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It’s always interesting to observe how a team or organization deals with the loss – usually through injury – to one of its star players.
The John F. Kennedy football team is dealing with that issue with the loss of star receiver/defensive back/kick returner Jacob Coates who broke a collarbone in Week 2 of the season against LaBrae.
The prognosis is he will be out 7 to 8 weeks after having surgery on Thursday. Kennedy coach Jeff Bayuk and his staff began making adjustments as soon as Coates was injured late in the game.
“From that point, obviously we had another corner that we put in and then this week in practice we worked one of our safeties at corner as well, and then he got hurt (Thomas Yanovich) in tonight’s (Friday’s) game,” Bayuk said after the Eagles’ 28-7 win this weekend over Girard. “He was actually one of the backup corners.
“I can’t tell you a name for who is replacing Coates, because we have a lot of kids playing a lot of different positions.”
That versatility is a given for a Division VII school like JFK. Players must be able to play more than one position.
“The kids are used to it, they know they have to learn to play multiple positions. Plus they know they have a better chance to get on the field, the more they know,” Bayuk said. “It makes them more marketable, if you will, for our coaches to use them.
“Dominic Scott, who was playing Sam linebacker tonight, has practiced at Mike linebacker, Sam linebacker, we even put his hand down and brought him off the edge this summer. All those kids are going to get a chance to play, it has to be that way at a Division VII school.”
Most people think of Coates for his offensive play, but he is just as valuable in the return game and on defense. One thing the Eagles will not miss while he is out, are his off-the-field contributions in the locker room, on the practice field and on the sidelines.
“I’ve got to give the kid credit, because he’s been at practice every day this week, except for the day he had surgery. He showed up at the game tonight (Friday) after having surgery the day before,” Bayuk said. “He’s a class act and he’s the type of kid that every coach wants to have on his team.”
On offense, Coates’ breakaway speed gives Kennedy the ability to score from anywhere on the field. The Eagles still will run reverses and counters to whomever is playing the wingback position, but it won’t be the same and opposing defensive coaches know that.
JFK still has a solid downfield passing threat in Hyland Burton and quarterback Greg Valent showed the ability Friday night to get the ball to open receivers.
But the guts of the JFK offense – the front line, fullback Ross Nocera and tailback Evan Boyd – will carry this team through the season. Bayuk has been known throughout his long career as a coach who is willing to play field position football, grinding out the yards and wearing down the opponent.
And with punter/kicker Justin Bofenkamp, the Eagles have a real weapon. He put three kickoffs into the end zone Friday night and will consistently out-punt most opponents’ punters.
And even though Kennedy is without Coates’ ability to score on any punt return, Boyd is no slouch in the return game. He and the rest of the Eagles are aware of what they need to do while Coates is out.
“Everybody on our team has to step up their position with him being out,” Boyd said. “We have a bunch of players on the team who can do it all and we know they’ll step up and make plays.”
In the end, the situation impacts the Eagles’ team, but more importantly it impacts Coates and his family.
“It’s very emotional for Jacob and his family. They are in our prayers,” Bayuk said. “I hate to see that happen to any senior, I hate to see it happen to any kid, but when it’s a senior and it’s a guy that’s one of the leaders of your team, it hurts more.”
Continuing to win and getting back to postseason will take the hurt away to some degree. Especially if Coates is able to return to the field come playoff time.