Malachi Hatfield is one of the many stars for Rocky football even though he is not currently on varsity. He transferred this year from Centennial High School. Malachi plays running back for junior varsity and has been a great overall player with a better attitude.

“He has been a such a remarkable player and always shows up,” says teammate Ben Chandler. When asked how Rocky football is different from Centennial football, he says, “There a difference and big difference, like crazy big, there’s so much bigger kids and the football program is locked in.” This shows from a previous outsider’s perspective how good the Rocky football program really is.

Coach Jake Chandler said, “He is a great young man, who doesn’t miss the weightroom. He is such a great addition to Rocky Football.” This shows his dedication to his team and the program. He does not miss workouts; he prioritizes sleep and eating to fuel. It takes a lot of hard work to do what he is doing on and off the field.

On the strengths and goals of the team, Hatfield said, “We need to talk to each other and communicate more with each other, and strength comes with the number of people we have and the dedication and stuff we have for each other and that comes with a passion”. This just shows how Hatfield is as a teammate and a player. “We still got work to do,” says Hatfield. He still wants more and still tries to give it his all everyday no matter what.

“He is one of our running backs. We have a talented group of running backs on this team and he leads this group,” said Coach Chandler. This is just another way Malachi has such a big impact on the team. Even by just showing up he can do a lot to make everyone better as a team and even each individual player as their own. With such a big role for Rocky football, and not even on varsity yet, just imagine what he’s going to next.

“One step at a time” he says, just showing how with all this talent he still can stay humble but even better stay hungry.

On his goals this season, Hatfield simply said, “win by week by week.” This once again shows how humble he is on and off the field. He’s just straight business and puts in work every day. Hatfield played flag football his entire life until he gave tackle a go in seventh grade for middle school and was a star as soon as he got out there. Over time he learned more about the game and trained hard and look where he’s at now. Coaches love the way he “runs with the football.”

“Anytime that you can run the ball downfield with power, it takes control of the game and allows us to do so many more things to really showcase the talents on our offense,” said Chandler. It is a fun way to play football.

The reason Hatfield is not on varsity because of the transfer from Centennial only allowing him to be on junior varsity. Hatfield has impacted so many football players at Rocky just by showing up and he always tries his best every day, and not just with football. This is how every player should try to be, and he just sets that role for himself. Many others would love to be doing good as him one day. There is so much in store for him in the next two years.