Sheridan filling many roles for Eagles

Most “Baby Boomers” loved to swim, however, our choices were somewhat limited to a spring-fed pond or in some cases a big water trough. Whenever we did get time to cool off in those ponds or tanks, there were water bugs that zipped across the surface at a lightning-fast speed.

There are several fast football players on teams around Southwest Oklahoma but two who bring up thoughts of those water bugs are MacArthur’s Dominic Collins and Eisenhower’s Serri Sheridan.

If you haven’t seen those two play you need to make it a point to see them in action before the season ends.

We interviewed Collins earlier in the season and this week we had a chance to chat with Sheridan, a 5-10, 167-pound speedster who plays wide receiver, running back, cornerback and is Ike’s return specialist.

“I got my speed from my dad who grew up in Louisiana and played football,” Sheridan said. “He was transferred here by the Army and retired 8 or 10 years ago. He’s always there to offer me advice. He pushes me to be the best player I can be.”

Sheridan was playing cornerback and returning kicks last season but his increased offensive role came about for the wrong reason.

“Last year I wasn’t involved with the offense but when Rashaud (Hurt) went down, the reps for several of us went much higher.”

While injuries are a part of any sport, it seems this fall that the Lawton schools along with Cache and Elgin have all seen injuries to starters.

“This team has had some key injuries,” Sheridan said. “Rashaud’s injury took away a great back and last week our best defensive player (Jermaine Veu) suffered a broken collarbone. Our motto is ‘next man up.’ We can’t let those things bother us because injuries can happen at any time in any sport.”

Sheridan has already scored on runs, pass receptions and kick returns and he’s hoping to stand in the end zone tonight when the Eagles host Shawnee in a key 5A-2 battle at Cameron Stadium.

Even when Sheridan isn’t playing football, he can be found watching college and NFL games.

“My favorite college team is TCU,” he said. “When I was a kid my favorite color was purple and when I saw them on TV the first time I said that is my favorite team.”

His choice for the NFL is easy to explain.

“I grew up in Louisiana so my favorite NFL team is the Saints,” he said. “And my favorite NFL player is Drew Brees. I guess those are expected for a kid growing up in Louisiana.”

Where his Louisiana roots were shoved aside was when it comes to food. Forget the jambalaya, gumbo or etouffee; give Sheridan his mom’s chicken fettuccini alfredo.

As far as the game plan for Shawnee, Ike’s defense is going to have to contain the Wolves’ quarterback.

“He doesn’t have a lot of pure running plays but he will scramble a good deal,” Sheridan added. “He can throw the ball and he has some good receivers so our defense is going to have to play well. On offense I think we can move the ball against them. This is a game we must win to keep our playoff goal alive.”