He was a star quarterback at the high school and collegiate levels. Fred Ray is now starting to script a success story as a prep grid coach.

Ray enjoyed a stellar career for Dave Bruney at Martins Ferry. His superb play proved a springboard for a scholarship to Ohio University.

Ray was a standout quarterback for the Bobcats and still ranks in the top 10 in several Ohio passing categories.

The Buckeye born and bred star is now enjoying football success in the Bluegrass State. Ray is in his second season as head coach at Fairview High School in Ashland, Ky.

The school is located across the Ohio River from Ironton and competes in the Eastern Kentucky Conference. The Eagles went 7-5 in Ray’s rookie season and made the state playoffs.

Ray guided his charges past Lexington Christian, 50-34, this past week, improving to 4-2. Fairview will take on a Buckeye State foe Friday, facing Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant.

“Last year, we had a young and inexperienced group. They really improved as the season went on,” the soft-spoken Ray said. “Making the playoffs was a nice achievement.

“With a an experienced group coming back, I beefed up the schedule this season to help prepare us for the playoffs. We traveled to Cincinnati and played a strong Division V school in Maderia. Even though we lost (29-20), we played well and it should benefit us down the road.”

The Eagles’ other blemish came at the hands of Lawrence (Ky.), a Class AAA school. Fairview competes in Class A, the state’s smallest division. The team boasts a roster of 38 players.

“This year is playing out expected. We are beginning to hit our stride. I am pleased with our progress,” Ray said. “Our goal is to make a deep playoff run.”

Being hands-on with football in both states, Ray sees notable differences.

“Kentucky football is not as good as Ohio football. Ohio Valley football is much more physical,” he said. “I bring an Ohio mindset to my team. We are becoming more physical and developing an Ohio Valley mindset.”

Ray was on the Fairview staff as offensive coordinator from 2009-12 and helped lead the school to its first appearance in the Kentucky state championship game, which was held in Bowling Green.

Ray subsequently left Fairview for a teaching and assistant coaching position at River Valley High School in Bidwell, Ohio. He worked under Newcomerstown graduate and Bellaire native Jared Sparling.

Ray cut his coaching teeth as an assistant to Bruney in 2007.

“Becoming a head coach brings with it much more responsibility. You have to wear many hats,” Ray said. “First and foremost, you must be a leader. I hope to lead this team to a state title.

“You never know where football may take you. It may take me back to Ohio or the college level. Right now, I really enjoy coaching at Fairview.”

Ray, 35, graduated from Martins Ferry in 1999, after guiding the Purple Riders to 8-2 and 10-1 records his final two seasons, the latter team becoming Ferry’s first squad to qualify for the state playoffs.

The Purple Riders ran into a Youngstown Ursuline juggernaut in Week 11 at Harding Stadium. Ferry featured such talent as Chad Brinker, Tony Collette, Craig Bruney, Adam Zann, George Shreve, Donnie Cash, R.J. Vavrock and Nick Yourkovich.

BUBBA’S BITS

Fifty years ago this past summer, an all-star baseball team from Bellaire came within one victory of gaining a berth in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. The squad advanced to the regional tournament in Bedford, Mass., where it won several games. The team featured Ed Burgy, who later became a sixth-round draft pick of the New York Mets. The team is holding a reunion Oct. 10 at Undo’s in St. Clairsville. It is an event I look forward to covering.

Ohio State product James Laurinaitis became the leading tackler in St. Louis Rams history in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. He passed NFL Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen.

I got my first look at Harrison Central football last Friday. Coach Justin Kropka’s unbeaten Huskies pack a potent punch. Running back Travis Stenson is outstanding.

Nook Appolloni was a staunch Martins Ferry High supporter. His wife, Kim, is the Purple Riders athletics director, while their son, Emilio, is a football and basketball player for the school. Nook died Sunday. The Martins Ferry National Honor Society is holding a benefit spaghetti dinner and auction Sunday from noon-5 p.m. at the high school. Proceeds will go to the Appolloni family.

Brooke has a chance to stamp itself as a football program to be reckoned with once again when it takes on 4-1 Indian Creek on Friday night. Coming off an impressive victory against Wheeling Park and boasting a 3-2 mark against a brutal early season schedule, the Bruins can serve notice they are returning to past glory should they prevail against the Redskins.

Bubba Kapral may be reached via email at: bkapral@timesleaderonline.com