Coy Fagan of Martinsburg has been named a Kennedy Award recipient by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. (Photo: Rick Kozlowski)
MARTINSBURG — Coy Fagan saw, saw and conquered.
When Fagan stood shotgun as Martinsburg’s quarterback late in the tied state Class AAAA championship game, the senior let his imagination run wild and all he could see was the vast field stretching out in front of him.
The team allowed just three points per game and didn’t have a single defender who posted nine shutouts in 14 games.
Fagan’s gaze into some kind of personal crystal ball proved correct.
After faking a handoff after taking the snap, he took a few quick hop steps and danced back into the real opener, racing 80 yards for the resulting game-clinching touchdown. . The Bulldogs defeated Spring Mills 24-17. First Quad A final. The Bulldogs won the championship for the second year in a row and for the 11th time since 2010.
The play was emblematic of the season Fagan produced.
Just as he ran away from the Cardinals, he ran away from many opposing players and teams during a season in which Martinsburg won all 14 games on the field, including one where he was arrested in the illegal player’s office. It was done.
For all his success, including great improvisation in the passing game, the 6-foot, 175-pound senior was named a Kennedy Award winner, the Mountain State’s top player, by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
This honor is the crowning jewel for Fagan, who has earned similar honors from other organizations.
“I really appreciate all the awards.” Fagan said. “They all mean a lot and show how much effort I have put in.
“This is not just an award for me. It means a lot to my coaches, teammates and everyone who helped me. It really means a lot.”
In the title game at College of Charleston Stadium, Fagan sprinted 80 yards to the end zone and finished the game with 29 carries for 345 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on a pass as the Bulldogs defeated their fellow Eastern Panhandle Athletic Conference neighbors in Berkeley County.
Fagan finished the season with 1,848 yards rushing and an average of 9.63 yards per carry. As for passing, he completed 133 of 211 attempts for 2,264 yards.
Fagan scored 61 touchdowns between running and passing.
61 TDs.
“That’s crazy.” Fagan said. “It far exceeded my goals and expectations.
“There’s no question he’s better than anyone we’ve ever had at Martinsburg.” Martinsburg coach David Walker said.
People speak positively about Fagan, both as a player and as a person, and consider him to be as great a person as he is a player.
“He’s a special player.” Walker said. “He was someone that our players expected, someone who worked extremely hard and put himself in a position to have his season.
“I’m just proud of him.”
Fagan primarily played running back in 2023, earning second-team all-state honors.
His running ability was on display in the winning touchdown in the state final.
He too could feel the touchdown coming.
“If you execute that play correctly, that’s what’s going to come out of it.” Fagan said. “The linemen and receivers blocked well.
“If you run that play right, this is what happens.”
He watched everything happen in his mind’s eye after Spring Mills tied it at 17 on quarterback Max Anderson’s second TD run with 1:58 left.
“The game was tied, so we knew we had to score on this drive.” Fagan said. “As soon as I got the play, I said, ‘No more.’
“I can imagine myself before playing.”
He also ran 58 yards for a touchdown, but lost two fumbles on long runs, including one just before the goal line. He also threw an interception.
However, Fagan showed another side of his athleticism by throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Boston Todd.
He had to corral the snap from center and push it back over his head to the 20-yard line. He threw a pass and Todd brought it in for the lead.
“He has a great ability to make things happen.” Walker said jokingly. “I don’t know if he’s that good or just lucky.”
Fagan, who said he had a bit of luck, wasn’t the first to become a magician out of bad luck.
He scored one goal against Morgantown.
Then, on the game-winning touchdown play on video, a screen pass was set up to the left, forcing Fagan to chase the snap to the right. After bringing the football and nearly being mauled by a Washington defender, Fagan effectively shot put the ball to running back Nicholas Buskey. Buskey received a pass, followed his blocker and scored a touchdown from midfield.
“It was a little more animated.” Fagan said. “When I heard him say my name, I looked at him.”
Fagan rated the pass to Todd as the best thing to come out of nothing, based on the importance of the touchdown and how effortlessly Todd made the catch.
“It was amazing.” Fagan said.
He had a great season and attracted recruiting interest from various departments.
Fagan has been scouted as a quarterback, which is his preference.
“I think Koi can do whatever it wants.” Walker said. “He’s ready mentally and physically.”
For Fagan, he was happy to win another state championship and play a key role.
“I was really happy to earn the captaincy for the All-State team, and it was cool to see (teammate) Ace (Flores) also become the All-State captain on defense.” he said.
In Kennedy’s race, the two quarterbacks finished second and third, respectively, behind Fagan. Noah Velaitambi of the Hurricanes and Dane Hatfield of Herbert Hoover.
Interestingly, even though Martinsburg is a powerhouse with 11 state championships since 2010, Fagan won three straight from 2002 to 2004 with Brandon Barrett winning two and Nate Sours winning one. It was the first Kennedy victory for the Bulldogs since.
Mr. Fagan will be honored at the 78th Annual Victory Awards Dinner on May 4 at the Bridgeport Conference Center.
