West Lincoln senior Alan Skates was an instrumental force in theBears winning their first game of the 2003 football season lastThursday night. Skates rushed the football 17 times for 217 yardsand scored 4 touchdowns as West Lincoln pounded Region 4-1A rivalDexter 46-0.

Skates had runs of 60, 2, 41 and 9 yards for the TDs. He alsoran for two 2-point conversions for a total of 30 points on thenight.

For his accomplishments, Skates has been selected as The DAILYLEADER’s Offensive Player of the Week for the eighth week of the2003 football season.

Skates, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 200 pounds, said heappreciated the honor. “I am really pleased.”

In 8 games, Skates leads the Bears with 149 carries for 914yards for a 6.9 yard average.

“Alan is good and solid,” said West Lincoln head coach RonDuPree. “He hardly ever talks and he never complains.

“He has 914 yards rushing and didn’t start the first two gamesof the season.”

Skates runs a 40-yard dash in 4.7. He benches 289 pounds.

According to DuPree, Skates has powerful legs. He curls around200 pounds and around 600 pounds in the knee lifts.

“Alan has good balance,” added DuPree. “He’s our top-ratedathlete on our ability scale. He also has the strongest legs on theteam. He’s our strongest player.”

Skates was happy to see the losing streak come to and end.

“I am happy we won,” smiled Skates. “We need it.”

One of the plays Skates scored a touchdown on was No. 3. “I runbehind the center,” explained Skates. On the 60-yard TD, “I gavethe short guy the stiff arm and that was it.”

Skates appreciates his offensive line and listed his teammates.They are Robbie Fauver at right tackle; Phillip Jarancik at center,Kyle Lofton at right guard, Daniel Parsons at left guard, CodyWarren at left tackle and Donovan Carnley at blocking guard.

West Lincoln will celebrate homecoming Friday night. Skates andthe Bears are preparing for the Stringer Red Devils in a big Region4-1A match. “I know Stringer has a good running back,” saidSkates.

In school, Skates enjoys economics as his favorite subject.

After graduation, Skates says he plans to go to Co-Lin and majorin auto mechanics.

In college football, Skates likes the Ole Miss Rebels. In theNFL, his favorite player is fullback Mike Alstott of the Tampa BayBuccaneers.

“I’d like to thank the coaches,” added Skates. “They really workus hard and work us in the weight room. I’d like to thank mylinemen and the defense for recovering those fumbles.”