Leo Skattebo, older brother of Giants rookie star, setting tone on the sidelines as assistant at Elmwood

BLOOMDALE — On Thursday, the New York Giants defeated the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 34-17 on Amazon Prime. Fourth-round rookie running back Cam Skattebo was the star of the game, rushing for 98 yards and racking up three touchdowns. After the game, Skattebo, along with rookie QB Jaxson Dart, sat postgame with the NFL's broadcast team to discuss the Giants' impressive victory. What followed was a fun display of celebration from Skattebo and Dart, headlined by when Skattebo and former quarterback-turned-analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick ripped their shirts off before yelling at each other and chest bumping while Dart led the New York crowd in chanting Skattebo's name. Less than 24 hours later, and much closer to Northwest Ohio, there was yet another reason to chant for a Skattebo.The 0-7 Elmwood Royals, under first-year head coach JT Bates, claimed their first victory of the season, a 28-11 over the Riverdale Falcons in Bloomdale. Elmwood's offensive coordinator is Leo Skattebo, the older brother of the Giants' fourth-round selection. Skattebo's high-octane offense saw its quarterback score four total touchdowns in what was a dominant display. Following the Royals' win, "Coach Skat", as he is affectionately called by his players, had the cooler dumped on him when the clock hit zero. In what is both Skattebo brothers' rookie seasons, they each found their first taste of success in the same 24-hour period. "He was actually the one who gave the pre-game speech today to these boys," Leo Skattebo said of his younger brother, Cam. "(He) kinda talked a little bit about their win (Thursday) over the Eagles, and what it means to be 1-4 and compete against a 4-1 team, and Super Bowl champs. To just go out there and compete and play your best game." "One of the things we've continued to preach to these kids is, while we're young, while we've got five starting sophomores and are starting a freshman, we can still go out and compete and play football at a high level to our best ability," the Elmwood assistant continued. "All season, it's been about that. It's been about the process, the day to day, stacking days on top of days. Today was just a culmination of those days, piling up and giving us the opportunity to win."All season, the Royals have seen success on offense, but it hasn't led to wins. As the season has progressed, Leo Skattebo has gotten the Royals' offense more and more opportunities to work on their game, and it all came together in Friday's victory. Coach Skattebo believes he has changed the foundation of this Elmwood offense and has helped give its players the mindset needed to put their best foot forward every week."One of the things that is really important to understand about Cameron, about myself, really about my family, is that we've always believed that we're culture changers," Skattebo said. "Cameron believes he's a culture changer, I believe I'm a culture changer. I have kind of stayed out of the coaching game. I'm 29 years old, I've been graduated from school for 7-8 years, played at Bowling Green, and didn't really know if I ever wanted to get into coaching.""I finally took the leap this year," he said. "I knew what I was getting into. I knew what the community had been through, I knew what the community had coming back, it's been a process. I think one of the things that I really appreciate about the Elmwood community is that the kids are fighting. When you're 0-7 on the season, it's really easy to implode on yourself. You know, really, at the end of the day, they were 0-17 with going 0-10 last year. It's extremely easy to implode; it's extremely easy to see things not going in the right direction. But we have such a strong group of strong-willed kids and strong parents that really support what we're trying to do here."The strength of the community and coach Skattebo's hard-nosed determination have made for a strong combination. Watching Skattebo interact with players and coaches on the sidelines, it's clear he's respected and appreciated at Elmwood, a place he reciprocates that feeling with. Skattebo's wife and her family are long-time residents of the Elmwood community. "Hopefully I'm here for a long time," Skattebo said. "I don't wanna be anywhere else, my wife grew up in this community. There's all kinds of high schools all over that I'm sure wouldn't mind Coach Skat coming over there. I'm here to be a Royal for the long run, whether that's with this staff, the next staff, it doesn't matter. I'm committed to the Elmwood community and making this culture physical and playing the way we played tonight long term."Cam Skattebo's performance against the Eagles, along with his pep talk to the Royals before the game, surely provided a spark for Friday's contest. But the Giants' rookie has been making an impact on this Elmwood team before Thursday Night Football. Two weeks ago, Cam donated $30,000 of football equipment to the Elmwood football program, once again helping to lay the foundation for the Royals' success. The Skattebo family has helped to reinvigorate a program that has had a turbulent few years. "Last night, all of our kids watched the game," Leo Skattebo said. "Most of our players watch the games, they all love Cameron. He's done a lot for them already. He buys snacks for the locker room, he's got them equipment, like I said he did the pre-game speech tonight. Cameron doesn't know these kids like that, he's doing it because it's his big brother. But ultimately, he's affecting lives, he's changing lives. Last night, one of the things that was special to me was the kid I grew up knowing, now everybody knows. He's such a good kid." "We talk every week," Leo said. "We speak every day, but we have a good conversation every week. One of the things about me, and the kids know this, and about my brother, now the NFL and the whole world knows this, is that we don't care about the record. We're here to play football, and coach football. At the end of the day, I'm gonna go 100-percent Monday through Thursday, and then I'm gonna coach on Friday. He's gonna go 100-percent Monday through Saturday and play on Sundays. It's how we were raised, it's how we are. I could be 0-10, but I'm going into Game 11 with everything we have. I'm gonna game plan the same way, I'm gonna prepare our kids the same way, and I'm gonna have the same intensity from that Monday through that Friday. We're not taking breaks. Every day is an opportunity to stack. He feels that same way. No matter what the Giants are doing, I know that Cameron is preparing at his highest level, and when he walks out on the field, it's game time. He doesn't care if the other team's 7-0, he doesn't care if they're 0-7, they're gonna have to feel him. That's how I feel as a coach."Seeing his brother go from third-string to starter isn't anything new for Leo Skattebo. It's something Cam has done time and time again, as he continues to prove that heart and determination are crucial traits to succeed in football. "I remember having a conversation with him," Leo Skattebo said. "I said, 'When you get your opportunity, you'll be fine.' And that's been the case everywhere he's went. He got to (Sacramento) State, he started third or fourth on the depth chart. He got the opportunity, he never came out. Went to Arizona State, with (Kenny) Dillingham basically telling him, hey, we're gonna give you a chance, but it's not your job. But once he got out on the field, he didn't come out. In New York, you're seeing the same thing. They've got a great host of backs there. (Tyrone) Tracy, (Devin) Singletary, Cameron. But when Cameron's on the field, you hear the stadium, you see the energy. That's just the kid I've always known. That's who he is. I think the NFL missed on the idea, I know there's the intangibles, and maybe he's not the elite speed, maybe he's not the biggest, but there's certain guys who change cultures. (Baker) Mayfield, Tom Brady, (Josh) Allen, I'm not saying Cameron is on that level, but what he is, is an energy spark. He's a culture piece, and I think that's something teams missed on. I think that New York is getting to live that."As both Skattebos continue to move along their separate paths in their football journeys, one thing remains the same. Their ability to set themselves apart and move forward with willpower and want-to has gotten them this far, and will surely continue to push both of them forward. While Cam's football career has taken him to the big city for the Giants, Leo has settled in as a powerful offensive coordinator in small-town Ohio. "That's something we've had in our family for a long time, it's given to us by our father," Leo Skattebo said. "Our mom is a really loving woman, our dad was a had-nosed cat. Cameron kind of got the best of both of those worlds. He's just a little more boisterous than I am, I'm a little quieter on the sideline. Cameron lets everyone know he's having a good time. I'm excited, though. I'm excited that the world gets to see Cameron in his truest form."Getting to watch your younger brother not only make it to the highest level, but also succeed in it, has been a special experience for Leo. But, he's also glad that the rest of the world is getting to know what he has always known, just how special and how motivating his brother Cameron can be. "Last night, if you had to ask me who Cameron was," Leo said. "On that Thursday Night stage, with Fitzpatrick, with Dart, that's my little brother. That's not a facade, that's not trying to be cool for the cameras. That's just who he is. He's a rip his shirt off, chest bump you, have a good time kind of guy. Everybody sees the crazy, the yelling, the wooing, and that's Cameron. But, Cameron also is the kid that would open the door until everybody's through. He's the kid that would help somebody out if they were down on their luck. He's just a really good person. To see him get to shine in the spotlight last night, was really special to our family."