesiology and physical therapy. I can get my AS (associate of science) degree there and then a four-year school. If I can then play at a four-year school and finish my degree, that would be perfect.”

The football team’s consistent success also attracted Morrison.

“They won their bowl game and they always do well,” Morrison said. “They played Iowa Western to a two-score game, and Iowa Western won it all.”

Morrison is projected as a linebacker in a familiar defensive scheme.

“They run a 3-4 like we do,” he said, “but they have more blitzes and movement. They bring in a lot of kids who end up D1. It will be fun to compete with them.”

Brian Morrison said Iowa Central normally hasn’t recruited much in southern Iowa, but now the staff has a connection to the area.

“Their recruiting coordinator was a coach at Graceland (in Lamoni),” Brian Morrison said, “so now that he knows the Creston area, they make it a habit to come down and visit with our kids.”