Man of Still: Hawks’ quarterback bulks up to help carry the load

BENTON, Mo. — It all started in the depths of a dimly lit locker room, where defeat lingered in the air like a heavy fog, the remnants of Kelly’s heart-wrenching 26-13 district tournament loss to Priory at the end of last season.

Ice packs clung to bruised and injured limbs, their chilling presence a stark reminder of the physical toll taken on the team. Emotions ran high as tears of disappointment welled up in the eyes of the players, weighed down by the heavy burden of feeling they had let their graduating seniors down.

At this moment, quarterback Skyler Still made a resolute decision within himself — he vowed to do everything in his power to ensure that neither he nor his teammates would ever have to experience this crushing feeling again.

Kelly's Skyler Still (3) goes up for an interception�during a 34-14 win over Charleston at Lambert Field in Benton, Missouri on Thursday, September 14, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“That game hit me hard and motivated me to get better,” Still said. “That loss was on me, my team played great and I made a couple of errors that put us in a bad position. So I put in the work and tried to gain weight to make myself more durable to help put my team in a better position.”

Since that moment, Still underwent a remarkable transformation, adding approximately 25 pounds of muscle to his frame and experiencing a notable growth spurt, now standing at an impressive six feet and one inch tall.

“That all began with his commitment to the weight room,” said Kelly football coach Lance Powers. “He dedicated himself to putting on the weight, and the results are evident. Once he reached a certain weight, I promised him we would utilize his running abilities more, and he’s thriving in that aspect. He possesses an exceptional aptitude for eluding tough situations, extending plays and gaining those crucial extra yards for our team.

Kelly's Skyler Still (3) runs�during�a 34-14 win over Charleston at Lambert Field in Benton, Missouri on Thursday, September 14, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“The weight room commitment goes hand in hand with his meticulous approach to studying the playbook and analyzing game film,” Powers continued. “He’s doing an outstanding job in these areas, ensuring he’s fully prepared when he steps onto the field.”

The junior’s leadership had propelled Kelly to a flawless 4-0 start this season.

As one of Southeast Missouri’s top passers, he has completed an impressive 32-of-48 attempts for 435 yards, tallying eight touchdowns with just two interceptions.

Kelly quarterback Skyler Still throws a pass against St. Vincent during a football summer camp. (Photo by Clay Herrell)

Additionally, Still has displayed his versatility by rushing for 196 yards and six touchdowns on 31 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.

His impact also extends to the defense side, as evidenced by an acrobatic interception in the back of the end zone during the Hawks’ 34-14 victory over Charleston.

“Coach Powers pushed me to gain weight and height came with it,” Still said. “He was a big part of my transformation and drive to get better, without him none of this would be possible. Thanks to his help I have maintained a rigorous routine in the weight room, attending daily sessions with the team, and even taking the initiative to do extra lifting at home.

Kelly's Skyler Still (3) runs�during a 34-14 win over Charleston at Lambert Field in Benton, Missouri on Thursday, September 14, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“I feel better about my body and I am more confident on the field,” he concluded. “I feel like I can give some hits on offense. The weight room is a big part of football, and I’m going to keep pushing myself every day to put our team in the best position possible.”

Kelly will look to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2021 when they travel to Principia with Whitfield (0-2) on Saturday, September 23 at 3 p.m.

The Hawks defeated the Panthers 41-0 last season.