It is said that determination, will, guts and pure adrenalin will help one attain goals they have set for themselves. While all these are good, there are those that go beyond the call of duty, so to speak, and reach a level of spirit that only a few can have. What makes an individual throw themselves into a fray that most certainly will get them hurt? Why does the impossible become possible with some? What makes a person, when all odds are against them, come out of a situation that leaves them exhausted and in pain remain victorious? I will tell you what it is: these type of people go beyond themselves, thinking of others and never taking credit themselves.
This football season has been a truly historic one. There are two CCHS football players that set a standard by these laws of nature: Zach Ahart and Austin Dobbins. They did what they did because of the screaming fans that came in support each week and because of their brothers on the field that were in the jungle with them at every run of the ball and every defensive down that was played, every win and every loss. However, with that being said, there has to be a defining line to cross when it comes to effort, and each one of these men crossed that line in every game they played. Zach Ahart ran his way into the CCHS history books rushing an incredible, but unofficial, 1,892 tough yards and setting the school’s single season record previously held by Jordan Lucas who had 1479 yards. He also had 24 touchdowns, three punt returns and one kickoff return for a touchdown. He also set the record for the longest punt return in school history with a 98 yard return against Roane County.
Austin Dobbins was also a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the field. Austin set two school records that will probably stand for a long time. He broke the single season tackle record held previously by Mike Kearns at 138 tackles with 187 tackles of his own. Dobbins also had the most tackles in a game with 31 against Roane County; the record was previously held by Jared Fitzwater with 26. These two men have held up the standards of what football is all about and that is to never give up, keep pounding no matter what the outcome and never place themselves above or below their teammates – just get the job done. It is said that almost everything beyond a person tells them they can’t or it’s not possible. However, everything within tells them they can, and these two proved they can. Congratulations to both Zach and Austin for this great accomplishment.