Moore Lions Reflect on Difficult Season

The Lions finished the year with a winless record, but are more focused on the inspiration provided by head coach Scott Myers.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:53 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Nov 5, 2010 12:18 AM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

MOORE, Oklahoma – The Moore Lions were unable to finish their season with a comeback win Thursday, but they are more concerned with a different kind of comeback.

Head coach Scott Myers’ comeback from cancer.

Myers was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney and spine in January, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. But through it all, he has managed to be on the sidelines every week this season to coach the Lions.

“He’s never missed a beat; I don’t know how he does it,” said Lori Linstead, wife of Moore defensive coordinator Greg Linstead. “By the grace of God, he continues to go on and lead this team, even while fighting chemo.

"Our boys are inspired every day, and our community is inspired every day. To see what’s happening with this football program, and with these players and this coaching staff and this community, it transcends wins and losses.”

Parents of players on the Moore team said that Myers is often in visible discomfort or pain at team functions, and they all know what it is from. But they said that has encouraged their sons not to give up when a situation is not going their way.

Another fan that was in the stands on Thursday knows a little bit about what Myers is going through. Del City coach Nick Warehime has had his own battle with cancer and said he will be there to support Myers and his team during a tough time.

"It's just kind of one of those deals," Warehime said. "He has supported us and Coach Myers and his team are in our prayers, and I know it's the same for Del City."

The Lions have finished the last two seasons without a win, but Myers’ players echoed the sentiment that his impact was on their lives, not their record.

“We’ve tried all year long, and it’s tough coming up short every time,” linebacker David Cowan said. “I think we did the best we could, a lot of times we just came up short. That’s how life is sometimes; we’ve just got to keep pushing. Coach Myers has taught us that, to never give up and keep fighting.”

Cowan added that Myers has never wanted to be the center of attention, and that alone has been an inspiration.

“He didn’t want the focus to be on him as a person, he wanted it to be about the football team,” Cowan said. “Even when he’s away, that’s all he’s worried about is getting back to the football team. He’s just always been focused on us, and he’s done everything he could do for us.”