Cade Stacy was just trying to make a good impression when he took the field as a sophomore for the Jenks Trojans during a preseason scrimmage.
A transfer from Owasso, Stacy was pretty much unknown to the Trojan coaching staff.
He immediately delivered a big hit on an opposing wide receiver, which earned him the nickname “Kid Rock” from new defensive coordinator Adam Gaylor.
“We were playing a Cover-2 and they ran a five-yard out and I came down and got a big hit on the receiver,” recalled Stacy. “Coach Gaylor, he called me Kid Rock right after that play and from then on I was Kid Rock.”
Now an experienced, 6-2, 185-pound senior cornerback, Stacy helps anchor a veteran Trojan defense that has allowed less than 12 points a game with two shutouts this season. Jenks (8-1, 6-0 in district play) is currently ranked number one in Class 6A-I.
“I like hitting people,” admitted Stacy with a chuckle. I’m a lot more physical than I used to be.”
“Cade is a fierce competitor,” said Jenks head coach Keith Riggs. “He won the starting corner job midway through his sophomore year and has gotten better and better as his career has gone on.”
“We put him on the other team’s best receiver week in and week out and he loves that challenge,” continued Riggs. “He steps up each and every week. To have a guy like that, especially with his length and speed, we know we can stick him on the single side of a formation and we have to give him little, if any, help from a safety or linebacker. He’s a tremendous help to our defense.”
“I love going against the best,” admitted Stacy. “That’s just how I am.”
That competitive spirit has earned Stacy the role of team captain. It’s an honor he doesn’t take lightly.
“With me not being a Jenks lifer, that doesn’t happen very often,” said Stacy on being named a team captain. “Just knowing that my teammates look up to me is amazing. I haven’t known them that long, but they’ve turned into my brothers. I try to push them and they push me. It’s been a blessing.”
With only a few weeks left in his prep career, Stacy is focused on helping Jenks win its second straight state championship and securing a college scholarship.
“My dream has always been to play at the next level and to not have to make my mom pay for college,” remarked Stacy. “That’s my dream. Ever since I was in second grade, I’ve always just wanted to play. I just need an opportunity. I can play anywhere.”
Jenks wraps up its regular season schedule Friday when the Trojans host Westmoore in a 6A-I showdown. This Ford Game of the Week will be televised live on Cox’s YurView channel 3 and streamed online.
“We don’t necessarily have any superstars on our team,” claimed Riggs. “We just have a ton of guys that play really good football. The thing that stands out to me is that our kids play with such great effort. When you watch them on film, they just love to play football. They give their all each and every play. You give yourself a chance in every game when you’ve got guys like that.”
