Gunner Pearson’s Back-to-Back Game Winners Have Roy Rolling

This article recaps a segment from The Rush's Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026 episode. Watch the full show.

Roy quarterback Gunner Pearson has walked off two straight games with his legs.

Against Northridge, Roy got a big stop on defense with about a minute and a half left and drove the field. From the 3-yard line, Pearson ran it up the middle through the three hole for the go-ahead score. A week earlier, he did it in overtime against Clearfield. A penalty on Roy's first play moved the Royals inside the 10, and Pearson punched it in up the middle.

He credited a young offensive line that has dealt with injuries but keeps getting push when it matters. From close games with Box Elder and West Field, he said the lesson is to clean up the penalties and turnovers that kill drives.

Tyler Dickson played both ways against Northridge. He had an interception, a touchdown and a big catch over the middle on the winning drive. Safety Bryton Ketcham had another interception and the game-sealing pass breakup. Riley Jeppesen "catches the ball whenever the ball is thrown to him," Pearson said, and always gets yards after the catch.

Pearson's path to quarterback took a detour. He was the sophomore quarterback at West Field before betting on himself and transferring to Roy. Under the transfer rule, he played JV quarterback for five games, then started at receiver and safety on varsity. When Roy's quarterback transferred in the offseason, Pearson moved back to QB, and he now plays both quarterback and safety.

Roy was set to face Hurricane on Wednesday after just two practices on a short week. "I think we can go out there and play good," Pearson said.