MIGUEL CHAVEZ

Muskogee Roughers

The hype around the game of football most often revolves around skill players and how many times they score on Friday night.  But coaches and players will truthfully admit it’s what happens up front that determines the outcome of each snap of the football.  That challenge is something that puts a smile on the face of Miguel Chavez, a 6-5, 300 pound senior who eagerly accepts his responsibility on every play.

“I just try to be a dog on every snap, give everything I have to help my team win every play throughout every game,” said Chavez, who rarely takes a break while doubling as a two-way starter for the Muskogee Roughers.

“Going both ways requires more than just being in top physical condition, you also have to be mentally focused and all of that starts during the week in practice, in the weight room and film study.”

It’s easy to watch the impact of Chavez with the Roughers linemen groups because he lets his actions do all the talking.

“Honestly I don’t say a whole lot, I just try to lead by example,” said Chavez. “We’re the bunch that has to move the dirt so Byrd can fly or so PJ (Wallace) and LaTavion (Johnson) can run the ball. My guys know that when I do speak, I mean business and it’s time to go to work. No excuses.”

Born in Tulsa and raised in Porter, Chavez transferred to Muskogee before the start of the 2023 season determined to achieve his dreams of playing football.

“I take playing football important and I wanted to play for the Roughers because I saw the opportunity to be part of a team that takes football seriously and compete with a group of guys like myself that are committed to doing whatever it takes to win every time we step on the field.”

In addition to helping Muskogee win the Class 6A-II state championship last season, the determination and talents of Chavez have also drawn the attention of college recruiters resulting in the Muskogee senior having earned offers from Army, Air Force and Navy as well as UNLV where Chavez has committed his future of playing college football, the next step in following his dream.

“I’m going to prove to everyone I am a Division-I player,” Chavez said in a voice of confidence. “I’ve proven that I can play 6A level football with the best players in Oklahoma and I want to use this season to prove to everyone that I’ll also be successful when I go to the next level.”

A top performer in the classroom attaining a 3.7 GPA, Chavez admits that he’s a student of history and hopes to write a closing chapter in his book of playing Muskogee football.

“The title of the final chapter…Roughers Go Back-to-Back.”