Posted at: 09/19/2012 6:36 PM

Print Story  Email to a Friend

Riley Donovan

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Riley Donovan hasn't always been a quarterback.

"This is really his first year at quarterback, he's being recruited more as a wide receiver, but this is his first full time at quarterback," said his coach, Ivan Kroulik.

"I like the leadership role and putting the team on my back," said Donovan. "You have to make sure you're doing your best every game and you can't have any off games."

With Riley's stats, you would never know it was his first year as a quarterback. In one game alone against Cannon Falls, the senior rushed for three touchdowns and passed for two.

"He really presents defenses a problem because we run a spread offense, and on a lot of non-spread teams, a quarterback basically passes or hands the ball off," said Kroulik, "Riley's another running back."

Riley's ease into his new position and pure talent was developed at a young age.

"In second grade, my dad and I always watched football when I was younger and I always wanted to play so I've been playing since then, flag football all the way up," said Donovan.

His dad's love and knowledge of the game rubbed off on Riley, but just not position wise.

"He's the offensive line coach, so I didn't get his genes," said the quarterback.

But he did get his dad's passion, and that is more than enough for the senior star.