Photo by Valerie Mendoza
The Hastings High Football season is underway but without senior leader Izaak Hunsley who is out due to injury.
The Tigers hosted a football scrimmage on Friday, August 23rd. Hunsley went to make a defensive play, and as he landed on the ground, an injury occurred. Hunsley’s knee cap was dislocated, and he tore his MPFL Ligament.
“I jumped up trying to block a pass, and I came down weird. Nobody touched me, I just came down weird,” Hunsley said.
Although he is not playing, he continues to be the same leader he has been this season.
“During practice I’ll coach drills and be walking around chirping in kid’s ears and keeping them on task,” Hunsley said.
Coach Shoemaker has noticed Hunsley’s leadership, and he was one of the captains that won the coin toss in McCook.
“Izaak has been a big leader for us as a whole team,” Shoemaker said.
While he is out, adjustments will be made. The rotation of the four core receivers has been narrowed to three, and while there is more depth on the defense side, others will have to step up for now.
Even on the sidelines, Hunsley finds a way to impact the game.
“He did a really nice job at the game the other night. He sees things from the player’s point of view and relays that to the coaches,” Shoemaker said.
Hunsley wants to be back as soon as possible and is going through physical therapy to help the process.
“It should be 2-4 weeks, and I want to be back by the Gering football game,” Hunsley said.
Hunsley has stayed positive throughout the process and has received a lot of support from his teammates and coaches.
“I look out for them; they look out for me. It’s a family we got,” Hunsley said.
