Morton's moment arrives as Braves host Butte in Bigfork

Taylor Morton’s aim is to keep everything the same.

The Flathead quarterback still plans to listen to his Kendrick Lamar playlist and chat with teammates to stay relaxed during pregame warmups. He will still try to play in the moment, take care of the ball and orchestrate the offense efficiently. And, above all, he’ll still do everything he can to win.

But no matter how much Morton tries to keep things the same, tonight will inevitably be different.

After two years as the Flathead junior varsity starter, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Morton will make his first varsity start for the Braves tonight at 7 p.m. when they take on Butte in the season opener at Bigfork High School.

The start — a beginning in many ways — will also serve as a culmination of sorts.

Morton began playing quarterback in fourth grade with the dream of one day earning the starting quarterback job on the varsity football team. Tonight, that dream becomes reality.

“He’s going to be more than ready to go,” Flathead head coach Kyle Samson said. “He’s been waiting. He’s been chomping at the bit for two years to be the (starter).”

Morton’s time has been a long time coming.

For the past two years, he watched from the sidelines as Bridger Johnson piloted the Flathead offense.

Not only did he watch, he observed Johnson’s actions on and off the field and absorbed all he could.

“During my time as a backup, I noticed how much of an impact leadership as a quarterback has on an entire team,” Morton said. “That’s the biggest thing I’ve taken from seeing quarterbacks ahead of me.”

Leadership is something the senior signal-caller will look to provide for the Flathead offense this year, but he and Samson both know he will need some help in overcoming the hiccups that come with being a first-time starter.

Samson said he believes Morton has all the support he needs to be successful.

“We’ve got such a good offensive line and good skill kids that surround him,” Samson said. “We’ve got a solid running game, so he doesn’t feel like he has to go out and win the game by himself.”

Samson and his offensive staff have also made a point to provide Morton with realistic goals for his first outing.

Among those goals: no turnovers, a 65 percent completion percentage and a score on the first drive of the game.

Whether Morton meets those goals will go a long way toward determining whether Flathead kicks off its season with a win or a loss against the Bulldogs.

Flathead has played Butte in each of the past two seasons, winning both matchups.

After a 38-10 rout in 2015, the Braves eked out a 14-7 win in what senior wide receiver John Hinchey recalled as a “total dogfight.”

Flathead expects a similar game this year, as both teams will be looking to make an early statement about its ability to challenge for the Class AA state title.

“It’s a new year,” Samson said. “Both teams are looking for a fresh start.”

The Braves, who are looking to improve on a disappointing 3-7 record last fall, now have just that. Morton has one, too.

Flathead is finally his team, and as Samson put it, “This is his time.”

“I have no nerves at all,” Morton said. “I know that any mistakes I have as a first-time starter, I know that these guys are going to be around me to pick me up. I’m excited to get out there and show people what I’m made of this year.”