HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Jake Rollyson plays big role for Rural Retreat (copy)
Rural Retreat's Jake Rollyson takes a handoff from Chaz Penwright during a 2024 game against Holston.
Rural Retreat's Jake Rollyson.
Check Rural Retreat High School’s football roster and you’ll see that senior Jake Rollyson is listed at 5-foot-9 and 160-pounds.
Put the pigskin in his possession and let him go to work and his impact on the game looms large.
“The Rollyson kid plays much bigger than he really is,” said Eastern Montgomery coach Jordan Stewart. “Very quick and shifty but never lets his feet stop churning. He finishes every play with a good forward lean and has no problem throwing it up between the tackles to get the short yardage. Just an all-around complete running back who fits the Rural Retreat offense very well.”
Stewart should know as Rollyson put on a show last week in Rural Retreat’s 51-20 win over the Mustangs.
He had five catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 162 yards on 15 carries with a TD.
Talented tailback.
Slick slot receiver.
Dangerous punt and kickoff returner.
Skilled safety.
Jake Rollyson is all of these things.
“He is one of the most talented players I have coached,” said Rural Retreat coach Quinton Hensley. “Very twitchy in the open field, has excellent vision and cutting abilities. Also, has outstanding hands. We’ve got to get him the ball as much as possible and we’re counting on him to lead us on and off the field.”
He showcased his speed back in the spring as a member of Rural Retreat's 4x100 relay team that won gold at the VHSL Class 1 state track and field meet.
Rollyson has eight touchdowns this season – four receiving, three rushing and one via a punt return – in wins over Fort Chiswell and Eastern Montgomery.
Does he enjoy taking handoffs or catching passes more?
“I don’t really prefer one over the other,” Rollyson said. “I just know whenever the ball gets put in my hands, I’m going to make the most of it and execute.”
Rollyson will need to produce on Thursday night as Rural Retreat (2-0) faces the Eastside Spartans (0-1) at Carl McConnell Stadium in Coeburn.
The Indians lost twice to Eastside last season, suffering a 36-35 loss in the regular season when the Spartans scored and got a two-point conversion with three seconds remaining and falling 50-20 in the playoffs.
“We had them where we wanted and just couldn’t quite finish the job in the first game,” Rollyson said. “In the second game, we were plagued by injuries and did a lot of the little things wrong.”
Rollyson had a touchdown catch in the first clash against Eastside in 2025 but was limited to 25 total yards in the rematch.
Don’t think the Spartans are overlooking him, however.
“Twenty-two [Rollyson] is legit,” said Eastside coach Mike Rhodes. “He is fast and proved that in track. ... If the ball is in his hands, there is potential for them to score from anywhere on the field.”
Quarterback Brody Allen has been ultra efficient and is a dual threat, while tight end/defensive end Eli Atwell and wide receiver/defensive back Dawson Williams are also capable of doing big things.
Rollyson enjoys every moment on the field with those guys.
“Football has always been my passion since I was 5 years old and started understanding the game with my dad [John] playing a big role on helping me and teaching me the basics,” Rollyson said. “I took off from there.”
