Sallisaw senior fullback/linebacker glad to be a part of program’s resurgence

Sometimes you just seem to be in the right place at the right time. For Sallisaw Black Diamonds senior fullback/linebacker Jastin Lindsay, he is enjoying being a part of the SHS football program resurgence after two rough seasons in which the total overall record was 1-19. That thought got reinforced when the Black Diamonds upset Cushing 35-28 in overtime in last Friday night’s Class 4A opening-round playoff game.

“It was a blessing,” Lindsay said. I loved it. I was at a different school before I came here. I wasn’t expecting this (success to happen). I had heard all the bad things during the other (two) years. I was just coming in here thinking, ‘Let’s just change it, and have a better year this year.’ I know they went 1-19 the last two years. I was like, ‘Let there be a change.’ When I saw all the (championship) banners, and seeing they were all 20 years apart, I felt like, ‘This has to be our year. We’ve got to come fight and win state.’

To say the SHS senior is enjoying the ride is an understatement.

“I love it,” Lindsay said. “I love the excitement around here. I love the aggression we’re bringing to the football field. I love being a part of this.”

While last Friday night’s playoff road upset of Cushing was extremely enjoyable, Lindsay knows the Black Diamonds now have to focus on their Class 4A state quarterfinal match-up at 7 tonight at Blanchard. “I’m just blessed that I have another week of (football). I’m not ready to give it up,” he said. “I’m ready to go fight this next one, then worry about the next one. I know we’re not done. I know we have a lot more for us.”

Anytime one looks at a bracket, it’s hard not to look ahead to possible match-ups. If the Black Diamonds win tonight, there could be a District 4A-4 rematch against Poteau, which beat Sallisaw 28-13 on Oct. 19 at Perry F. Lattimore Stadium. Lindsay hopes the rematch gets to take place.

“We had some mistakes in that game,” he said. “If we get to see them again, we’ll be more prepared for them. We’ll be more ready. Their offense is totally different from everybody else’s — and I give them that. I feel we’re the best team that’s stopped them, We just have to beat their offense.”

However, Lindsay knows he and the Black Diamonds need to take care of business tonight.

“We’re not overlooking them,” Lindsay said about the Blanchard Lions. “We’re still worried about them. We’re looking to go defeat them, and get that over with. Then, we’ll move on to the next round.”