Ivy League school comes calling for Conway wideout

Eventually, Darren Stanley knew a school would take a chance on him.

But even he was in for a surprise last week when Dartmouth came knocking on his door.

Located in Hanover, N.H., the Ivy League school made an official offer to the Conway senior wide receiver last week. The Big Green represent the first offer seeking Stanley’s services.

“While surprised, I was pretty happy, honestly. My parents were shocked that a school in New Hampshire knew about me,” Stanley said. “My parents (Darryl and Tekeshe Stanley) are the main reason I am where I am today. It is a great opportunity to be offered by an Ivy League school. Those type of offers don't come every day.”

Last season, Stanley was one of Conway's top receivers with 579 yards and seven touchdowns.

“(Stanley) was a key contributor for us last year, and we are hoping he can do much of the same for us this upcoming year,” Conway head football coach Chuck Jordan said.

While his work on the field is important, he also fully understands the numbers he posts in the classroom are equally — if not more — important.

Coming into his final year of high school, Stanley has a 3.7 GPA and managed to earn a score of 21 on the ACT. Always seeking new goals, the Conway standout plans to take the test again in an effort to post a higher score.

“I believe, just as those at Dartmouth think, it would be good for me to add a few points,” he said. “But the main thing though is that I'm ready and prepared for what is thrown my way, whether it be in the classroom or on the football field.”

After a season in which the Conway football team posted nine wins, expectations are relatively high for the Tigers coming into the 2016 campaign. Stanley is quick to mention, however, that good things are not accomplished without hard work.

“This offseason, we’ve tried to get better as a team. We’ve taken part in weight training, receivers have run routes with (quarterback Peyton Derrick) to build familiarity with him,” he said. “The team has also went to its share of camps and 7-on-7 passing leagues.

“But success will come for us if we continue to keep the team first; being selfless makes any team better. A championship is the goal we are hoping to accomplish, and all the individual accomplishments and accolades will come should we do well as a team.”

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 5:54 PM with the headline "Ivy League school comes calling for Conway wideout."