About two hours before Prospect’s 24-13 win against Deerfield on Friday night, Knights defensive coordinator Brock Collins challenged junior linebacker Adam Mekky during a team meeting.
Mekky, who describes himself as a blitz-heavy linebacker, had played fine football this season. But after recording 6.5 sacks during an all-conference sophomore campaign, the 6-foot, 180-pound Mekky had yet to pick up a sack this season.
“Collins said I’m finally due for a sack, and it would be huge if I came through,” said Mekky, who lives in Mount Prospect.
The sack arrived on the first play of Deerfield’s third possession. By that point, Mekky already had forced Deerfield junior quarterback Ryan Nagelbach out of the pocket and out of bounds for a 1-yard gain, and he had already recovered a fumble.
“He finally got off the schneid today,” Collins said. “I was giving (Mekky) a hard time because he hadn’t had a sack yet. He’s kind of my guy that I see a lot of potential in him. I’m constantly coaching that kid up, and he takes to it so well.”
Mekky helped set the tone for a Knights defense that recorded four turnovers and maintained a shutout for three quarters.
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Prospect senior Michael Shafis ran for touchdowns of 35 and 42 yards and picked off a pass late in the game. Junior Jack Friedrichs forced two fumbles, which were recovered by Mekky and senior linebacker Michael Cima. Sophomore defensive back Gary Moeller had an interception.
When Mekky showed up at practice before his sophomore season, Collins said the coaching staff had him pegged as a safety. Collins said it did not take long for that to change.
“The first day of practice, it was, ‘All right, this kid can hit.’ ” Collins recalled. “He comes and lays the wood. He’s a weapon out there for us.”
Mekky was a bright spot during a rough 3-6 season in 2017. Collins said Mekky is bigger, faster and stronger than he was last year, and he has a better understanding of the game.
“Personally, I (now) have varsity experience, which is really big,” Mekky said. “Also, working 7-on-7 and speed training have really helped.”
Though Shafis, the middle linebacker, might be the leader of the defense, Collins said Mekky is a vocal and physical presence on that side of the ball.
“(Mekky) is a leader, and the kids absolutely respond when he makes a big play,” Collins said. “When Mekky makes a big stick, that’s something that gets our defense going emotionally. We want him to continue to do that.”