Teammates were the bond that kept
Pieritz strong
By Marc Nesseler, Sports editor
November 23, 2002 10:01 PM
CHICAGO -- His last football game and high-school athletic career ended by Chicago Mt.
Carmel in a 48-20 Class 6A playoff semifinal loss, Rock Island senior Johnny Pieritz
tearfully stood to thank his teammates in an already emotional visitors' locker room at
Gately Stadium.
It was more than just a congratulatory thanks for a memorable, success-filled, 11-2
season. It was for more than making his last football endeavor lasting.
Pieritz didn't want to miss this last opportunity as he wore his No. 51 red-and-gold
jersey to thank his teammates for becoming father-like figures to him after his lost his
father, John, at the age of 64 to lung cancer during Johnny's freshman season.
``I'll never forget my dad's last words -- `Go out and have fun playing football,'|''
said Pieritz. ``That's why all those guys feel like family to me, from the hallways to the
field to the locker room.''
Pieritz recalled the strong bond that developed with his gridiron mates as his dad
spent his last days in the hospital.
``They were everything to me. They'd come as a group to help me and be with me in the
waiting room,'' Pieritz said. ``I think that's why God gave me football, to have these
guys resemble my father to me since I lost him.''
It's just a part of the bond among this large group of RI seniors that helped produce
just the third final-four achievement in the school's history.
``Before the season, the captains came up with the slogan, `United we stand,'|'' said
RI senior lineman Mike Leonard, who lost a 23-year-old brother midway through the season.
``We wanted that to be our theme. We wanted this to be a close-knit team.''
Actually, the roots of that closeness dates back to their junior-high days.
``We all grew up together,'' said senior defensive lineman Drew DeVore. ``We were
undefeated in 7th and 8th grade, and then undefeated as sophomores and juniors. We pick
each other up and play with so much heart.''
``The friendships were built as we were growing up,'' said senior defensive back Nathan
Gibbs. ``We've played together as long as I can remember. We know each other so well,
which is why we play so well together.''
Senior wideout Brandin Smith says he hopes the underclassmen took notice.
``I hope they keep this same kind of bond going,'' said Smith. ``It's how we got so
far.''
At the same time, Pieritz, too, was pondering his future. He outlasted most of his
teammates in taking off his jersey for the last time. Maybe he didn't want to let go of
what it had meant.
``These guys are like my father to me,'' Pieritz said. ``I don't know what I'm going to
do without them.''
The thing about friends and teammates, Johnny, is that the bond is never lost. And even
when they go in different directions upon graduation, the memories they've created never
fade.
Given the mark made by this special group of Rock Island football seniors, the smiles
will greatly exceed the miles.
Copyright 2001, Moline Dispatch
Publishing Co. |
