Qualk, Morgan earn MVI weekly honors

It is hard to imagine anyone having a better last performance than California running back Lee Qualk or Elizabeth Forward golfer Mya Morgan.

Qualk, a senior, carried the ball just 11 times against Bentworth Friday night and rolled up 254 yards rushing and scored a whopping 6 touchdowns in a 72-14 rout of Bentworth.

Morgan, a junior, is trying to defend her WPIAL 3A golf individual championship. She opened in outstanding fashion by being the medalist at the Sectional Qualifier at Victory Hills Tuesday, shooting an even-par 71.

Morgan nearly lapped the field as the runner-up in the qualifier was Norwin’s Adelena Robb eight strokes back at 79.

For his efforts, Qualk is this week’s MVI Player of the Week and Morgan was named MVI Athlete of the Week.

Lee Qualk

Qualk, who leads the WPIAL in rushing with 798 yards on just 84 carries and is also second in the WPIAL in scoring with 13 TDs and 6 extra-points.

What made his performance even more amazing Friday was that he scored all of his TDs in the first half for the Trojans (2-2, 1-0).

Even though the 5-9, 175-pound senior is in his first year in the Trojans’ starting backfield, Cal coach Ed Woods is not surprised by his success.

“He played behind Braden Petrucci last year, but we knew then that he was going to be pretty good. He started for us on defense last year,” said Woods. “He has a great work ethic. He has what it takes and he does the same thing at practice every single day. He never takes a day or a play off.

“He is in such phenomenal shape. Against Serra Catholic he had like 36 or 38 carries and when the game was over he looked like he could play another game.”

Woods said there is so much to like about Qualk and he would love to have a few more kids like him.

“He’s strong, durable, tough and has really good vision on the field,” Woods said. “And he’s got great instincts for the game that you really can’t teach. He is very coachable … just the kind of kid you like having on your team.”

Mya Morgan

Morgan has put EF on the golf map with her career so far. And today, she and the Warriors have a chance to do something EF hasn’t done since 1998.

And that’s win a section golf title.

EF can win that elusive section crown by beating Franklin Regional at Manor Valley.

In qualifying for the WPIAL championship on Tuesday, Morgan used the ability she has developed during her career at EF.

“Her game is strong everywhere,” said EF golf coach Justin Korona. “She hits it long and straight off the tee. Her iron play is phenomenal and so is her short game. She also has really improved her putting.

“She had all of it going for her (at Victory Hills).”

Korona said as good as Morgan is a player, she is even better as a teammate.

“She works so hard to make all of her teammates better, to make the team better,” Corona said. “It’s very important to her to see team improvement.

“And she’s thrilled that one of her teammates, (sophomore) Sydney Boyd also qualified and will play in the WPIAL Individual Championship with her.”

Boyd finished fourth at Victory Hills with an 82.

This season, Morgan has a 35.5 scoring average for 9 holes Corona says her goal on the course is very simple these days.

“She has her game in order now and the goal now is to simply shoot more rounds under par,” he said of his star.

“She’s just so solid and a joy to coach. She is loved by her teammates, just a great person.”