WESTWOOD —
Sometimes lost in the puzzle forming Fairview football’s historical season picture is the piece placed smack dab in the middle.
Much of the time, his job appears simple. Hand the ball off and watch the rest run and block. Stand back and witness the touchdowns unfold.
Amid three 1,000-yard rushers, it’s easy to forget that a freshman quarterback will be guiding Fairview’s offense in the Class A state championship game against Mayfield on Friday at noon (EST) in Bowling Green.
Alex Roy has not only enjoyed this wild ride, he’s used it as a learning experience.
“I like this feeling,” Roy said after Friday night’s 40-6 state semifinal defeat of Hazard. “They’ve taught me a lot.”
The “they” to whom he is referring are senior running backs Devon Turner, Chris Brewer and Elijah King.
“They’re great role models to be around,” he said. “Devon, Chris ... they’re great players, great leaders ... Elijah, he’s a sight to watch.”
Roy has been the starter under center in the Eagles’ Wing-T based offense since Week 4 against Casey County.
With his team sitting at 14-0 facing a chance to accomplish a school first, Roy is amazed at the whirlwind that’s transpired in just his freshman season.
“This team now is unbelievable,” Roy said. “Going to a state championship, I wouldn’t expect it as a freshman.”
Tanner Dolen, another key freshman for the Eagles, mimicked Roy’s feelings.
“Intense, exciting, a dream come true,” Dolen said. “It’s happening and I’m loving it.”
Dolen was among those in the running to be the starting quarterback this season. However, he’s excelled in other roles, both defensively and offensively.
Kyle Stormes took the snaps the first three games, and played pretty well, but Roy was ready to step in by mid-September.
Supplanting Ty Lowe, a two-year starter who was a senior last year, was a tall task.
“Stepping into his shoes was a big step,” Roy said.
Roy succeeded, though. He was 3 of 4 for 99 yards with a touchdown in a 69-29 win over Casey County. In all, Roy is 23 of 57 for 616 yards with six scores and two interceptions.
“He’s done great,” said leading receiver Mason Rutherford, who’s amassed 22 catches for 567 yards. “I can’t ask for him to do any better.”
Fairview has rarely thrown throughout the postseason — the Eagles have accumulated just 16 total attempts, including zero last week.
But, if it comes down to it, the freshman has confidence in his arm.
“I’ve got some guys I can throw it to,” he said. “(Rutherford) can outjump anybody.
“And our (offensive) line,” Roy added. “Oh, that’s something. The times that we have passed, I think I’ve only been hit one time.”
Football is undoubtedly in Roy’s genes. His grandfather, Barry Scraggs, was an assistant coach on seven West Virginia state championship teams at Ceredo-Kenova. His father, Chancey, played quarterback for Fairview in the early 1990s.
Still need tickets?
State championship game tickets will remain on sale at Fairview High School until noon today. Cost is $8.
Tickets are $11 at the gate.
AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.
Local Sports
Fairview's Roy the hand that feeds
Freshman quarterback guides run-oriented offense
- Local Sports
-
-
The will to win
Opponents get the same look from Emily Stewart whether it’s softball, basketball or soccer season.
Steely eyed and lips pursed, the Boyd County senior is keenly focused and all business between the lines. -
THE WEEKLY CYCLE: Holding the key to upset city?
It takes only one game. Few are more firm believers in that fact than the small schools that find themselves in underdog roles year after year.
-
Locals struggle to make impact
Some days you are the windshield and some days you are the bug.
It is a saying that proved to be all too true for Rowan County on Friday night at the KHSAA Class 2A State Track and Field Championships at the University of Louisville’s Owsley Frazier Cardinal Park. -
Rough Ending
Fairview senior Kennedy Womack wasn’t her consistent self in Saturday morning’s state tennis semifinals at the University of Kentucky’s Hilary Boone Tennis Complex.
As a result, the top seed fell to Lexington Sayre sophomore Madeline Rolph 6-1, 6-0.
Womack was obviously disappointed with her finish, especially after losing in last year’s state finals, but she was happy for her good friend Rolph. -
FLYING HIGH
If Fairview could have fielded a combined track and field team at Saturday’s Class A State Track and Field Championships, the Eagles and Lady Eagles would have had a record day. Instead, the Fairview girls had to “settle” for fifth, while the boys’ claimed 10th.
-
Womack eliminated in semifinals
Top-seeded Kennedy Womack was eliminated in the semifinals of the State Tournament on Saturday at the University of Kentucky tennis courts.
-
Big-inning Dawgs
It looked for a while that a questionable call may have determined the outcome of the game, but in the end, it was just an afterthought.
-
Boyd County finds senior spark
Losers of four straight, Boyd County was searching for something positive Friday night before beginning postseason play Monday night.
-
Doubles teams head to semis at state tourney
With rain staying away, the KHSAA State Tennis Tournament got into full swing on Friday afternoon.
Semifinals and finals will be held today at the University of Kentucky Boone/Downing Tennis Complex for boys and girls singles competitions. -
McKnight hurdling to Georgetown
Fairview’s Paige McKnight is known for jumping hurdles. She cleared a pretty big one on Thursday.
In front of friends and family at Fairview Elementary School, McKnight signed a letter of intent to run track for Georgetown College. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
