ROGERS -- Hunter Loyd understands the pressures of playing quarterback under the bright Friday night lights.
He's watched it growing up plenty. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound sophomore is now getting ready have it shine on him as a Rogers High Mountie. And he's openly embracing it.
NWADG Preseason
Newcomer of the Year
HUNTER LOYD
SCHOOL Rogers High
CLASS Sophomore
POSITION Quarterback
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 190
NOTABLE His father, Mike, played quarterback professionally in the NFL, CFL and USFL. … Runs 40-yard dash between 4.6 and 4.7 seconds. …. Also runs track and plays basketball for the Mounties.
"Yes, there's a lot of pressure being the quarterback," he said. "But the most pressure comes form your dad being the head coach, living under his footsteps and trying to live up to them. I've been counting down the days until Friday nights start. It's going to be fun and interesting. It's different from Thursday night or Monday night, the game's a lot faster."
Hunter's father, Mike, is not only the Mounties' coach, but the elder Loyd also played quarterback professionally in the NFL, USFL and Canadian Football League. He's coached 21 quarterbacks who've gone on to play in college -- 14 at the Division I level.
Both father and son agree, it's not football 24/7 in the Loyd household. Both also agree that's a good thing.
"He lets me come to him," Hunter said. "It's nice not to talk about football all the time, but it's nice to know if I have a question I've got somebody there to answer it."
Hunter was a key fixture at practices as a youngster when his father started the football program in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. He said getting to see what Division I athletes like Perry Orth, who started at quarterback at South Carolina, and Dillon Bates, who plays linebacker at Tennessee, has also shown him the way.
"Just being around it helps you learn the game," Hunter said. "I got to see what Division I athletes look like and the work ethic it takes. The ability doesn't do anything if you don't add to it."
Mike Loyd said that his son has some ability isn't in doubt, but he doesn't yet have the experience of being a high school quarterback.
That will change this week as the Mounties open the season Friday night at Siloam Springs.
"He's already bigger than I was when I was a senior and he hasn't turned 16 yet," Mike said. "He's got an extremely strong arm and can move around a little bit. As he gets older, I think he'll be able to make some plays with his feet. He's got to learn a little touch.
"I think he has understanding. He's been going with me since he was a couple years old. I don't know that he's missed a practice. But here's the thing, leadership is something you have to earn from your teammates. It's not something you get because you're the quarterback."
Hunter is both anxious and excited for his first snap under center with the varsity. He's got lofty goals, but he's also keeping it simple.
"Compete for a district championship," Loyd said. "Personally, throw more touchdowns than interceptions."
The latter usually leads to success.
Sports on 08/27/2017