Getting knocked down is part of football. Broken Bow High School junior Blake Skelton believes what matters is choosing to get back up.
“In football especially, you’re going to get knocked down, but you have to get back up,” Skelton said. “You can’t just lay down and quit when it gets hard. Life is exactly like that.”
He connects that lesson to Proverbs 24:16 and its message that the righteous may fall seven times but rise again.
Skelton competes in football, basketball and baseball, but faith remains the foundation of his life. When asked what accomplishment or memory means most, he did not point to a game or award.
“My favorite memory is Christ on the cross and His sacrifice for us,” Skelton said. “Repenting and submitting in faith to Him has been the most important moment in my life.”
His guiding advice comes from 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, calling him to stand firm, be strong and act in love.
Skelton lives those words through student council, school clubs and the 3N1 youth group at Trinity Baptist Church in Idabel. He also values teammates who hold him accountable, especially fellow junior Kolson Goss.
“Kolson Goss has made a huge impact in my life just by the way he grinds and holds me accountable,” Skelton said. “Just one of those teammates that is grinding but waiting their turn humbly.”
His aunt, who taught him in fifth grade, remains his favorite teacher because she taught him life skills, resourcefulness and the importance of working for good grades.
Skelton’s mother and sisters have modeled toughness, grit, strength and faithfulness. His father has shown him what it means to be a man of the Lord and how to treat women. Tyson Woolsey also helps him keep perspective and “loves me well.”
“I love my hometown because I get to hunt and fish whenever I want, and the community is great because of all the fans we have at Broken Bow,” Skelton said. “This town is so supportive of the school and its athletics, and I wouldn’t be anywhere without them.”
His priorities are captured by a line from missionary C.T. Studd: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
