Jack Morris is ready to look forward.

While the Warrenton senior credits his teammates, coaches and school for getting to where he is now, Morris said he’s ready to build on the foundation he set in high school.

That’s why Morris, the Warriors’ 6-foot-2, 285-pound center, chose Missouri Western, with whom he signed his National Letter of Intent on February 4.

“This is, to me, the beginning because I’m not satisfied with where I’m at now,” Morris said. “This is where my career starts. I had a great high school career, but this is where I’m going to turn into my best self.”

Morris’s high school career finished up as he helped lead the Warriors (7-4) to a first-round win in the MSHSAA district playoffs.

His effort also earned him a second- team all-state nod, while his work ethic in the classroom earned him an academic all-state selection.

Warrenton coach Jason Koper paid Morris the highest of compliments when looking back at his high school career.

“Jack is pretty easy to sum up, he’s going to be one of the best linemen I’ll ever coach,” Koper said. “I thought he was just an absolute dominant force from the time he played freshman when we moved him up to varsity all the way through. He’s been able to show so much ability to grow and learn at different positions, going from fullback to guard to tackle and then getting to his home position at center.”

Koper added that Missouri Western is getting not only a tremendous human being to add to the football roster, but also the added benefit of securing the talents of a skilled football player who will only improve from the first day he sets foot on campus.

“I’m just proud of his growth,” Koper said. “It’s great to see him go to an amazing school. Missouri Western is just a tremendous Division II program. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

Morris will join a signing class at Missouri Western of 27 freshmen and one junior college transfer for a program that finished with three wins last season.

According to the program’s website, the coaching staff had this to say about Morris: "Jack is a tough and physical offensive lineman. He's a finisher who gets several pancake blocks in each game and has the ability to pull from the center."

Morris echoed those words of positivity when he summed up how he feels about the program and school, located in St. Joseph.

“The coaching staff really believed in me,” Morris said. “I felt wanted, and I believe that’s what anybody wants: to feel wanted. The facilities are top-notch and the overall culture there is just what I want to be a part of.”

“Not many people get this opportunity,” Morris said. “I’m excited to get the chance to play at the next level.”

Morris, who carries a 3.66 grade point average, said his goal is to be a part of the Construction Engineering Technology program under the project management brand at Missouri Western.

“That’s what I’m really interested in,” he said.

Morris said that, on the football field, he’s ready to get to work.

That work will include a couple of very specific goals he’s going to work hard to achieve.

“First, I want to get in there and learn the playbook and learn the system,” Morris said. “I want to find my role. I want to make it onto the 53-man roster. I want to be on the travel squad. That’s what I want.”