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Knowles, starting fullback and college recruit, to miss season for Xenia
XENIA — Justin Knowles, Xenia High School’s starting senior fullback who was expected to be the team’s featured back and had a shot at a college scholarship, will miss the season after tearing several knee ligaments last Friday in the team’s final preseason scrimmage.
That’s the height of frustration, first-year Xenia coach Bob DeLong said.
Knowles suffered the injury during the first few plays of the scrimmage while being tackled. Knowles drove his knee into the ground, and he tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, DeLong said. Knowles rolled in pain following the injury, which was clearly severe from the start.
“When you have that injury, you can’t mistake it,” DeLong said.
Knowles had a strong junior season for Xenia, including more than 200 yards rushing against Miamisburg, and was scheduled to be the featured back in DeLong’s Wing-T offense. At 6 feet 1 and 220 pounds, Knowles ran 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash, DeLong said.
“We don’t have another one like him, let’s put it that way,” DeLong said.
The injury begins a greater uphill climb for Knowles to play college football. With a strong senior season, he likely would have earned a scholarship, but now his options are to work hard and either join a lower-level program or walk on to a larger program.
“He’s been working with the team, trying to train his backup,” DeLong said. “That’s the kind of guy he is.”
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By Douglas E. Willis
August 31, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
My prayes goes out to this young man. I wish him the best in his recovery. My pray is for you to get that college scholarship and play Div. 1 football. Good Luck Justin!!!!