Having just had a week of celebrating Thanksiving, family, friends, high school football semináis and even some crazy college football overtime (Georgia vs Georgia Techs 8 OTs was insane), I think we should reflect on the goodness of all of this in our lives. By honoring our faith, family, friends, and even football, we stop to realize how much we have to be grateful for in every season of our lives.
This fall season not only has been a season of natural beauty and monumental moments captured on film and in our memories forever, but its also been a season of change, where we have watched our Checotah “boys of fall” grow as a team, not just on the field, but in everyday life.
Parents, coaches, teachers and mentors have pushed these boys to be their best with every ounce of their heart, blood, sweat and even tears. They have worked hard and trusted in all the rest that God Himself knows the plans He has for their futures and what is best.
We have been grateful that these weekend warriors have worn their Wildcat jerseys with pride in their little town and their community has cheered them on, even in the wind and rain on their senior night. They have slung mud, dirt and grass and maybe even talked a little trash to the opposing teams, as they left all they had on the field and fueled our little towns fire of faith in family, friends and high school football.
Though this season too must pass to bring the next season into perspective, I applaud the persistence this Checotah football team has shown on the field this year against its rivalries. Your strength in spirit, mind and body has grown over this season in your life, and your faith in God and each other has taught you valuable lessons that will lead you into a fruitful future. I am proud of your athletic accomplishments but even prouder of your academic success that will push you from being the “boys of fall” to becoming the men of integrity that will one day drive your communities wherever God leads you to serve.
Yes, these disciplines you have learned on and off the field have taught you many life lessons of servitude and leadership, of adversity and opportunity, and of individuality and teamwork through winning and sometimes even losing.
Yet in every huddle, in every game, your determination and dedication has driven not just you, but all of us forward. From the tackles to the touchdowns, you have shown tremendous teamwork and this will be a part of your lasting legacy and story to tell your children and grandchildren in generations to come.
So I pray that the spotlights of these past Friday nights will forever be engraved upon your hearts and minds. I hope the friendships you have made in high school follow you into adulthood and that your loyalty to those friends and family is admirable all your days.
May you also understand the more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning. So when you measure your success, don’t only count the victories, but also the lessons learned in humility along the way.
Above all, always express gratitude for the love and support you have received during this unforgettable season in your life when you honored your faith, family, friends and football.
