logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Honoring faith, family, friends and football
commentary, Opinion
December 5, 2024
Honoring faith, family, friends and football

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.

Treasurer honored at retirement party
A: Main, News...
Treasurer honored at retirement party
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 3, 2025
Retiring McIntosh County Treasurer Betty Whisenhunt received high praise from the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd at Whisenhunt’s retirement party Friday. “She could give courses acros...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Council approves water rate increase for city and rural users
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
July 3, 2025
A newly adopted ordinance, passed June 9 by the City Council, increases rates for all users, including those living outside city limits. This new ordinance officially raises monthly water rates for re...
this is a test
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, News...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 3, 2025
A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
this is a test
Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
A: Main, News...
Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 3, 2025
Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
this is a test
Classmates reunite after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend
A: Main, News...
Classmates reunite after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 3, 2025
Class of 1975 honor Jim Caro as 'Significant Alumni' Classmates from all over the U.S. reunited after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend. The Class of 1975 celebrated their 50th reunion by hon...
this is a test
Killing them with kindness
commentary
Killing them with kindness
July 3, 2025
What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
this is a test
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
For the Children ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
commentary
For the Children ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
By JOE DORMAN, OICA CEO 
July 3, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
this is a test
Another busy week in the district
commentary
Another busy week in the district
By REP. TIM TURNER 
July 3, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
this is a test
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
commentary
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 3, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
this is a test
News
Woman captured following foot chase
July 3, 2025
A 39-year-old Eufaula woman who had an outstanding warrant on an arson charge was arrested Wednesday, June 25, following a foot chase in a wooded area around south 7th Street in Eufaula. Tamara Dean K...
this is a test
Katy Depot Meet and Greet
News
Katy Depot Meet and Greet
July 3, 2025
Mike Key talked to his Class of 1975 and other alumni about their Significant Alumni Jim Caro at the Katy Depot Meet & Greet on Saturday.
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy