Finch's encore even better
Asked to recall what stood out most about running back Roy Finch’s season, Niceville coach John Hicks paused to ponder his response.
Finch had gashed opposing defenses for 1,670 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns in leading Niceville to a 13-1 record, a No. 1 ranking in the state and an appearance in the Class 4A state finals. Finch had also proven deadly in the Eagles’ passing attack, catching 30 passes for 507 yards and six more touchdowns.
Including his duties as a kick and punt returner, Finch had accounted for 35 touchdowns on the season.
And yet, the more he thought about it, the numbers weren’t what stood out to Hicks.
“There are very few times you have the opportunity to coach a person of Roy’s ability, yet someone who’s so unselfish,” Hicks said. “When your best player is someone all the other players like and respect, that makes it fun.”
Finch has repeated as the All Sports Association/Daily News big school Football Player of the Year. He’s also been named the Offensive Player of the Year for a second straight season.
Coming off of a junior campaign that saw Finch establish himself as one of the state’s more highly sought after college prospects, Finch was determined to raise the bar as he entered his senior season. Despite the huge numbers he put up as a junior, Finch admitted to hearing talk that he was too small to carry the ball in upwards of 30 carries or to pick up the tough yardage between the tackles.
He was a perimeter back, a scat back, a finesse guy. Such talk only fueled Finch.
“You always want to prove people wrong,” Finch said. “I don’t mean that as being spiteful, but you want to prove it to yourself. Last year, at the end of the season, they said that I was a scat back and I didn’t have the power to run up the middle. I couldn’t be in the I-formation.
“I wanted to prove it to myself. That was the most important thing.”
So Finch hit the weight room. Hard.
He bulked up, seeing gains on his lifts in the weight room while still maintaining the speed and elusiveness that had separated him from other players in the area. After verbally committing to the University of Oklahoma in late June, Finch showcased a tougher running style as well as his ability to make a difference in the passing game, a dimension that wasn’t as readily seen a season before.
According to Finch, it was all part of a plan to increase his number of touches in a game.
As Niceville entered its stretch run, Finch’s touches took on added significance. He answered the call by running for 104, 187, 205, 137 and 148 yards in the postseason, scoring a touchdown in every game and three times scoring at least twice. In the state championship loss to Dwyer, Finch carried the ball 33 times.
Some scat back.
“I knew that I would have to work extra hard and be more of a vocal leader and be a leader by how I played and practiced,” Finch said of his mindset entering his senior season. “I just wanted to come out and do the best that I could.”
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Mark Barrett, Niceville
While Finch and star receiver Kody Williams took most of the headlines, Niceville’s offensive line quietly put together an impressive season and Barrett emerged as its leader. A hulking physical specimen, Barrett’s combination of size, strength, mobility and smarts made him one of the area’s best.
Defensive Player of the Year: Domonique Smith, FWB
It’s hard to argue with a player that posted 145 tackles. Smith starred as a defensive back for the Vikings and despite not having any prior varsity experience entering the season, made a name for himself with his ability to make an impact against the pass and coming up field in run defense.
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Levi Hendrix, Crestview
Before a single game had been played, Crestview coach Matt Brunson beamed over the potential for his defensive line and Hendrix was a big reason why. The nose guard was a force and piled up 72 tackles on the season and also registered a pair of fumble recoveries and an interception to boot.
Daily New All-Area Football Team
Big schools (3A-4A)
Player of the Year: Roy Finch, Niceville
Offensive Player of the Year: Roy Finch, Niceville
Defensive Player of the Year: Domonique Smith, FWB
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Mark Barrett, Niceville
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Levi Hendrix, Crestview
Coach of the Year: John Hicks, Niceville
First team
Offense
QB – Luke Barnes, FWB
QB – Kyle McDorman, Niceville
RB – Roy Finch, Niceville
RB – Chris Pickett, Crestview
WR – Kody Williams, Niceville
WR – Carter Liufau, FWB
WR – Justin Savage, Choctaw
WR – Robert Willis, FWB
OL – Mark Barrett, Niceville
OL – Chase Boals, Crestview
OL – Nick Brown, Crestview
OL – Cody Jay, Choctaw
OL – Steven Schoewe, Niceville
OL – Chris Rutherford, Niceville
AP – Freddie Gray, Choctaw
AP – Michael Pettus, Navarre
K – Eric Leurinda, FWB
Defense
DL – Armani Williams, Navarre
DL – Levi Hendrix, Crestview
DL – Charles Phillips, Niceville
DL – Eugene Robinson, Navarre
DL – Parker Willingham, Niceville
LB – Ben Baber, Crestview
LB – Max Curtis, Choctaw
LB – Greg Norrell, Niceville
LB – Amond Robinson, Crestview
LB – Michael White, Niceville
DB – Tre’Von Allen, Navarre
DB – Chaun Lynn, FWB
DB – Anthony Miles, Niceville
DB – Domonique Smith, FWB
AP – Kenny Barnes, Choctaw
AP – Dexter Hottell, FWB
P – Luke Barnes, FWB
Honorable Mention
Choctaw: Jesse Adams, Ryan Born, Jackie Bush, Cody Brannen, Dillion Drake, Donald Henderson, Charlie Lott, Zach Morgan, Trey Randolph, Alec Shubele, Branden Williams
Crestview: Artis Coleman, Matt Dobson, Donquel Dorsey, Josh Jadin, D.D. Johnson, Josh McDonald, Blake Ritchie
FWB: Mac Barton, Oshkin Bulutoglu, Jon Castro, Dakota Davis, Brandon Goldston, Joe Lofton, Deiontrez Mount, Aaron Pitman, Kyle Van Atta, Spencer Williams
Navarre: Justin Bishop, Matt Burrell, Tom Cruise, Chris Stapleton, Andrew Velazquez, Tyler Williams
Niceville: Garrett Fletcher, Josh Gordon, Tyler Hall, Tanner Hansen, Hayden Meyer, Aaron Moore, Spencer Pullen, Stefano Schutte, Daniel Spencer
