Montgomery blending skills for Warriors
By Griffin Callaghan
gcallaghan@cherokeetribune.com
Cherokee linebacker Chase
Montgomery has a diverse skill
set, blending facets of baseball
and basketball to become an
exceptionally well-rounded
football player.
Though baseball was his first
love at 4-years-old, Montgomery’s
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passion resides on the football
field. He found the experience
as a multi-sport athlete
which gives him an advantage,
both physically and mentally.
“With different needs for
each sport, it helps me think
through things differently on
the field,” Montgomery said.
“With basketball, I need to be
athletic and with baseball, it
has taught me to do things
powerfully. Football brings it
all together.”
Montgomery started playing
football in first grade, but
stopped in middle school. Now,
after picking football back up,
he could not imagine it any
other way.
He stays in shape through
year-round workouts and training
sessions, though he also
believes rest and recovery are
important in keeping his body
ready.
“I always really enjoyed playing
all three sports,” Montgomery
said. “I never really even
had a favorite until I got to high
school. Football called out to
me once I started again, and
this is what I want to pursue.”
Montgomery has made a
great impression since returning
to football, finishing
the 2021 season with 26 tackles,
three tackles-for-loss and
three quarterback hurries as
only a sophomore.
With Cherokee having such
a young core this year, his role
at outside linebacker is set to
expand.
“I have improved a lot,
understanding the defense
and the game,” Montgomery
said. “I am taking on a bigger
role this year, and I am
ready to embrace it. I am an
older player now as a j unior,
so I am doing my best to lead
these younger guys.”
Montgomery played eight
games for the baseball team
in the spring, recording a pair
of RBIs and a double. He was
on Cherokee’s JV basketball
team last year but plans to
focus on football and baseball
going forward.
Last season, Montgomery
shared the field with leading
tackler Tyler G oddard (127
tackles, two sacks) and his
brother Chase G oddard (6 0
tackles, one interception), who
both also played baseball for
the Warriors. He looked up
to the G oddards’ approach to
j uggling multiple sports.
“They always did it the right
way,” Montgomery said. “I
watched them a lot because
we played the same position. I
am trying to do the right thing
and leading while also listening
at the same time. I want
to set a good example.”
Montgomery believes he
has improved tremendously
from the end of last season
and is poised to continue his
rise as an impactful player
at Cherokee. He not only
saw his own progress but the
Warriors’ as a whole, saying
they grew closer.
Coach Josh Shaw praised how
hard his team played during
summer camps and said this
year’s Cherokee group is a fun
one.
“I think we are going to
turn some heads,” Montgomery
said. “Nobody is really
expecting much from us because
we lost a ton of seniors.
We are a young team, but I
think we are going to figure
something out.”
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