Jay Compton|Daily News Pineville quarterback Jamie Roan signed to play football at the University of Pikeville on Thursday. Seated, from left, are his sister Lindsey Roan, father Robert Roan, Jamie, mother Michele Roan, and brother Jacob Roan. Standing are grandmother Geri Roan, PHS assistant coach Matt Shafer, PHS football coach Bart Elam, Pikeville coach Dudley Hilton, PHS assitant Chris Murphy, grandmother Pat Mason and grandfather Don Mason.

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Pineville quarterback Jamie Roan has signed to continue his football career at the University of Pikeville.

“It feels awesome. It just shows that all my hard work with coach Elam learning to be a great quarterback and all the camps I went to last summer paid off,” Roan said. “It’s been a big part of my life and now I’m ready to put a whole lot more time into it. I’m excited to get going.”

Roan was a three-year starter for the Mountain Lions and helped lead the team to two playoffs wins in 2010 and 2012. It had been over 30 years since Pineville had won a playoff game before that 2010 season.

As a senior, Roan completed 102-of-181 passes for 1703 yards and 23 touchdowns.

“I’m just so proud of him like we are with all the kids that sign. Jamie started a heck of a lot of games for us at Pineville and we hate to see him leave, but we’re excited that he’s taking the next step,” Pineville head coach Bart Elam said. “It couldn’t happen to a better kid and we really have confidence that he’s going to do really good at the next level. We know he’s going to work his tail off at the very least.”

UPike coach Dudley Hilton said he recruited Roan to compete at the quarterback position.

“That’s what he’s played and that’s what he knows. He knows he’s got his work cut out for him, but he’s the type of young man that has never been afraid of competition. With that attitude, he’ll be okay and he’s a good enough athlete that he can do it,” said Hilton. “Jamie’s always been a hard worker and we’re wanting players that know how to work hard.”

Roan said the family atmosphere at Pikeville was especially appealing to him.

“Coach Hilton gave me a great deal when I went up there. It’s kind of like Pineville, it’s a small city and everything’s in walking distance. It’s a great school and it seems like it would be a fun place to be,” he said.

Roan will be an Art major at UPike and plans to become an architect.

“They don’t have architecture, but they do have an art program and that’s where I’d have to start anyway. So it’s a good opportunity for me to get started on my education and still play football.”

Jamie is the son of Robert and Michele Roan.

“I’d like to thank the Lord, first of all, and all my family for pushing me; my coaches, all my friends, I could go on for days thanking everybody,” he said. “I’m just excited to have the opportunity to play college football.”