For 6-foot-1, 240-pound Ardmore High School senior Derek Meely, being a Tiger is about more than what he accomplishes within 120 yards of gridiron.

Meely, Ardmore football head coach Josh Newby’s star defensive end, “has the potential to play at the next level due to his great feet and overall quickness as a defensive end,” Newby said.

Meely self-identified his greatest traits as physicality, teamwork and that “people on the team feed off [his] positive energy.”

“My physicality is to help us win on Friday night. I have teamwork with my team on the field work together,” Meely said. “Teammates feed off my energy in the locker room if it’s positive words.”

He picked up football at 5 years old. He was hooked – but playing with the crimson A on either side of his helmet means much more than playing without it.

“It means a lot to me. I love being an Ardmore Tiger. I love representing the Ardmore Tigers on and off the field,” Meely said. “And Ardmore High School will always be home. Because that’s how it feels like home. The coaches show love all the time. . . just a great environment around Ardmore High School.”

Meely also takes great pride in his Chickasaw heritage and spends his summers working for the Chickasaw Nation at HUGS day camp. He also has been working through weekly Native American language lessons during the semester. Meely enjoys other benefits as the Chickasaw Nation provides academic guidance through weekly conference calls.

“It’s important to me because I can learn how to speak the Native American language and be responsible for my personal self,” Meely said. “It’s always important to me to make good grades. I enjoy playing with the kids and going to do different activities with them.”