Words by Skylar Lara | Images by Al Blanton
Meet Cade Channell, a junior tackle at Dora with a towering height of 6-foot-4 and the strength of a grizzly bear. With an unlimited upside, Channell has been a key factor in the Bulldogs’ success in reaching the state playoffs in 2023 under head coach Chavis Williams.
Football has always come naturally to Channell. He started playing for the Parrish Tornadoes at age seven, but not on the offensive line, mind you. Instead, his first action came at the quarterback position.
“Around the age of ten, I moved to the offensive line. I had gotten too big to continue playing quarterback,” Channell admits.
The switch proved to be a wise decision, as he has since become one of the best linemen in the region. Channell attributes his growth as a football player to coaches like Williams, Tim Simon, and Todd Kitchens.
Dora will host Priceville in the first round of the AHSAA playoffs this Friday. Though the Bulldogs powered through the region, they have encountered a few speed bumps along the way, dropping games to both Winfield City and rival Corner.
“I was injured for the Winfield game, but I think that at that point, we were distracted by outside noise and not focusing on what we needed to do,” said Channell. “I think the games against Winfield and Corner were great learning blocks for us. Both are great football teams; we just had to move past it and learn from our mistakes.”
Looking forward to his 2025 graduation, Cade plans to pursue college football and potentially make it to the NFL. So far, the junior has received attention from several SEC schools, including Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, and Mississippi State. If he doesn’t get selected in the NFL Draft, he hopes to stay connected to the game and become a coach.
School-wise, Cade is involved in Peer Helpers and Youth Leadership. His favorite subject is Math, and he plans to pursue a Sports Management degree after graduation.
When he’s not busy making pancake blocks or studying to maintain his 4.0 GPA, Channell loves spending time with family and friends or going fishing—“I’m not a homebody,” he says. “I like to get out and explore.”
When asked to describe himself in one word, Channell replied with a fierce look in his eyes, “Commitment. I am committed to achieving whatever I set my mind to.”
This unwavering dedication to excellence has created a buzz in the community, as Channell and the Bulldogs are determined to cap off their 98th year of football with a championship. WL
