When you listen to Fort Gibson football coach Ryan Nolan talk about Cash Keys, a word that keeps recurring is leader. “He’s the leader of our team and the kids really follow him. He’s really matured in the past year, put on some weight and is a good leader. We had a little turmoil here during the summer with some players and coaches leaving, but Cash really helped us through that time by taking the kids under his wing and getting them ready to play. He’s helped take us from just a talented, young team to a team that could be really special this year,” said Nolan. Cash also plays basketball and golf for the Tigers, but his heart belongs to football. “I like it best because it’s more of a challenge to me in some respects. I can play more freely and it’s all about going out and competing.” Cash started his high school career at Sequoyah Tahlequah where his sister Lexy was a standout athlete. “Lexy has had a huge impact on all the sports I play because she put God first in everything she did, and she taught me how to fight adversity when things don’t go your way.” But at Sequoyah and even after he transferred to Fort Gibson, Cash says he always felt like he had to prove himself. “I’ve always felt like I had to earn a spot, so I played with a chip on my shoulder,” said the talented junior. He plays running back and receiver and a couple of pro players have been his role models. “I like to watch Cooper Kupp in the NFL, and I watched Drake Stoops a lot when he was at OU and I try to pattern my game after those two.” Cash had a record setting year in 2024 with over 1000 yards of offense rushing and receiving. On defense where he plays free safety, he had 48 tackles, three tackles for loss and four interceptions. And with that in mind, Nolan knows he has to get the ball in Keys’ hands more this year. “Last year when Cash touched the ball four times or more in a game, we won and when we didn’t, we lost, so I guess that’s bad coaching on my part,” Nolan laughed. “So far this year we’ve done a good job of getting him the ball and our offense has been successful.” Through the first three games of the year, Cash had nearly 400 yards in total offense with eight touchdowns. Though he’s had had some big games in his time as Tiger, Keys comes back to the Battle for The Rock-the annual showdown with archrival Hilldale. “That game last year was one where I didn’t play my best game but winning The Rock back was definitely awesome.” Perhaps Nolan sums it up best as he talked about Cash Keys. “He’s a great running back and wide receiver and on defense he’ll fly down from safety to stop the run and is a lock-down guy in pass coverage. He’s the kind of guy you want on your football team but also the kind of guy you’d like your daughter to date.”
