FOOTBALL: Owens-Shells fights through doubt, signs with SWOSU

Feb. 8—Derreck Owens-Shells has put in the work for his new opportunity.

The Chickasha senior became a playmaker for the Fightin' Chicks on both sides of the ball, and Wednesday was the start of a new chapter for him and his football career after high school. Owens-Shells took part in a signing ceremony and will continue his football career at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Playing football

Owens-Shells started playing football around 7 years old and did not love the sport at first. As he continued to play, he started to fall in love with the sport and started to dream about playing football after high school.

"To me, it is a dream come true," Owens-Shells said.

Another reason signing to play at the next level means so much to Owens-Shells is that he did not always believe he would get to this point. He experienced doubt along the way but was able to overcome that doubt to reach a goal he had wanted for a long time.

He wants to take advantage of the opportunity he has and make his supporters proud.

"I really doubted myself and didn't know if I'd be in the spot I am today," Owens-Shells said. "I've been blessed with an amazing opportunity, and I want to make the very most of it while making those who support me proud."

Owens-Shells' love of football starts with the fact that the sport can teach plenty of lessons. He loves facing the adversity and the ups and downs in football.

"I love how many life lessons you can get from experiences in the sport," Owens-Shells said. "I love the facing of adversity at low times, and the feeling of being on top of the world during the highs.

"There were some times in my life I had nothing to look forward to but football practice with my brothers."

But the senior also loves how football brings people together. Even with so many players on a team and many differences among the team, the players come together for one common goal.

"Football brings together different types of people and shows you that everyone, no matter who you are, can work toward a common goal," Owens-Shells said.

Choosing SWOSU

Owens-Shells had opportunities to play elsewhere, but SWOSU ended up being the choice. He said that once he knew where he wanted to play, there was no looking back.

His love for the Bulldogs really built up during the recruiting process. They treated him like more than a recruit and treated him like he was a part of their family.

"Before my senior season started, they were really interested in me from my performance at their prospect camps," Owens-Shells said. "I grew a connection with multiple coaches there, and during my official visit with them, I was treated like family."

Weatherford is where he is meant to be after high school.

Playing for Chickasha

The senior racked up accomplishments as a Fightin' Chick.

After his senior season, he was named the District 4A-1 Running Back of the Year and earned a spot on the Oklahoma Coaches Association's Class 4A West All-Star team.

Owens-Shells is appreciative of the help from his coaches and where that help has led him.

"I appreciate the coaches who helped me grow as an individual," Owens-Shells said.

But along with becoming an accomplished player for Chickasha came something he wanted to be since he was little. Owens-Shells always looked up to the high school players when he was younger, and he became one of the people he looked up to.

"They were superstars to me," Owens-Shells said. "All I wanted to do was be like them when I was older.

"My favorite thing would be holding my hand out as they walked through the schools on Fridays. I hope I was able to make kids feel the same way."