Stacks’ commitment extends past football

College football is all about commitment, but at the Air Force Academy, that word rings just a bit different.

For Cherry Creek senior running back Jayle Stacks, his pledge to Air Force meant not just a future of playing football but honoring the military tradition in his family. It’s a legacy that goes all the way back to his grandfather Charles, who served in the Vietnam War.

“It’s not just a four-year plan but a 40-year plan,” said Stacks, who has a sister in the Navy and cousins in the Air Force. “And it’s something that really made me want to commit to the Air Force.”

Stacks, who scored 27 on his ACT, announced his decision to attend Air Force last month after being courted by the likes of Colorado State, Northern Colorado, Wyoming and Columbia.

In his senior season with Creek, the 6-foot, 225pound Stacks has invigorated the Bruins offense with 642 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns.

Stacks’ work ethic is a trait he credits to his grandfather.

“He’s a hardworking man,” he said. “It takes a strong man to go to war and come out strong. He’s a great impact on my life.”

Whether it’s running, receiving, blocking, or even throwing the ball — as he showed with his 28-yard completion against Pomona last month — Stacks has proved he can do it all for a Bruins offense averaging 31 points per game.

“He’s a four-dimensional back,” said Cherry Creek head coach Dave Logan, whose team is 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class 5A. “He can run the ball with power in between the tackles. He’s got quickness to get the ball outside. He’s got exceptional hands out of the backfield, so you can throw him the ball. In pass protection, if you need him to stick his head on a linebacker, he’s more than willing to do it.”

Stacks’ versatility is reflected in the eclectic list of running backs that he grew up idolizing, a list which ranges from bruisers like Jerome Bettis and Christian Okoye to the elusive Barry Sanders.

But when it came to immediate influences in the game, he looked to his family.

Older brother Tristan, who played football at Denver East High School and later for CSU-Pueblo, was a huge influence. After watching his brother from the sideline, Jayle begged his parents to allow him to play pee-wee football once he was old enough.

“I remember my firstever run in pee-wee football was a touchdown,” Stacks said. “You’ve got to love the game of football. It’s the only sport where you can butt heads with someone and become their best friend afterward.”

As a four-year starter and two-year captain for the Bruins, Stacks has taken great pride in being a key ingredient for that winning formula.

“My coaches have taught me so much on how to be a better running back,” he said. “I think my time at Creek has allowed me to grow as a person and as a leader.”