High school football has been a pretty sweet ride for Idabel senior Chris Bloodsoe.

For the last three years the Warriors have made it to the state quarterfinals in a sport the big lineman loves. “I just like the physicality of football where you can just go out and hit people and have fun,” you could hear Bloodsoe smile. “I like playing on offense the best because I like helping my quarterback, running backs and receivers get their yards,” said Chris who also plays basketball and throws the shotput in track for Idabel. Like a lot of youngsters, Bloodsoe got his start in football after some friends coaxed him into playing in the third grade.

Idabel has a new head coach but a familiar face this year as Braxton Kincade who’s been at Idabel for three years was elevated to head coach and is familiar with the big lineman. “Chris is a four-year starter for us and is a crucial part of our program,” said Kincade. “He anchors our line at offensive tackle and defensive end which is where I think he’ll play at the collegiate level. He had 27 tackles for loss, eight sacks and an interception last year and I’m looking for big things from him this season. He’s a youngster of high character and will be a strong senior leader as he’s good at taking young kids under his wing.” That’s probably something he learned when he was a freshman from a couple of guys he considers role models.

“On offense Trace Reesing taught me a lot of things and on defense Markee Townsend was a big help when I was a freshman,” said Chris. Given Idabel’s success over the last three years, picking some highlights from his career was pretty easy for Bloodsoe. “My sophomore year we won the district title. My junior year I had a pick six against Checotah that helped us win that game.”

As a senior leader this year, Chris knows what will be expected of him. “I show people where to line up on offense if they don’t know and on defense when the coaches call a coverage, I make sure everyone on the field knows what it is.” Bloodsoe has a goal of making 15 sacks and at least 100 tackles on defense and on offense working to allow no sacks of his own quarterback-and getting the Warriors past the quarterfinals this year. He wants to play college football and has had conversations with both Southeastern and East Central and when he leaves Idabel he would like to be remembered as a vocal leader and a good teammate.