FAYETTEVILLE — For the past few years, Drew Gorton was in the worst position imaginable for a Fayetteville football player hoping to get on the field.
He was the backup to standout quarterback Brandon Allen.
Realizing that he was destined for another season of standing on the sidelines as Allen made plays, Gorton welcomed a move to wide receiver.
And in a nice twist, the 6-foot, 175-pound senior has developed into one of Allen’s favorite targets this season while catching passes across the middle and in traffic.
Simply put, Gorton picks up first downs.
“I played quarterback since eighth grade, so I kind of know where the holes are in the defense and kind of what to do,” Gorton said.
While Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said Gorton doesn’t possess the speed needed to be a deep threat, the senior has taken on the role as the team’s possession receiver. He’s coming off his most productive game of the season — seven catches for 80 yards in a 48-45 loss to Fort Smith Southside.
Gorton has helped lead Fayetteville (5-2, 2-2 7A-West Conference) downfield with his ability to run short routes, intermediate routes and routes across the middle. And because of a slew of injuries at the wide receiver position, he’s penciled in as a starter heading into today’s game against Rogers High (0-7, 0-4) in Mountie Stadium.
“Drew had a great summer in 7-on-7, caught the ball (and) did a good job running routes,” Patton said. “So we thought he’d have a big year, and he’s doing what we expected, to be honest with you. He’s an athlete.”
Initially, Gorton was splitting time with senior Demetrius Dean at the “Y” receiver position. But injuries to three Fayetteville wide receivers — including a pair of broken collarbones for Troy Underwood and Nathan Varady — have led to a new role for Gorton.
He’ll make his first start tonight at the “A” receiver position. And after serving as Allen’s backup quarterback since the eighth grade, Gorton admitted he has had to adjust lately to the idea of being a starting receiver.
“He’s kind of become Brandon’s favorite, and so we have a lot of confidence in him,” Patton said.
However, the days of Gorton throwing the football aren’t entirely in the past.
In Fayetteville’s 44-14 rout at Springdale High on Oct. 1, Gorton took a pitch, looked to his right and lobbed a 33-yard touchdown strike to Chris Smith on a trick play in the third quarter.
“I haven’t thrown in awhile, so I was kind of nervous. Right when I threw it, I couldn’t really see,” Gorton said. “But I knew Chris would catch it; he’s got pretty good hands.”
Gorton’s hands aren’t bad, either.
Today’s Ticket
Fayetteville at Rogers High
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Mountie Stadium, Rogers
ON THE AIR: Cox Cable Channel 14; KURM-AM 790
RECORDS: Rogers High Mounties, 0-7, 0-4 7A-West Conference; Fayetteville Purple Bulldogs, 5-2, 2-2.
HOOTEN’S RANKING: Rogers is No. 16 in Class 7A; Fayetteville is No. 6.
HOOTEN’S LINE: Fayetteville by 35