By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – If Illinois Wesleyan’s 20 seniors want a glimpse of what like will be like after football, they can just ask their teammate Justin Krzeczkowski.
The junior from Lockport thought his playing career might be over after a gruesome injury in his he tore three knee ligaments and dislocated his knee in a game against Augustana last October.
He was told at the time he would be out at least six to seven months.
“Anytime you get a knee injury that significant you always think about what if my knee never recovers,” he asked. “What if I never feel the same? What if I can’t run anymore?”
Krzeczkowski rehabbed aggressively during the offseason with the help of teammate Chris Collins who was also recovering from a knee injury.
“Rehab is usually a lonely place, but for me it gave me hope to come back for this year,” Krzeczkowski declared.
Krzeczkowski has played in the last five games and has make 10 tackles, including three for losses, while inspiring his teammates.
“They rallied around (the injury) as soon as I did,” Krzeczkowski said referring to the Titans’ win at Augie last year. “It just goes to show how much they rallied around me in general even this season.
Tight end Quincy Butler is among the 20 seniors who will be playing their final game at Tucci Stadium on Saturday when the Titans host Elmhurst.
“I’ll make sure when I have that walk with my family on Saturday, I get a nice look around the crowd at Tucci Stadium, kind of take it all in and really appreciate what they program has done for me the last four years,” Butler said.
IWU coach Norm Eash said while the playoffs remain a remote possibility for the 7-2 Titans, he is reminding his seniors they are about to leave a legacy.
They are always going to be associated with this 125th (season) because they are the seniors,” Eash said. “We want to finish up strong here. We want to get this 9th game and get this 10th game. That’s the best we can do right now.”
The Titans and Elmhurst (4-3) have matching 3-2 marks in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
WJBC.com will have the game at 12:45 p.m.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
