After a promising season was cut short by injury last year, sophomore Ryder Davis is in his second year as the quarterback for the Keys Cougars. He had over 1000 yards of offense when a mid-season injury ended his season last year so he’s on a mission to take up where he left off in 2025. “My start in football came about when I was watching my cousin Nolan Philpott play. I’d go to his games with my aunt, and it made me want to play as well,” said Davis who played baseball and basketball through middle school and says he may go back to basketball this year. “I like the camaraderie of being part of a team and I like the contact of the sport (though maybe not as much after last year).” Even though he’s just a sophomore, as the quarterback the position calls for him to be somewhat of a leader and it’s that camaraderie that helps him do it. “We’ll go to eat before a game or after practice sometimes and hang out a lot and we bond pretty well, and they pretty much listen to me out on the field.” Ryder describes himself as more of a running rather than passing quarterback. “I can throw the ball but that’s an area I’m really working to improve, especially my accuracy as well as being able to read defenses better.” Though he has played some defense, he prefers playing offense. “I just like the feeling of scoring and being able to help determine the outcome of a close game.” And he shared a couple of memories that illustrate that point. “Last year in our season opener against Gore, my first game at QB, it was late in the game, and I rolled out and started to run but spotted Clancey Queton down the field and hit him with a touchdown pass that won the game for us. The very same thing happened the next week against Stillwell, and we went ahead late but ended up losing that game.” In his spare time, Ryder likes to hang out with pals and his girlfriend, play catch with his teammates and play golf.
