SHAMROCK, Texas (KFDA) - For the first time in five decades, Shamrock football has had four straight years without a losing regular season.
But, it all starts with a leader: someone to take charge and mentor young men in both the game and life.
Nate Skelton has done that and more in just two years.
He says football just means more in the Texas Panhandle, especially for the Shamrock Fighting Irish.
“I think the biggest thing is that they’re prideful,” Skelton said. “A lot of these kids...this is what they have. It’s either you’re doing this or you’re going to work on a ranch somewhere, and right now, they’re high school kids and they want to enjoy the four years they have and they want to play hard for the community they’re in.”
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In just a little over a month, the Irish will be under the Friday night lights once again, something incoming senior Joshua Whittington says is a feeling like no other.
“I love being out there...under the lights with the fans in the stands cheering,” said Whittington. “Then, just catching the football and taking it all the way to the [endzone], man, it’s the best feeling in the entire world. I wouldn’t want it anyway else.”
His teammate, also rising senior Layton Gilbert, knows the bond this team has will lead them to victory.
“We’re more of a family here,” Gilbert said. “We’re all super close. I’ve grown up with all of the dudes here. We’re just a lot closer than I think most schools.”
Skelton says this team is young, but capable of getting things done.
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“We have a lot of kids coming back that people don’t know about and I’m excited about those kids and letting them kind of take the spotlight,” he said.
It’s been 12 years since the Shamrock last brought home a gold ball for winning a playoff game in football, but this year’s group is motivated, putting the “fight” in “Fighting Irish” every single day.
“Every game they go out, whether we win by 50 or lose by 50, we’re going to play as hard as we can and I think that’s just the Shamrock tradition...these kids are going to play hard,” Skelton said.
It goes beyond the field. His players describe him as a role model.
“Not only is he a good coach, but he’s a good Christian man, and that’s what we need,” said Gilbert. “I think he’s helped us in more ways than just learning football, but [also] learning about life.”
The Fighting Irish have their first non-district game on Aug. 29 versus Sundown at a neutral site in Tulia.
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