Big opening night turns heads

Conroe, Texas running back Desmon Chatman exploded on the field during his first game of the season and now college recruiters are paying close attention to Conroe, Texas as the season continues on.

“Desmon gets a lot of mail everyday from schools all over,” Conroe coach Roger Holtkamp said. “We’ve been getting calls all fall, but a few new ones this week after that game.”

That game included just 18 carries for the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Chatman. But, on those 18 carries, he managed to total 300 yards and score three touchdowns.

“It is a little bit of a surprise, anytime you get a guy with 300 yards, and especially on 18 carries,” Holtkamp said. “There were a lot of long runs, but our offensive line did a good job last week, but when Desmon got through the line, he used his speed to get going. He did it against MacArthur, so it isn’t like it was a nobody he was playing.”

In addition to his duties as a running back, Chatman also took the opening kickoff back 75 yards for a touchdown.

“He’s a great athlete,” the coach said. “He is fast and explosive. He has strength to get through a hole, but he’s got a lot of speed too. Athletically he’s very capable of playing at the Division I-A level. He’s going to re-take his test and get all that stuff in line.”

Chatman has one scholarship offer to date.

“He had one offer last spring from Louisiana-Monroe. He just wasn’t ready to take that, so he is just sitting back. So far, there are no other offers yet. That stuff will come. Coaches know he’s a good player and they’ll evaluate things as the season goes on.”