Jeffrey Foote is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover ALA-Queen Creek for AZPreps365.com

QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. – When Icey McGowan transferred to the ALA-Queen Creek Patriots this spring, he didn't know the plays. He didn't need to.

“On the first day, they let me just show my talent,” McGowan said. “They just made it super easy. They cared for me. On the first day, nobody was scared about me taking a spot. They treated me like they treat everyone else.”

McGowan transferred to the Patriots from the Chandler Wolves in the offseason because he saw a program that he felt was building something. When he saw teammates like Talan Scott racking up college offers and Bryce Devlin committed to Air Force, he realized ALA-Queen Creek is a place where players get recruited, and somewhere he could make an impact.

“I want to be a part of a program that I could build and help,” he said.

Although he said the transition wasn't easy, McGowan arrived late, and quickly had to adjust to a new school, a new system and a new environment. But, head coach of the team Rich Edwards said he came in the right way.

“Icey came in with humility and the willingness to work hard,” Edwards said. “He is fast and runs good routes.”

Icey’s humility is what stands out. As a first-year varsity player, McGowan has gone past just running the plays and now has a great understanding of them.

“He has studied the why of things instead of just doing it,” Edwards said. “He’s understanding the why and how it matters to the entire team.”

On the field, McGowan is a consistent threat with 257 receiving yards this season, including 115 against his former team, Chandler. 

“He brings more explosiveness," Patriots quarterback Cody Lalama said. "He's the fastest guy in the state. His hands are so dangerous. He's just explosive.”

This quick chemistry wasn’t easy, as McGowan came late in the spring, but Lalama said they began clicking more and more as the season went on. Off the field, Lalama says McGowan is quieter, a guy who roams around and makes great jokes.

“He’s just chill,” Lalama said.

Though there is more to McGowan than football. He's a multidimensional kid who also has interest in photography, writing and anime. This side of him his father has watched develop along with his game.

“Icey is a multifaceted kid with several interests outside of football,” his father, Ice McGowan, said. "But it's safe to say football is number one.”

It's the balance of the creative kid off the field with the electric playmaker on it that his father has loved watching evolve. Seeing his son make the transfer and change was exciting, although what’s meant more so far has been watching him lead.

“He's taking on a leadership role with his new team,” his father said. "It's been really cool to see him lead.”

His dad has hopes to see him close to season strong and potentially get to use his playmaking to fuel a playoff run for the Patriots.

For Icey, the decision to leave Chandler came down to opportunity. That is exactly what he found at ALA-Queen Creek. A program where he could build, lead and let his talents speak for itself.