By Randy Gregory
Kyle Short was poised for a big year in his senior campaign at Rockford High School. Having already competed at the varsity level for two years in both football and basketball, this was his turn to take the reins as the quarterback for the football team and as an all around specialist on the basketball court. The fall started ever so promisingly as glowing reports emerged from his performances at various camps over the summer. Blessed with unusual speed and a solid arm the senior was ready to leave his mark on the gridiron at the quarterback position after an excellent junior season as a safety.
Just before the preseason scrimmage came the disappointing news that Short had suffered a stress fracture in his foot and would miss a few games at a minimum. Sure enough, he was forced to sit out the first two contests before making a cameo appearance in the Muskegon contest. He was forced to miss portions of several other contests but it was obvious he wasn’t anywhere near 100%. But Short was one of the driving forces that willed the team to yet another semifinal appearance despite the limitations the injury forced upon him.
“It really limited the things we wanted to do with our offense when Kyle got injured,” said Rockford football coach Ralph Munger. “He just toughed it out but I don’t think people got to really see just how good of a quarterback he is.”
As the basketball season dawned there was some hope that with the little downtime between the seasons Short would be able to display the prowess on the court that he was deprived of during the football season. But when the opener dawned Short was once again relegated to the sidelines. Finally a brief ray of sunlight emerged as Short finally suited up for the L’Anse Creuse contest. But it was readily apparent that he was still ailing despite his best efforts to put on a brave face. He tried again in the Detroit Loyola game but again struggled with the physical limitations imposed by his injury.
This week at the Cornerstone tourney I spied a figure on crutches on the Rockford bench with a boot on. It was Short and I asked how long he would be out this time. As is his usual wont, Short smiled before he answered with his normal stoicism.
“I had to have a pin put in and the recovery is two to three months,” said Short. “That is going to keep me out for the rest of the season.”
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