It was probably Riley McCoy's most impressive play from Olympic's 2023 football season — and he didn't even record an official stat because of a blown call.
Last October, North Kitsap led Olympic 32-0 late in the third quarter when Vikings running back Morgan Paul broke through the line of scrimmage at North Kitsap's 23 and evaded a pair of Trojans defenders near midfield. By the time Paul reached Olympic's 40-yard line, there was no one between him and the end zone.
Little did Paul know, McCoy was fast on his heels. When the pursuit initially started, Paul had roughly a seven-yard head start on McCoy, who began the play by fending off a block from a pulling guard while manning Olympic's left defensive end spot.
"I was kind of pissed off because (Paul) came up my side, too," McCoy said, reliving the play in his mind. "I kind of got mad and wanted to get him."
On a full sprint, McCoy eventually caught up to Paul and reached out with his left arm to strip the ball at the 1-yard line as both players fell to the ground.
"It was pretty amazing," Olympic head coach Sal Quitevis Jr. said.
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Not only did McCoy cause a fumble, he recovered the ball in the end zone to prevent North Kitsap's fifth touchdown of the game — or so he thought. The official closest to the play signaled TD for the Vikings, who went on to win 39-22.
McCoy's response: "What the hell?" he said. "I ran to the sideline after the play and looked at the tablet. It showed the fumble."
McCoy has that play queued up first in a highlight video he pieced together from his junior year. It shows his speed, but also his desire and ability to make eye-popping plays — even during a contest where the outcome was already decided.
Despite the official coming out on the wrong end of a close call, McCoy doesn't hold any grudges.
"That ref saw my coach the next day," he noted, "and said he shouldn't have called that a touchdown."
Quitevis Jr. said he's looking forward to seeing what McCoy can do as a senior. He accumulated 54 tackles (nine for loss) and a team-leading seven sacks last season while also blocking a punt. Offensively, he rushed the ball 53 times for 456 yards (8.6 yards per carry) and six touchdowns. McCoy accumulated those rushing stats while missing the first game of the season while dealing with a shoulder injury. He was slowly integrated into the offense after other starters went down with ailments.
Getting McCoy to full strength has been an objective for the Trojans the past three years.
"Since his freshman year, he's come into the beginning of the season banged up. You don't really get to see the true Riley until Week 3, Week 4," Quitevis said. "That goal is to come into the beginning of the season healthy. And so far .... he looks good. We've got about four or five weeks here before we get started up."
With preseason practice around the state beginning Aug. 21, the plan for McCoy is to be a primary ball-carrier along with junior Chase Webster. Defensively, Quitevis said McCoy will continue to serve in a hybrid linebacker/defensive end role. Against teams that pass the ball more, the Trojans want McCoy getting after the quarterback. When Olympic faces more run-oriented opponents, the 6-0, 195-pounder will be expected to roam sideline to sideline.
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"He's talented enough and smart enough and he's athletic enough to make up for mistakes," Quitevis said. "He's an aggressive kid when he's out there."
McCoy's statement when asked about his running style encapsulates his general philosophy when he steps on the field. Everyone saw it in the highlight clip against North Kitsap and the Trojans hope to see it a lot this fall.
"Once I get going," McCoy said, "I don't really try to slow down."
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Olympic football plans on unleashing healthy two-way starter McCoy this fall
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