Remembering King
By MARK JOHNSON
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mjohnson@morrisdailyherald.com
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| The Minooka football team has been celebrating the memory of former teammate Michael King Jr. all season long. The team dedicated its season to King, the victim of a drowning accident in May. (Herald Photo by Adam Nekola ) |
MINOOKA — Michael King Jr. is gone, the victim of a drowning accident in late May, but his memory lives on vividly for the Minooka Community High School football team.
Before the season started, the varsity Indians decided to dedicate the 2009 season to the memory of King, who was to be a senior defensive end on the team. The dedication is announced at every MCHS home game, and the Indians' roster page from Friday's souvenir program reads "Dedicated to the memory of Michael King" at the bottom of the page.
Cody Jones is, along with Brandon Haase and Kenny Smith, one of three seniors named a MCHS tri-captain prior to the start of the season. He was with King on the day of the tragedy, and fully supported the move to dedicate the season to his friend.
"Well, we pretty much decided to do it right away," said Jones. "The day after it happened, we got together as a team. Right then and there, we decided that this season is for Mike."
Haase and fellow Indians Nick Bleuer and Brandon Wozniak were also with King on the day on that tragic afternoon. Bleuer, Haase, Jones and Wozniak were just four of the many friends King had on the team and the MCHS student body.
"We used to hang out at Bleuer's house together all the time," said Wozniak. "So we were together a lot. We all miss him being a part of that."
MCHS football coach Bert Kooi not only had to ready his team for the upcoming season this summer, but he also had to help his players cope with King's loss.
"It has had a tremendous effect on the team," said Kooi. "In what way? To a large extent, it has brought us together. I think that is something nobody wants to go through, of course. As tough as it was on us, we all understand that it was much tougher on his family. I don't think it's something we talk about an awful lot, but it's always still here.
"Right before Plainfield North [which the Indians played on the sixth week of the season], we had a little night where we recognized his parents and said a few words. After that, it hasn't come up too much, but I know it is something the kids are very much aware of."
On the field, the Indians have honored King's memory by winning eight of the 10 games they have played. They earned a share of the Southwest Prairie Conference championship, and won a Class 7A first-round playoff game last Friday night.
"Oh, he would dig this," said Wozniak. "He was as into this team as any of us. He showed up every day with a great attitude. He was just a great kid. Watching us do this well for have made his day."
King's enthusiasm about the team was high, whether the Indians were winning or losing.
"Mike, he lived for football, and playing for us and being a Minooka Indian," said Jones. "Whether we're hanging out or doing stuff for the team, we miss him being a part of it. That's what he was all about, just being one of us and playing football for the Minooka Indians. That's part of our motto this year, to do what we do, and we're doing it for Mike."
Prior to the 2008 season, King moved away for a brief time, causing him to miss his first chance to play for the varsity Indians. He did play for the freshman and sophomore teams when he was at those grade levels.
"He went down to Mississippi at the start of our junior year, because he was having some family problems or something like that," said Haase. "When he came back around the second half of the season, he was so excited to be a part of it again. I know he would love to be part of [the 2009 season]."
Kooi is sure that King could have brought more than just a positive attitude to the table for the Indians. He likely would have shared time at defensive end with current starters Brandon Babic and Zach Colvin.
"First of all, he was a good football player," said Kooi. "He had long arms and long legs, was very athletic and could run. We were looking at him most likely playing defensive end. And he would have been a good defensive end. He at least would have added depth and given us more athleticism at that spot. The two guys we have, Colvin and Babic, still may have started, but in certain situations, Michael could have given us a different look at that particular position."
From his linebacker spot, Haase has led a Minooka defense which allowed five straight opponents to 14 points or fewer at one point this season.
"He would have mixed in good," said Haase. "We've got other good players at D-end, but he was a good D-end himself. He was very fast."
Football players can be replaced on the field. According to his teammates and coaches, Mike King Jr. cannot be replaced, on it or off of it.
"He was a good friend," said Jones. "He was always with us. If you had to ask him to do anything or be there for you, he was. And he was the guy that could always put a smile on your face."
King's death caused pain for more than just the football team at MCHS.
"He was an outstanding guy, a great kid," said Haase. "It wasn't just to us guys on the team. You could walk through the school and Mike was friends with almost everyone. Everyone liked him, and no one hated him. I don't think you could find one person that didn't like Mike if you tried."
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