In 24 seasons, Republic football coach says Zach Dickens is the best fullback he’s ever coached.
“There’s no doubt that you’re getting effort on every play and you’re getting commitment to excellence every time,” Beachler says.
That commitment to excellence has helped Dickens earn the opportunity to play college football. He’ll join the roster at Southwestern College in Kansas next season.
Dickens credits Beachler’s belief in him for his improvement as a player at Republic.
“He’s always thought highly of me, and that’s had a lot to do with how I shape as a player,” Dickens says. “I’d mess up, I’d get really down about myself, and he’d bring me right back up. Without him, I wouldn’t be the player I am today.”
As fullback, Dickens played a big role in the Republic offense without touching the ball very often. He also anchored the defense as a middle linebacker. Both those roles will be hard to fill next year without him, according to Beachler. And even three months after the season ended, Dickens’ work ethic is still evident.
“I think the biggest thing with seniors is if they make it through January still working hard in the weight room, you know you had a good one,” Beachler says. “Zach never asked out of anything, always does the workout…every lift, every day. That’s what makes him special.”