Athlete of the Week: Mack Lockhart

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Delta Panthers football is in a new era, winning all three of their first games in under new head coach Todd Casebier and climbing into the top five of the state rankings for their class.

Mack Lockhart, one of the running backs for Delta, has been at the center of all three of the Panthers’ wins in as many tries.

“Yeah, so we’re just taking every week one step at a time,” Lockhart said. “We know our coach Todd. He’s a great coach. He’s great pass, great everything. Had great teams, won a couple state championships and been there four times. We’re just taking them one step at a time. And our goal is to win state, but Aspen’s our next opponent, so we got to get through them first.”

Despite being ranked No. 4 in their class according to the Colorado High School Activities Association, the Colorado High School Activities Association, Lockhart said the Panthers prefer flying under the radar, like their namesake, the panther lurking in the shadows.

“It is a good thing, not being talked about all the time from other teams, like being a powerhouse like Wellington,” Lockhart said. “And I think it’s good because we get to practice, fly under the radar through the whole time and maybe even become those power dogs, powerhouses, but it’s good right now. Come playoffs, no one’s going to expect us, and then we’ll end up having a great run, maybe winning state.”

Delta’s Lockhart, toting the rock in the backfield, has already done a lot of damage this year, averaging 120 rush yards a game in the young season and has found the end zone five times. He’d be the first to tell you he isn’t doing it alone. He credits his offense, offensive line play, and his defense, which already has several takeaways.

“Our pass sets up the run, our run sets up the pass,” Lockhart said. “Either way, O-Line is going to do great no matter what. So if we pass the ball and they’re going to switch, they’re going to switch the defense and we’re just going to pound them on run and opposite because they just can’t stop or pass or run game if they adjust to it.”

The Panthers hit the road this week to face off with the Aspen Skiers, but they know when they get the chance to play in front of their hometown again at Panther Stadium, those are special Friday nights.

“Well, we don’t get many opportunities to show off in front of our crowds because we only have four-game four home games this year and last year we had as well,” Lockhart said. “So it’s just when we get the opportunity to show out in front of our home crowd, it feels like we have to because they don’t get to see us very often.”

If you have a local athlete or team you would like to submit to potentially be featured on a future Athlete of the Week, send nominations and a means of contact to Sports Director Garrett Brown at Garrett.Brown@kkco11news.com.