First in a series highlighting each position for the 2018 Morehead State Football program.

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- It all starts with the quarterback. Well, not exactly.

In football the center technically starts with the ball on offense. But, the quarterback is the position many consider to be the face of the unit and makes the most vital decisions typically. And Morehead State's quarterback group is well stacked for the 2018 season.

Senior signal caller Lawson Page, from Shelbyville, Ky., is slated to start for his second straight season after throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 20 scores through the air as a redshirt junior in 2017.

Former Clemson standout quarterback Cole Stoudt is now on staff at MSU and has been impressed with the leadership qualities Page displays every day.

"Lawson has grown a lot as a leader of the team and a commander of the offense," said Stoudt, who commanded the Clemson Tigers to a Russell Athletic Bowl victory and threw for more than 1,800 yards in 2014. " He has come to work every day looking for things to improve on so he is at his best for this team."

Page also racked up 301 rushing yards and scored four times on the ground in 2017.

"His greatest strength would be just what I mentioned," Stoudt said. "He is an extremely hard worker and will do what it takes for him to be at his best.  All of my QBs are striving to be their best and it is making others around them better."

Speaking of the others, the Eagles have two men vying for the top backup role right now. Redshirt freshmen Mark Pappas (Avon Lake, Ohio) and Zach Hardin (Richmond, Ky.) used 2017 as a crucial learning experience and are ready for action in 2018.

"Zach and Mark bring a lot to the table for this offense and team," Stoudt added. "They compete at a high level and both are able to command the offense when they step on the field."

Pappas recorded 3,317 yards and 33 scores as a senior at Avon Lake (Ohio) High School in 2016, while Hardin knows the aerial game well too, passing for 5,825 yards and 59 touchdowns in his career at Madison Central High School.

Depth is always key too with the signal callers. Two more Eagles - Cary Enos III and Dallas Bruton - are in the mix. Enos, from Duncan, S.C., was here in the spring and went through all of spring drills and the spring game. Bruton, from Lexington, Ky., by way of Livingston (Ala.) University, used 2017 to redshirt after transferring.

"As for the depth of the quarterbacks we have guys who can step on the field and make plays," said Stoudt. "They are a very competitive group of guys and love the game of football. As a quarterback coach it feels good to be able to have full confidence and trust in whoever is on the field."

Football opens the 2018 season Aug. 30 at Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m. ET. Season tickets for the six home games are on sale now by clicking here.