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Alex Kennedy and Richard Croslin were the remaining two seniors on the 2023 team PHOTO BY CHARLINDA OGLE
In the midst of a challenging and often frustrating football season, the Cordell High School team showcased a remarkable display of resilience and character. Despite a season filled with losses and setbacks, the team’s two senior stars, Alex Kennedy, number 55, and Richard Croslin, number 33, have led their teammates with unwavering courage and determination, culminating in a heartwarming display of strength during the last quarter of their final game.
The 2023 football season has not been kind to Cordell. With a string of injuries, defeats, and a dwindling morale, it would have been easy for the team to lose hope. However, Kennedy and Croslin, the heart and soul of the team, refused to let adversity define their senior year.
Throughout the season, these two young men epitomized true leadership. On and off the field, they inspired their fellow players with grit and dedication.
As the final game of the season approached, the odds were stacked against Cordell. Their opponent, Snyder High School, seemed to be a challenge, considering Snyder has played eight man football for years and Cordell moved from eleven man for this particular game. However, Cordell, buoyed by the unwavering resolve of their senior captains, were determined to finish the season on a high note.
The game started in a familiar fashion, with Snyder taking an early lead. But it was during the last quarter that the true magic happened. Down 40-0, the team pushed through and gave it their all, even in the face of imminent defeat.
With fierce determination and a fighting spirit, Kennedy scored the first touchdown in the final quarter. Quarterback Eathan Fenning, number 4, made a pass to Croslin for a successful 2 point conversion. With 4:26 left in the game, Cordell was on the 40 yard line. Kennedy got the ball and made a beautiful pass to Croslin who took it all the way to the endzone ending the game 48-14.
It was a small victory on the scoreboard, but a massive victory in terms of character. The entire team celebrated those touchdowns as if they had just won the championship, knowing they had displayed immense courage and perseverance.
Kennedy and Croslin, as the two senior leaders, stood tall during their final moments on the field. Their leadership had been the guiding light for the team throughout the challenging season, and their attitude inspired their team’s valiant last-quarter efforts.
In the face of adversity and a losing season, Cordell High School’s football team showcased that success is not just about wins and losses but about the strength of character and the ability to persevere. Kennedy and Croslin embodied these qualities. Once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil.