By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.–Monday’s Spring Football practice felt like more of a Late-October day than a early-June/end of the school year day with the wind swirling around Olympic Stadium and the rain coming down. The only difference in the feel was that it’s slightly warmer than those late-season practice sessions.
And for Carter Leatherman, in his final Spring Football run, the last three years have been preparing him for this final run in an Sprague Olympian Uniform.
The ups and the downs, it’s been an incredible journey for him. Something that he is grateful for.
“It’s been a lot of ups-and-downs. Freshman year, we did not have a great season, but these last couple of seasons have been a blessing. With a huge line, a guy like myself, it’s really just a privilege to go up against guys who are bigger because when we get to teams who are better, who are bigger, it’s going to pay off,” said Leathermen. “Last Spring Ball, have some fun and whoop some butt.”
On Monday, he was taking reps on the offensive and defensive line. With guys like Emmett Hunsaker and Max Knappa expecting to return to the line in the Fall, Latherbed is hoping to help contribute to that line as a starter and as a leader.
He credits Olys Head Coach AJ Robinson as helping him find his leadership role and realizing, truly, how many of the younger kids look up to him and it made him reflect on when he was a younger player coming up through the program.
“I got to give Coach AJ (Robinson) a lot of props, he threw me into the fire…and took on the role of realizing that these kids are looking up to me. Looking back as a freshmen, I thought of the people I looked up to and what they did,” Leathermen said.
And as they wrap up Spring Practice this week before turning the page into the Summer training season, Leathermen holds the program in high regards. It’s his identity as he, and the rest of the Olys prepare for a push for the 6A State Playoffs this upcoming season.
“It means a lot. It’s my hometown. I wear it with a chip on my shoulder. None of my family members went to Sprague, it’s part of my identity,” said Leathermen.
Sprague will open the season on September 4 at home against Caldera.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
