04 Oct 2017 ‘Helpful’ Skinner strengthens panthers

by Mark Oliver

From quarterback to safety, Cody Skinner has experienced success on all sides of the football. However, as he prepared for his final season with Cabot, the senior decided that the best way to help the Panthers achieve their goals was to make a fresh start.

“My goal this year is to help my team win a state championship,” Skinner said. “Two weeks before the season opener, I asked to switch to linebacker because that’s where I felt that I could help the team the most. Although I had never played the position before, I knew that I was physically one of the strongest backs on the field and felt that I could use my strength as an advantage on defense. It’s been a great change for us so far.”

Skinner was selected to this year’s 501 Football Team — 25 players representing all 11 counties of the 501. The team, sponsored by Conway Ortho and Sports Medicine, Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank, boasts the best the 501 has to offer both on and off the field. Skinner was nominated by his head coach, Mike Malham.

“Cody has a great work ethic, never complains and always gives 100 percent,” Malham wrote in his nomination. “He gives the same effort in the classroom, is a great teammate and is always supportive of his teammates.”

As the Class 7A playoff picture slowly begins to develop, the Panthers (4-1, 2-0 7A Central) face a formidable foe in Conway—a team that proved to be a thorn in the team’s side last year. On the field, Skinner hopes to help his team exact revenge.

“This is a game that means a lot to us,” Skinner said. “Last year, we were undefeated and they were winless and we got a big head and got spanked. If we limit our mistakes and turnovers and our defense wraps up, I think we will be OK.”

Despite the team’s great start, Skinner says there’s still much to improve in order to reach its goals.

“Right now, our biggest opponent is ourselves,” Skinner said. “We’re young and lack experience. Most of our linemen and defense are seniors, but are starting for the first time. A lot of what we are doing on the field is new, and though we sometimes put ourselves at risk of losing because of it, we’ve been finding ways to overcome it. In practice, we’re working really hard, and our coaches are helping us get better every week.”

An injury sustained during his junior season helped open a window of opportunity for Skinner’s future.

“Last November, I injured my meniscus before our Week 10 matchup against North Little Rock,” Skinner said. “I tried to practice on it, but I made it even worse, and two weeks later, I had surgery. While I was recovering, I got to know our athletic trainers very well through our Sports Med Club at Cabot.

“In the program, we observe and assist the athletic trainers for all sorts of athletic events from football and basketball games to track meets. It was a cool experience because you really help others. Because of what I learned in the program, I want to go to college to become an athletic trainer so that I can help others, too.” 

Off the field, Skinner pole vaults for Cabot track and field, enjoys hunting and fishing and gives back to his community through youth athletics.

“I like working with younger players,” Skinner said. “For one of my classes, a group of us drives to the junior high school to coach the seventh-grade players. Someone has to work with them, and it’s something I enjoy doing.” 

“Cody is always helpful if someone needs help,” Malham wrote. “He volunteers at [Cabot Elementary School] football camps and helps coach peewee football and baseball.”

In his final season with the team, Skinner reflects on his football career and lends some advice for those who dream to play at the high school level one day.

“Everything starts in the classroom,” Skinner said. “Without the grades, you can’t play. School must always come first, followed by family. Football is a close third.”

Cabot plays at Conway at 7 p.m. Friday.