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Roy • Quarterback Tyler Skidmore has been the face of resurgence for a Roy football program that spent more than three decades lost in futility. Now in his fourth season starting behind center, Skidmore's development has profited from an additional year of maturation and instruction from Roy coach Fred Fernandes.

He's improved in virtually every statistical category while leading the Royals to their first appearance in the state championship since 1981, a feat that may not have been possible if he elected to pursue another route at crossroads in the summer of 2011.

Skidmore began attending optional 6 a.m. workouts entering his ninth grade year to familiarize himself with then-newly hired Fernandes.

"The funny thing, at first, I don't think they knew who I was — they didn't know that I played quarterback," Skidmore said. "Coach Franks, our offensive line coach, had me doing some lineman drills. It was a little bit weird for me."

Fernandes eventually noticed the young talent following several impressive performances during 7-on-7 camps. And when the incumbent senior starter at quarterback injured his shoulder, he approached Skidmore with a proposition.

"He asked me, 'How would you like to come up and play high school football?'" Skidmore said. "I didn't say yes. I just said, 'I'll think about it.' I was really shocked."

Most freshmen wouldn't hesitate at the opportunity. Skidmore did.

In 2010, Roy was outscored 427-50 during its 1-9 campaign — an improvement from 0-10 the previous season. That same year, Skidmore had guided Sand Ridge Junior High to the semifinals. Winning a state championship in ninth grade was within reach. Winning a state title in high school was nothing more than childhood fantasy.

"When I was younger, I always had a dream of winning a state championship. We'd always talk about it as kids," Skidmore said. "Once I got old enough to actually think about how hard it would be, I was thinking, 'Wow. That dream is so far-fetched.' It was fun to talk about, but I couldn't see that coming true."

Skidmore mulled over the decision and reluctantly declined the offer. He wanted to play with his friends. He wanted to win. The subject was squashed until Roy advanced to the semifinals in the last 7-on-7 of the summer. Fernandes knew he needed to make another attempt. He handed Skidmore the number of Alex Kuresa, a former four-year starting quarterback who broke numerous records at Mountain Crest.

"I told him if I wouldn't have played as a freshman, I don't think I would have become the player I did," Kuresa said. "You have the opportunity to play against the highest level in high school football or to play with eighth graders. Which one is going to make you better? It is one more year of experience and repetitions. When you start at that level for three years, it all slows down your senior year, and that experience will allow you to be dominant."

The message resonated, and Skidmore traded immediate success for the hope and possibility of future achievement.

"When I did that, the ninth graders at the time — all the seniors now on the team — they were pretty upset with me," Skidmore said. "Now they're happier because I got better from it. When I look back at it now, I'm really happy that I came up."

Skidmore has blossomed with each season. He is able to calmly move through his progressions and read the defensive coverage, unusual for the typical high school quarterback. He puts in the work. When the Royals face Timpview for the 4A title at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, he already will have memorized the 25-page scouting report.

"I know every single person's assignment on every single play that we have offensively," said Skidmore, who maintains a 3.94 cumulative GPA in advanced placement courses. "Learning good study habits in school really helps on the football field. You could be the best quarterback on the planet and have all the skills and tangibles, but if you don't have good study habits and don't watch film, then you really don't know what you're going up against."

A high school career that started early is nearing its end. After 41 starts and 28 wins — two more than Roy accumulated from 2001-10 — all that remains for Skidmore is one game he never thought was probable.

"Now here we are. It's crazy to think about. We're just lucky to have had these coaches for four years and we're able to represent Roy in a winning matter," Skidmore said. "I hope now that we've made it this far, and the game goes as planned, and we win on Friday — then I think we'll have a definite mark on what others think about Roy High football."

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

4A football championship

O Timpview vs. Roy

Friday, 6:30 p.m. At Rice-Eccles Stadium

TV • KJZZ