By John R. Schirmer
News-Leader staff
The Nashville Scrappers last week took another step toward the 2026 football season as they played under the lights at the Back-to-School Bash and had a visitor who stopped by the locker room one afternoon after practice.
Fans turned out in droves for the Bash to watch junior and senior high football, band and cheerleaders. Players in all fall sports were introduced, and the new turf and recently painted goal posts were on display throughout the night.
Chesshir talked to the fans after introductions were completed.
Before the Bash, though, came the guest.
The Scrappers returned to their locker room after practice Tuesday, Aug. 11. Coach Brad Chesshir had told them they would have a guest speaker, but he didn’t tell them who.
When Chesshir and the visitor went in to see the players, many of them knew immediately – Sam Pittman, former coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
“When Coach Pittman went in, he surprised the kids. They were excited,” Chesshir said.
Pittman was in Nashville that afternoon and evening for the Farm Bureau dinner at the high school cafeteria.
Rick Kesterson, a friend of Pittman, had worked with Farm Bureau for the coach to speak at the dinner.
Chesshir talked to Kesterson about asking Pittman to visit the Scrappers as well.
“Rick was able to get it done,” Chesshir said. “I’m thankful to Rick.”
Pittman shared “a very good message with the team about his high school coaching in the late 1970s,” Chesshir said.
“He stressed the importance of high school sports. He told them to enjoy their playing days and told them to chase their dreams of playing college ball too. He said they would make more memories in high school. He talked life to our kids,” Chesshir said.
Chesshir and Pittman met during Chesshir’s days of coaching in Jonesboro. “You won’t find a guy who’s more genuine and real. What you see is who he is in everyday life.”
Pittman’s visit “was neat. He has coached on a high level. Some guys at that level don’t want much to do with you, but Coach Pittman took the time to sit and visit” the players and the coaches.
Many of the Scrappers took pictures with Pittman after he spoke.
Pittman told Chesshir that he wants to come watch the Scrappers in action at a home game.
Bash
