Beau Ritchie, a senior football player at Idabel High School, has been immersed in the game from a young age. “Football has always been in my family. I have always watched it ever since I can remember. I started playing football in 5th grade with my dad as the coach, and I have loved playing ever since then,” he shares.

Beau’s passion for the sport was inspired by family members who set the bar high. “My two older cousins, who played D1, were the main ones to inspire me to play. They also influenced me in many ways when I first started.”

This season, Beau highlights the close bond his team has developed. “Our team has become very close since the beginning of the season. Everyone is willing to help each other and fight for each other. This has honestly been one of the closest teams I have been on in my career.” As a leader, Beau strives to set the tone for his teammates. “Every day, I try to set an example for the younger players. I prepare for it by focusing on not being selfish.”

Beau reflects on the challenges he’s faced, including recovering from a significant injury. “My most challenging moment was when I broke my collarbone this spring before my senior season. I lost a lot of strength because I had to sit out so long. It was hard to see everyone being able to lift and train all summer while I was sidelined. I eventually overcame it, though. Before I knew it, I was back to normal with hardly anything to show for it.”

A standout memory for Beau was achieving a district title last season. “Our team had worked hard and fought through a lot of adversity to accomplish that.”

After high school, Beau plans to prioritize academics. “I plan on attending college for academics. I have always wanted to play sports in college, but as I’ve gotten older, I made the decision to focus on academics in college.”

He emphasizes the importance of seizing every opportunity, saying, “Just play. You may be nervous or unsure, but you will never get these years of high school back.”