Yough has a “coach’s extension” in WR Roebuck

By: Bill Beckner Jr.

Thursday, August 25, 2022 | 00:01

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When he found out he was moving from quarterback to receiver at the end of last season, Yough’s Gavin Roebuck had mixed emotions.

OK, he was pretty disgusted.

But then his perception started to change as compromise merged with curiosity and he started to embrace the new role.

“It was humiliating and discouraging at first,” the elder said. “But now, to be honest, I see the game better, and it’s better for the team.”

Roebuck has played the last three games of 2021 on the sidelines and, despite only catching one pass after completing 45, he has started to warm up to become a receiver.

Tristan Waldier has traded places with Roebuck, who has started nine games at quarterback over the past two years.

Now second-year Raidon Kuroda will start under Cougars center, who open Ben Hoffer’s coaching era on Friday night at home against South Allegheny. Roebuck will be one of his main targets.

“Gavin is such a clean road runner,” Hoffer said. “He’s such a smart kid and he has good habits. If I was 30 this year, we’d be pretty good. We need him as a receiver.

Roebuck is one of the most cerebral you will meet at the preparatory level: “I am a B-plus or higher student. Just be careful and do your job. It’s not that difficult,” he said.

“I love the game. On Sundays, I watch football from 1 to 11 p.m. I watch college games all the time too. If the football is not there, I look for game drills of legs.

He particularly analyzes pass-catchers like Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow.

“I love watching their footwork and how they sell a route,” he said.

Hoffer appreciates Roebuck’s unwavering attention to detail.

Roebuck suggested Cougars get into the habit of watching more movies to better right the wrongs that happen in games. The Cougars plan to watch five to six hours of film per week, Hoffer said.

“He’s an extension of a coach,” Hoffer said. “Like a point guard in basketball. He calls the huddle on defense. I like to take advice from the players. If he thinks we should try something, I’ll listen to him.

Having played quarterback, Roebuck has an idea of ​​what the game looks like under center. It’s fast and quick decisions are key. But the receiver has its own unique view.

“I see the game differently at receiver,” he said. “I see things that I didn’t see before. I like it.”

Red-haired Roebuck, born and raised in West Newton and nicknamed baseball’s “Buck”, comes from an athletic family.

He has five siblings and is the youngest of three brothers.

You don’t want to play with her sisters.

Nathaniel and Brendan Roebuck also played football at Young, as did two of his sisters.

Kylie Roebuck played four years and saw college time at Yough, even playing linebacker in one game.

Katie Roebuck, a softball player, played midget football.

Makayla Roebuck, another sister, is a cheerleader.

“We’re all pretty tough,” Gavin Roebuck said. “Growing up with two older brothers, you have to be tough. My dad taught us that when you get into something, you stick with it. I think this way about everything: Think about it and go get it.

Bill Beckner Jr. is an editor of the Tribune-Review. You can contact Bill by email at bbeckner@triblive.com or via Twitter .

Key words: young