Moments after Cheney’s stirring 28-24 victory over Andale last month in the Class 3A football semifinals, players from both teams experiencing a gamut of raw emotion took a knee at midfield around one of their peers.
Cheney senior wide receiver and defensive back Colter McDaniel stood before the group, sharing a brief gospel message before leading the teams in prayer.
“That was an emotional game,” said McDaniel, whose team went on to win its first state championship the following week. “There were 6,000 people watching, a big game. For (Andale) after a loss to show up and say we agree with this, we’re going to show the sportsmanship and come together and give glory where glory’s due, it was pretty amazing to be part of.”
McDaniel, the CapFed® True Blue® Student of the Week, was the driving force behind such scenes throughout the Cardinals’ magical football season.
A transfer from Attica prior to his junior year, McDaniel has connected with his Cheney schoolmates – and competitors on opposing teams – through his devout faith. A 4.0 student, McDaniel frequently provides the message for Cheney’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.
“Colter McDaniel is the greatest leader with our faith,” said Jackson Voth, McDaniel’s teammate and classmate.
While postgame football rituals typically involve a handshake line before the combatants go their separate ways, McDaniel and a few of his teammates spearheaded the intermediate step of bringing Cheney and its opponents together after each game. The inspiration, McDaniel said, came from a Nickerson coach’s invitation to the Cardinals to join their postgame prayer during a 2022 game.
“The sports we play, that’s big, but that’s not what this life is about,” McDaniel said. “It’s so much bigger than that, and that’s kind of the message I share with opposing teams. God placed us here for more than that.”
McDaniel’s three younger brothers transferred to Cheney a year ahead of him. He joined them after earning All-Heart of the Plains first-team defensive back in football and honorable mention in basketball as a sophomore.
McDaniel’s positivity made a strong first impression on Cheney principal Greg Rosenhagen.
“He was so cordial, polite and mature as he came in, and that was before I ever heard him say much,” Rosenhagen said. “He was confident, but not in a cocky way. He’s just confident in himself and his convictions. You can see that all over the place. He’s an excellent student, teammate, opponent – all of those things.”
McDaniel, who is considering a ministerial career, has grown up going to church and credits his grandparents’ and parents’ influences for his growth as a Christian. “Once I kind of got more knowledgeable about my faith and was able to share it better, I was like, ‘This is my role here,’” he said. “I think this can be a big part of so many lives.”
After consulting with Cheney coach Shelby Wehrman, McDaniel reached out to each of the Cardinals’ football opponents with an invitation to join up at midfield during postgame. All accepted, including players from Andale, which saw their 57-game winning streak ended by the Cardinals in October and their four-year reign as 3A champions snapped by Cheney in November.
“Usually if we haven’t seen a team, I would give them a gospel message,” McDaniel said. “I would include how this life is temporary and these things … it’s amazing in the moment, but it won’t last. For our second one with Andale, I just encouraged them with their faith. I’m glad we got to be a part of that.”
Rosenhagen witnessed McDaniel’s influence during his first year at CHS, when he joined Voth and another current senior, Kason Messenger, to speak to Cheney Middle School students.
“Our counselor asked them how they dealt with peer pressure,” Rosenhagen said. “I just stood in the back of the auditorium saying, ‘We need to be recording these responses.’ All three of them were saying, ‘I want something more out of myself, I have goals in mind.’ They said the exact, perfect thing.
“I’m in the room with a sixth-grade daughter and I’m thinking these are things I want her to hear.”
McDaniel understands the varying degrees to which people accept religion. He said the wide-spread acceptance at Cheney helped him quickly adjust to a new school and community.
“It was like I was meant to be here and everything immediately clicked,” McDaniel said. “I was put in with this friend group that was just amazing – full of athletes, full of people who cared about faith and were able to strengthen mine. Hopefully, I’ve been able to strengthen theirs a little bit.”
McDaniel certainly made an impact on the field this fall, catching 37 passes for 587 yards and 11 touchdowns, including the final two from quarterback Josh Burdick in Cheney’s 34-7 victory over Hayden in the 3A title game at snowy Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson. He was an All-Central Plains League first-team defensive back and second team at receiver.
“It was unforgettable,” McDaniel said of the championship experience. “I’d never played in a snow game. Everyone seemed to be playing in slow motion. My hands were freezing but it was so fun. It was so great to see the hard work pay off.”
McDaniel sustained a turf toe injury, a bruised bone on his foot and hip flexor and shoulder ailments during the course of the football season. He and Voth have had their basketball season delayed while they recuperate.
Through it all, McDaniel’s positive approach through his faith continues to resonate.
“His message goes beyond three minutes after a game,” Rosenhagen said. “He catches a pass, he gives the ball to the official. He credits his team. He’s not after the glory. He’s not doing it to be put on a pedestal or to be viewed as somebody special, although I think he is.
“I think you just look across the board and he’s doing it for the right reason. He’s confident in the way he goes about it and he’s humble in the way he goes about it. I think that is what makes people receptive.”