Fenwick senior defensive tackle Mike Leopold said two events from the 2016 season serve as motivation every time he steps on the field.
The first is the season-ending 18-17 overtime loss to Plainfield North in the Class 7A semifinals, when an acknowledged mistake by game officials prolonged a game that would have ended with a Friars’ victory.
More Top Picks How To Request An Independent Educational Evaluation Iee
Second, is the broken right ankle Leopold suffered early in a Week 5 loss to Loyola. The injury caused Leopold to miss the next six games, before he returned for the state quarterfinals against Jacobs.
“I take both of those into consideration,” said Leopold, an Elmhurst resident who was a backup defensive lineman as a junior, but still received a solid amount of playing time. “I get out there and think about (last year’s) seniors and that (Plainfield North) was their last game. I play for them.”
Leopold continued: “When I got hurt, I learned not to take anything for granted. I just want to go out there and give it my all because anything can happen. If, God forbid, I did get hurt again, I want to have played every play 100 percent.”
The 6-foot, 250-pound Leopold appeared to be giving maximum effort on every play in Fenwick’s 41-14 loss to Loyola on Saturday in Wilmette.
Leopold, who starts at right tackle, had what Friars coach Gene Nudo called “easily his best game,” finishing with eight tackles, three assists and two pass deflections.
Nudo said Leopold is a bit of a hidden gem for Fenwick (3-2).
“Mike is an excellent player that really nobody knows about, because he’s just emerged,” Nudo said. “He’s a 260-pound kid, who is under 5 (seconds) in the 40. He’s just green. I think his best football is still ahead of him.”
Leopold, whose twin brother Anthony starts at right guard on the Friars’ offensive line, said he believes his speed might come from the somewhat unusual way he has always walked.
“I think it’s because I’ve always walked on my toes, and that kind of helps me,” Mike Leopold said. “Basically, I’m a toe-walker. My calves have gotten strong from that and it’s kind of made me fast.”
Mike Leopold continued: “My mom tried to get me off my toes (when I was young), but nothing worked and I grew up with it, and I still walk (that way). Being big and quick, maybe that’s (been) the secret.”
Though Anthony Leopold rarely gets to battle his twin brother in practice — they each play on the right side of their respective lines — he said Mike Leopold causes headaches for anybody who is lined up across from him.
“(Mike Leopold) is quick and positive, strong physically and mentally, just never giving up,” Anthony Leopold said about his brother, who is younger by seven minutes.
Both Leopold brothers hope to play football in college, and Anthony Leopold said that could mean going to different schools for the first time.
“Our parents (Tony and Carol) would like to see us together. But it might be better to go our separate ways,” Anthony Leopold said. “We’ve always been together and we’re going to have to split up sometime.”
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press