Del City High School junior football player Charvis Kelley always saw the vision for this year’s Eagles team.
The Eagles have gone a perfect 13-0 and will play Carl Albert for the 5A state championship at 1 p.m. Saturday at Chad Richison Stadium. Asked if he thought this would be the Eagles’ destiny from the beginning of the year, Kelly said “honestly, yes.”
“I always thought it, but for sure after Coweta,” Kelley said. “That game, I had moved positions and then executed, then it really kicked in we could.”
That night, Del City drubbed Coweta 43-14. Through the regular season, the Eagles defense only allowed 59 points (for comparison, the offense scored 60 points or more three times this season). Kelley has been a big part of what has appeared to be an unstoppable football team so far.
“It’s been fun, especially knowing we’re making history at our school,” Kelley said.
Del City hasn’t won a football state title since 1976. For Kelley, personally, football hasn’t always been a cake walk. Saturday will provide an opportunity for him to reach milestones personally and for his school.
“I started [playing football] when I was 4. . . Middle school was kinda rocky because Covid and injury,” Kelley said.
Kelley fractured his growth plates in the eighth grade then, in the ninth grade, struggled to adjust to a new position. His sophomore year, he moved back to defensive end and cut his teeth at the varsity level.
“Now that I’m in high school, I truly know what it means to put in work. Them first two years didn’t really go my way. I put in that work mindset, now I’m in a great spot because I put in that work.”
