ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: TOMMY STIDHAM

Tommy Stidham

School: Chaffee

Sport: Football

Coach: Allan Horrell

Week Report: As the expression goes: it's not about the size of the dog in the fight, it's about the size of the fight in the dog. Such is the case for Stidham, a 5-foot-6, 145-pound senior running back from Chaffee. Stidham led the Red Devils to their first season-opening win in four years Friday night when he rushed 19 times for 159 yards. He also had an 80-yard run called back on a clipping penalty away from the play. Stidham plays cornerback on defense.

Coach's comments: "He's quick to the hole and he always looks for the cutback. He's a slasher. He finds the holes then cuts back against the grain. He's going to keep his legs going no matter what. There were a couple of times Friday night when we thought the whistle was going to blow and he squirted out somehow. He does a heck of a job and he's a gamer. He gives leadership by example.