CHENEY, Wash. – In a small town where football means family, the Cheney Blackhawks are writing their own story, built on belief. After seasons of struggle, this team has defined who they are and what they stand for.
“That’s probably the most rewarding thing for me is seeing these kids get to experience winning, it’s pretty cool,” head coach John Graham said.
Graham came to Cheney High School after years of coaching at Eastern Washington University. He traded college stadiums for Friday night lights, taking over a winless team and determined to build something different.
“Championship mindset, in the classroom, in the community and the hallways, and the weight room and the kids bought into it – we’re hungry to do that and wanted it and they’ve done it,” Graham said.
Players like Mason Stinson, the Greater Spokane League’s leading receiver, fully embraced the mindset.
“Our saying has been 1-and-0 all season,” Stinson said. “We just focus on one game at a time and everyone trusting each other. I think all the coaches made us believe and that led to our success a great bit.”
That brotherhood has driven Cheney’s quick rise from last year’s 3-7 record to the top of the GSL 3A standings at 8-1… their best season in a decade.
“There’s nothing like it,” Tank Best said. “Being out here with your boys giving it everything you’ve got, trusting them knowing that they’ve got your back and I’ve got theirs at all times, working with them throughout the summer really just helped us grow that brotherhood out.”
For Graham, that connection off the field is just as important as what happens under the lights.
“We talk about the hallways and the classroom, watch out for each other, take care of each other,” Graham said. “We’re going to have arguments, we’re going to have scuffles out here, but at the end of the day we’re all one family and that’s a big part of what we’re doing.”
Cheney’s story isn’t just about a comeback; it’s about building something real: a culture of belief, brotherhood and pride that’s brought a town and its team back together.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
