ARLINGTON – Since he was roaming the middle school playing fields, Roger Hagan has always worked "his tail off" at playing quarterback despite always playing the back-up role.
In the seventh and eighth grade, Hagan was the "B" team quarterback. Once in high school, Hagan has continued to grow and for the past two years has competed with Dematrius Davis for reps.
Even though Hagan's name has been second on the depth chart since his middle school days, the senior never stopped working.
"You look at him in the weight room and it hit us one day, all of a sudden you look at a kid that looks like a grown man," North Shore coach Jon Kay said. "Just because of what he's been taught, just nothing but work."
On Saturday, Hagan was thrust into being North Shore's primary running back for the 6A Division I State Championship game against Duncanville.
Hagan – despite not having five stars or a laundry list of offers next to his name – put his head down, plowed his way forward time and time again, eating up much-needed yards and scoring against Duncanville when North Shore needed it.
Hagan ended his final high school game carrying the ball 27 times for 105 yards and scoring two touchdowns to help lead North Shore to the program's and his second-straight title.
"He has poured his soul into this program," Kay said. "For us we trust him like we would trust any player out there. He's earned it. I think when you have earned it like he has, you appreciate it a little bit more."
HIGHLIGHT: @NSNationFB RB @rj_hagan05 with another rushing touchdown for the Mustangs #txhsfb #UILState #UILonFOX @NSSH_Mustangs
Mustangs up 24-17 with 4:53 and counting left in the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/35Z6ZF0fEG
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) December 21, 2019
