This year’s seniors had a lot to prove

Kent Bush
The Express-Star

CHICKASHA November 02, 2006 12:44 pm

— Some called them the worst class at CHS.
One win each year for three years as junior high players led people to question this year’s senior class.
Friday will mark the final regular season game for the 13 Fightin’ Chick seniors.
They will have made the playoffs twice in three years and will most likely finish third in their district with Guthrie waiting for them when the playoffs begin next week.
One senior leader, Tim Skitt, said he thinks the difference between the teams who only managed one win a year and this year’s Fightin’ Chicks is experience.
“We grew up. People said we were the worst, we can’t play,” Skitt said. “We felt like we had something to prove.”
Skitt said that need to prove themselves motivated the players in practices and summer pride workouts.
Jeremy Leatherwood said he knew the team would make the playoffs when this season began.
“All of us really came together,” Leatherwood said. “I knew we were going to get there. Now we are in the playoffs and we have a chance to make some noise.”
Both of these players know what it means to put the team first.
As sophomores, each played a key role as a skill player and defender. Skitt played fullback and linebacker and had a great sophomore season. Leatherwood was noticed for his impressive catches at tight end and his skills at defensive end.
As juniors, all that changed. The team needed them to play new positions.
Both were asked to step out of the limelight - where players score touchdowns and get recognition for everything they do - and step into the trenches where players crash into each other on every play to help the team in relative anonymity.
Both accepted the change and did what they had to do to help the team.
“Neither of us was too happy about it when coach first asked us to move to the line last year,” Skitt said. “But whatever Coach (Steve) Chard needs us to do, we’ll do.”
Skitt moved back off the line this year and even had a 54-yard touchdown run to put Altus away in a key district game.
Leatherwood still plays a lot of tackle and wears the No. 55 jersey he picked up last season. But last week against Duncan, Leatherwood donned his No. 11 jersey from his sophomore year because the coaches wanted to use him as a tight end in a few offensive formations. By the end of the game, he was back into No. 55 and back onto the line.
And wearing his No. 55 jersey, Leatherwood made a play that defines this year’s seniors. It wasn’t a play that required remarkable talent or ability. Effort is the name of their seniors’ game.
As Wyatt Kinnamon’s punt bounced toward the end zone for a touchback, Leatherwood chased down the ball and flung his body toward it. He downed the ball on the one-foot line. This play of great hustle led to a safety on Duncan’s first offensive attempt which got the Fightin’ Chicks the ball back and a chance to seal the game.
“We have a bunch of great memories,” Skitt said. “From summer pride to the end of the season, these guys are your family. We want to make plays for the guy sitting next to us in the locker room.”
Leatherwood has fond memories, as well - and he isn’t ready to say these are his last memories as a member of the CHS football program.
“I’d like to come back here and coach like Coach (Jerry Don) Bray,” Leatherwood said. “It is special to be a Fightin’ Chick and be part of this program.”
Fans are asked to show up early Friday night to honor the 13 seniors form this year’s Fightin Chicks and the seniors from other fall programs as well. These kids have worked hard and represented Chickasha well and they deserve the recognition.