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Playing on the same field as former legends is a powerful feeling, especially when you happen to be related to one of them. Chalker football player Cobe Cernuto and his uncle, former Wildcat running back Kevin Givens, share that bond.
"It's an honor," Cernuto said. "When you play for Chalker you have to work hard to accomplish things because nothing we get here is given. We have to earn everything. Respect and everything beyond that."
Givens might not be a name you recognize and you won't find it in the record books, but he had a large impact on the program while he was there.
He ran for the Wildcats from 1987 to 1990 and would have been the school's all-time leading rusher, with a total yardage estimated to be between 6,000-7,000.
The reason you don't recognize his name, is that he was a half credit short of graduation so his records don't count.
Had the record counted, Givens' totals would have shattered the mark set by Rick Badanjek who rushed for 5,336 yards. Badanjek went on to the University of Maryland and later a brief stint in the NFL.
Givens also had offers from multiple schools, most notable being the University of Michigan.
"It was pretty tempting, but I didn't have the grades for that big of a school," Givens said. "I did get to meet with some of the guys there, which was pretty cool."
Givens was a hard-nosed player with the Wildcats. His nephew described him as a player that's perfect for Chalker.
"I've heard stories about him from former players that played here and from family," Cernuto said. "It's pretty awesome to hear the stories. He was hard to bring down and he wasn't afraid to fight through an injury. Playing here for Chalker, you have to play through injuries sometimes."
Cernuto learned the game from his uncle after not knowing much. Givens said that his nephew was a sponge for information and that it's no surprise how much he's learned.
"He didn't know much about it and was interested in getting into it," Givens said. "I enjoyed doing it, it was just like being a coach. He's all about listening and learning so it was great to teach him."
Even when they were just playing around, Cernuto was picking up any information he can.
"I'd always play in his front yard with my brother," Cernuto said. "We'd have pads on and just go full out. He'd always enjoy that and have a good time. Handing the ball off to me and let me run. It was fun."
One other thing that connects them, is that both of them love to square off against Mathews. Last season's win over the Mustangs was a special victory for Cernuto.
"If you play here at Chalker, you can't stand Mathews," Cernuto said. "It's always a hard-hitting game. We go all out against them. Last season was the first time I've beaten them at any level in football. It was the best feeling ever."
Heading into his senior season, Cernuto has a lot he's fighting for. He wants to not only make his friends and family proud, he's fighting to bring pride to his school.
"I'm here to play for Chalker, play for my family, play for my teammates, and to make my family proud of me and my team," Cernuto said.