Roach headed to Huntingdon to be a Hawk

Published 2:45 pm Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Johnathan Roach did a little bit of everything for the GMC Prep football team this past fall, so it makes sense that he doesn’t know exactly what he’ll be playing when he shows up for practice at the next level.

The senior athlete lined up at wide receiver, running back, defensive back, and even played a little wildcat quarterback for the Bulldogs his final high school season. A few of those options are on the table when Roach joins the Huntingdon College football team.

“I’ll do what ever they need me to do,” he said.

Roach signed to the Division III Montgomery, Alabama school in a ceremony held last Tuesday, May 7 inside Cordell Gym.

Huntingdon coaches have talked to the recent signee about playing wide receiver, safety, and corner, all positions that are very fitting for a player that was named Region Athlete of the Year in 2023. Roach was the Bulldogs’ leading rusher at 591 yards and nine touchdowns while also pacing the team in receiving with 307 yards and three touchdowns. His biggest performance came in the season finale versus Twiggs where he had 176 yards on the ground with three rushing TDs and 75 yards receiving with another TD that way.

Several of Roach’s former coaches spoke on the player’s behalf during last Tuesday’s ceremony. Athletic Director Rusty Courson, formerly the middle school football coach, recalled seeing Roach return five kickoffs for touchdowns as an eighth-grader. The 2023 season was the first for GMC Prep varsity wide receivers coach Kyle Redmond, but it didn’t take him long to recognize that Roach would be the example for the younger players when the position group did drills. The Bulldogs head coach for ‘23 Bobby Rhoades is no longer at the school, but former head Lee Coleman did attend, making the long trek from his current job at Gainesville’s Lakeview Academy. He told those in attendance about Roach’s dedication in the weight room.

“He came with a work ethic and showed up day in and day out at 6 a.m.,” Coleman said. “I don’t know if I could name anyone that works harder than Johnathan.”

That work ethic will serve Roach well as he seeks to make an impact as a Huntingdon Hawk.

“It feels great because this is what I’ve dreamed of ever since I was a little boy,” he said on getting the opportunity to continue playing. “I’ve always had aspirations of playing in college and going to the NFL.”

Roach said his recruitment went slowly at first, but Rhoades helped put him together with Huntingdon. The player is grateful to be heading only one state over after having talked to schools further north.

“It’s cold, it’s far away,” Roach said of his options up north. “I like to be close to home.”

Huntingdon football has had winning records going back to 2018 and currently competes in the USA South Conference with schools like LaGrange and Belhaven. The Hawks in their most recent season went 9-1 before getting knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.