CHANNAHON — Minooka senior Justin Shepard still gets headaches these days, but they are no more severe than the occasional headaches he has gotten throughout his life.

A few months ago, Shepard's head pain was more severe than he might expect from the worst migraine. He sustained a concussion, a fractured skull and some bleeding due to an accident during a backyard football game in early October.

When Minooka struggled in its first few events of the boys bowling season, and Shepard was sidelined and supposed to be out for several weeks, he had no idea that, by late January, he would lead the Indians to the state tournament.