Photo by David Jenkins
Pictured were back row, from left, Panther assistant coach Lemuel Stinson,
head coach Stacey Dillard, front, Synthia Satchell, Kadeem Satchell and
Richard Pickett.

Sign on line with Div. II program

By David Jenkins
Staff Writer

Princeton's Richard Pickett and Kadeem Satchell spent the past three seasons as teammates on the varsity football team.

They’ll continue to be teammates as each signed letters of intent to play for Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan.

Pickett said, “It feels like a great accomplishment to sign. Having him (K.J.) with me is going to help a lot. He is like my little brother. I know that he has my back. It’s good to have somebody there that you can rely on.”

Satchell added, “I feel like a lot of unwanted pressure has been taken off my shoulders. I have been worrying about being signed the whole school year. I took the SAT late, so I was worried about getting them in on time. It feels good to finally sign and be able to enjoy the rest of my senior year.”

Panther head coach Stacey Dillard said, “It feels to good to see K.J. and Richard moving on. A lot of the time the amount of kids that go on to the next level has a lot to do with the amount of success you’ve had. Just getting two kids out, compared to the other teams in 11-3A is comparable over even better.”

Dillard added, “They (Emporia State coaches) were very excited about having them on their team. A lot of the guys that go in are redshirted, but I think these guys are going in with the expectation of having the chance to play. They were very excited to get these guys and even talked about them coming in and playing right away. They talked about Richard coming in and possibly even starting his first year. They really liked his motor and the way that he competed  both on and off the field. The same thing can be said for K.J. He has a big frame. He is a young kid, and his body is going to continue to develop into a good-looking athlete.”

The Hornets are a NCAA Div.  II program that competes in the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

They finished the 2010 season seventh in conference play at 3-6 and went 5-6 overall.

At Princeton, both athletes were part of the 2010 squad that was the first team to qualify for the playoffs at any classification since 1976.

Pickett said, “It feels good to know that we are the first team to do that (make playoffs) in 36 years. It took a lot of teamwork and sacrifice, and it paid off in the end.”

Pickett is a four-year letterman on the varsity football team, where he played defensive end and offensive lineman.

In addition, he was a member of the track and field team and the varsity powerlifting squad.

At Emporia State, Pickett will  play on the defensive line, where he has the chance to start as a freshman, according to Dillard.

Other schools who showed interest were Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Durant, Oka.) and Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Pickett said, “They (A&M-Commerce) wanted me, but I wanted to play away from home. I felt like it would give me a chance to grow and provide new opportunities. I felt at home and comfortable with the coaches and players.”

His plans are to major in sociology.

Satchell was a three-year member of the varsity football team, runs track and field and is part of the varsity basketball team.

This past football season, he played wide receiver, some quarterback in the wildcat formation and at linebacker.

He made the switch to linebacker after playing safety his first two varsity seasons.

On the basketball court, as a sophomore, he was part of the 2008-2009 team that advanced to the 3A Region II semifinals, and has qualified multiple times for the 3A Region II track and field meet.

At Emporia State, Satchell will become a full-time free safety.

He said, “I’ve been playing free safety all the way up to this past season. It’s probably one of the positions that I love the most. I’m excited about getting to work and continuing to grow as a player.”

The other program that showed interest was Southeastern Oklahoma State.

Satchell said, “I went for a visit (to Kansas) and loved the environment. It had a real homey feeling, and I felt comfortable with the coaches. I just felt like I was at home.”

Pickett and Satchel were the fourth and fifth players to sign football scholarships in Dillard’s three years as the head coach.

Satchel said, “I feel blessed to be able to be one of those five. I put in all the extra work and time to make it to this point.”

Dillard recalls when he first saw both athletes after he took the job.

He said, “I remember the first day seeing K.J. and Richard when I came here; at the time they were freshman. I saw them in the weight room. I knew then they were two guys that we could build a program around. I watched K.J. mature as a defensive player. He has shown great growth from being a freshman to now a senior. Richard is an extremely hard worker and has been from day one. I expect that attitude to carry over into college.”