KU Scholar Athlete of the Month: Fred Farrier
Franklin’s Fred Farrier Is a Fast Starter
- School: Franklin County High
- GRADE: 10
- Sport: Football, track & field
- Academics: Fred has a 3.75 GPA and was Academic All State as a freshman.
- Parents: Danita & Fred
Since football is so dependent on size, it’s unusual for underclassmen to make an impact on their high school teams.
But exceptions to the rule manage to break through.
Meet one such exception – Fred Farrier, a blazing fast wide receiver and defensive back for Franklin County High.
Fred not only made the varsity as a freshman last year, he played a key role for the Flyers, catching 26 passes for 222 yards, and picking off a team-high four passes, including a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown.
He rushed for 104 yards and scored another touchdown, which added up to a significant debut season.
This year, Fred has blossomed into a star for the Flyers, who won 10 of their first 12 games, including two playoff victories in the playoffs.
Through the first seven games, Fred averaged a TD catch per game and totaled 38 receptions for 504 yards, including 62-yard and 71-yard scoring plays.
A two-way player, the 6-foot, 155-pound sophomore rarely comes off the field.
Fred is proud that he started as a freshman and one of his biggest thrills came this season against rival Anderson County when he had nine catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Bolstered by a strong freshman football season, Fred went out for track for the first time.
Guess what? He was an instant sensation. He won the Frankfort city meet in the long jump and triple jump, and placed second in the Region in the triple jump.
Not bad for a newcomer.
“I am so proud of him,” his mother Danita said. “He’s experienced a lot of success at an early age, and through it all he remains humble.
“He gets the crowd excited with a phenomenal play and just hands the ball to the ref and moves on.
“He never brags or boast. He’s very even keel. He’s a shining example of true sportsmanship.”
Fred always puts the team first. “I enjoy how it takes the whole team to make things work.
“The linemen tell you, ‘I got you. We’re gonna get you into the end zone.’ It takes everybody to make it happen.”
Fred, 16, is no slouch in the classroom either. He was a straight-A student as a freshman and Academic All State. Last year, he had a 3.75 GPA.
His goal is to earn an offer at a Division I college where he can play football and earn a degree.
More immediately, he wants to lead Franklin County to a State title and keep scoring touchdowns.
“I’m never satisfied,” he said. “I score a TD and I want another one right away.”