By: GREG HIGGINS
eParisExtra.com
North Lamar running back Chance Kelley
By this time in their academic life, most Seniors are ready to graduate and move on to the next phase of life. Chance Kelley is not one of these Seniors. When asked if he was excited about being a Senior, he says “no” without any hesitation, because he knows that means no more high school football. Who can blame Kelley, though? The North Lamar running back has been quite impressive this season. In six games so far this season, Chance has scored 11 of the Panthers’ 22 touchdowns. He has accounted for 982 of the 1530 rushing yards the Panthers have accumulated.
Chance didn’t always run the ball. He started out playing football in seventh grade as a guard. During his eighth grade year, he was moved to running back. The next several years would catch Kelley playing on the B team, or being the backup running back for the Panthers. It wasn’t until his Junior year, that he would be given the chance to be a starter.
Chance Kelley was given his first start on the Varsity team against the cross town rival Paris High Wildcats. Kelley would make the most of the opportunity as well. He rushed for 139 yards and had two touchdowns in the game. Even though the Panthers lost that game, Chance would emerge as someone head coach Tommy Felty could rely on.
One of the things that is unique about Kelley is that he understands the importance of moving the chains in football. When asked about his approach, he responded, “[I] square up and get up field. Look for the hole and get up field.” He then proceeds to tell eParisExtra, “Four or five yards a carry isn’t bad.” He knows that averaging those kinds of yards per carry will help get first downs and ultimately allow his team to score, and that’s what it’s all about, right? Just ask Chance. He’ll tell you that his favorite part of the game is “lighting up the scoreboard.”
Chance loves the game of football. He’s hoping to get into college somewhere in which he can continue to play football. After college, he hopes to get into coaching. “I like football. I like to be around it. I like the energy,” he explains.
After the interview, Chance told me he hopes he continues to keep giving me something to write about. A couple days later, he did just that as he went out and had the best game of his young career. Against Pittsburg, Chance carried the ball 40 times for 285 yards and had three touchdowns. With games like that, opponents will have their hands full as they try to keep him from “lighting up the scoreboard” against them.
Greg Higgins - Sports Editor Greg has lived in the Paris area for most of his life and is a huge sports fan. He loves talking about sports and writing about it. Greg has been a part of eparisextra since the beginning of 2012. He is also very active in his church. When he's not writing about or watching sports, you can find him working out or hanging out with his wife.
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