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Roach, Wilson, Lee: a delight to see
Commentary by KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
While covering East Carolina football has always been enjoyable, this year is proving to be a real treat.
It’s made all the more special because of three individuals in particular — an offensive player, a defensive player and an ECU Dance Team member. I always have a vested interest during the game because of these former area athletes.
On offense, I have a vested interest in Kevin Roach, who is a senior wide receiver. He’s putting up some solid numbers in his final go-around with the Pirates.
Entering Saturday’s home game against Tulsa, which kicks off at 3 p.m. at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Roach has 11 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown.
With seven games remaining, Roach has a great shot to have his best season ever, which would only seem fitting. His best season to date was his sophomore campaign, when he hauled in 26 catches for 275 yards and a score.
Roach, who has caught a pass in eight straight games, isn’t just catching dinks and dump offs. He’s making some key receptions for the Pirates, with several coming on third-and-long situations.
Roach’s average of 16.3 yards per catch is highest among those receivers with at least three receptions.
It seems that everything thrown his way is getting gobbled up by the sure-handed receiver.
That doesn’t surprise me. I covered Kevin when he was a standout player at Williamston High School.
He was a big man on campus, excelling in baseball, basketball and football. But he really caught my eye in football, where he and younger brother, Brad, now the starting quarterback at Catawba College, would feast on the secondaries of their opponents.
I always looked forward to the Tigers’ games, where I knew the Roach boys would put on a good show. Kevin had a sensational senior season, finishing with 59 receptions for 1,042 yards and eight scores.
Kevin’s numbers may not be gaudy yet this year, but the passes he is catching have been huge.
I’m just hoping Kevin will catch a couple more in the end zone this year.
On defense, I have a vested interest in C.J. Wilson, a freshman defensive end. He earned the first start of his career in last week’s 31-21 win over Virginia. Wilson finished with one tackle, giving him nine for the season.
I covered C.J. when he attended Northside High School. While all of the Wilson boys are friendly and outgoing, C.J. may just be the most outgoing.
I remember sitting in the stands covering a Panthers’ game when a young man wearing a huge smile walked up to me, shook my hand, sat next to me and proceeded to talk my ear off for the next 15 minutes.
But it was great. It was refreshing. He was refreshing.
I still remember to this day that he told me to watch out for him; that he was going to do something special. He was exactly right.
I couldn’t be happier for or prouder of a kid than I am for C.J. The sky is the limit for him. He just may have NFL potential written all over him.
Before the game and at halftime, I have a vested interest in Laura Lee, a stunning, sweet blonde-haired, blue-eyed sophomore ECU Dance Team member.
Laura, who recently obtained her pilot’s license, has a love for dancing. It shows each time she performs, which can be daunting in front of 35,000-plus fans. But she does it with grace and style and a smile.
Kevin, C.J. and Laura have helped to make this season a, well, real touchdown.
Kevin Travis is the Sports Editor of the Washington Daily News. You may reach him at 940-4217 or by email at kevin@wdnweb.com.
While covering East Carolina football has always been enjoyable, this year is proving to be a real treat.
It’s made all the more special because of three individuals in particular — an offensive player, a defensive player and an ECU Dance Team member. I always have a vested interest during the game because of these former area athletes.
On offense, I have a vested interest in Kevin Roach, who is a senior wide receiver. He’s putting up some solid numbers in his final go-around with the Pirates.
Entering Saturday’s home game against Tulsa, which kicks off at 3 p.m. at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Roach has 11 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown.
With seven games remaining, Roach has a great shot to have his best season ever, which would only seem fitting. His best season to date was his sophomore campaign, when he hauled in 26 catches for 275 yards and a score.
Roach, who has caught a pass in eight straight games, isn’t just catching dinks and dump offs. He’s making some key receptions for the Pirates, with several coming on third-and-long situations.
Roach’s average of 16.3 yards per catch is highest among those receivers with at least three receptions.
It seems that everything thrown his way is getting gobbled up by the sure-handed receiver.
That doesn’t surprise me. I covered Kevin when he was a standout player at Williamston High School.
He was a big man on campus, excelling in baseball, basketball and football. But he really caught my eye in football, where he and younger brother, Brad, now the starting quarterback at Catawba College, would feast on the secondaries of their opponents.
I always looked forward to the Tigers’ games, where I knew the Roach boys would put on a good show. Kevin had a sensational senior season, finishing with 59 receptions for 1,042 yards and eight scores.
Kevin’s numbers may not be gaudy yet this year, but the passes he is catching have been huge.
I’m just hoping Kevin will catch a couple more in the end zone this year.
On defense, I have a vested interest in C.J. Wilson, a freshman defensive end. He earned the first start of his career in last week’s 31-21 win over Virginia. Wilson finished with one tackle, giving him nine for the season.
I covered C.J. when he attended Northside High School. While all of the Wilson boys are friendly and outgoing, C.J. may just be the most outgoing.
I remember sitting in the stands covering a Panthers’ game when a young man wearing a huge smile walked up to me, shook my hand, sat next to me and proceeded to talk my ear off for the next 15 minutes.
But it was great. It was refreshing. He was refreshing.
I still remember to this day that he told me to watch out for him; that he was going to do something special. He was exactly right.
I couldn’t be happier for or prouder of a kid than I am for C.J. The sky is the limit for him. He just may have NFL potential written all over him.
Before the game and at halftime, I have a vested interest in Laura Lee, a stunning, sweet blonde-haired, blue-eyed sophomore ECU Dance Team member.
Laura, who recently obtained her pilot’s license, has a love for dancing. It shows each time she performs, which can be daunting in front of 35,000-plus fans. But she does it with grace and style and a smile.
Kevin, C.J. and Laura have helped to make this season a, well, real touchdown.
Kevin Travis is the Sports Editor of the Washington Daily News. You may reach him at 940-4217 or by email at kevin@wdnweb.com.
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