Support from the hometown crowd has led to back-to-back Fort Worth Star-Telegram Football Player of the Week honors for Cleburne High School’s Malachi Cunningham—and a first for the newspaper’s sports recognition program.

                Star-Telegram Sportswriter Brian Gossett attended the September 23 pep rally to personally present Cunningham with his Defensive Player of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week awards. Gossett said it was the first time in the six-year history of the program that a player has received back-to-back recognition.  

                Cunningham is also the first Cleburne Yellow Jacket to win Player of the Week, although CHS athletes are often among the candidates in the Star-Telegram Sports online voter poll. Each week throughout the school year outstanding performances by male and female high school athletes in football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball and softball makeup the list of candidates, with the popular vote determining the winner.  

                “This recognition is phenomenal, and a reflection of Malachi’s work ethic and desire to want to be good in the things in which he chooses to participate,” Jackets Head Coach Jim Woodard said. “I think the votes he received are also a testimony to the support of our community and the CHS and CISD staff, along with that of his family and friends. We appreciate that support for Malachi, and every time one of our student athletes make the Player of the Week list.”

                Cunningham, who is the only freshman on the varsity roster, says his personal game plan is to stay focused. He serves as a corner and slot receiver for the Jackets. He made the Defensive Player of the Week poll for two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, six solo tackles and five assisted tackles in Cleburne’s game with Killeen. In making the poll of highlighted offensive players the following week, Cunningham’s stats against Granbury included four catches for 234 yards, averaging 58.5 yards per catch, and two touchdowns.

                “I appreciate the people who have come up to say ‘good job’ and congratulate me,” he said. “This has been overwhelming in a good way. I’m really just focused on getting better day by day, working hard and not being content with my performance.”

                “My hope is for us to get better and get closer as a team,” Cunningham said. “That will make us a better team. We need that bond to get better and get us to the next level.”

                Cunningham is new to the game when compared to a lot of his teammates. He grew up playing baseball, which he considers his number one sport. He began competing in football in the sixth grade.

He comes from a family with lots of athletic talent—and roots in Yellow Jackets sports. His mother, Katie (Stepp) Cunningham, was a starter in Lady Jackets basketball, along with his aunts. His uncle, Ryan Stepp, was a member of Cleburne’s 2004 state semi-finalist baseball team and continued his career at the college level. His father, Tony, played football at Abilene Christian, and is the Special Teams Coordinator for the Jackets. His brother, Isaak, (CHS 2020) was a multi-year starter in Jackets football; his sister Jordenne (CHS 2022) was a leader in Lady Jackets basketball.

“I love being with my family—they are all athletes,” Cunningham said. “Every dinner table conversation will eventually come around to sports or a sports-related topic. We talk about pushing each other to get better—in everything we do.”

While he is just beginning his high school journey, the football-focused freshman aspires to compete at the college level. Academics, along with athletics, is also part of his game plan.

“Expectations are high in my family when it comes to academics,” he said. “I like English/language arts and reading—and I’m beginning to like Spanish. I would love to play two sports in college. But right now, it’s all about Jackets football.”