Keepin’ him on the field: GC gridiron trio shows support for injured teammate by wearing his jersey each week

By Cara L. Dempski

GLENWOOD CITY — Webster’s Dictionary defines teamwork as “the work or activity of a number of persons acting in close association as members of a unit.”

It’s a word Glenwood City seniors Jacob Kopacz, Jacob Nelson, Darian Multhauf and Carson Strong know well. The quartet are four-year members of the Hilltopper football team, and will run their final sprint races of their high school careers this next spring after having won a state championship this past June.

There is no denying the seniors know the importance of teamwork, including how important it can be to support one another through difficult times.

Which is why Kopacz, Nelson and Strong are taking turns wearing Multhauf’s number in games this year after he suffered a season-ending injury in Glenwood City’s first game.

The injured senior was selected as the Hilltoppers’ junior varsity player of the year as a freshman in 2014. Head coach Shane Strong saw nothing but excellent things to come for the young player, and was excited to see what Multhauf could do before the end of his high school career.

Multhauf was looking forward to the chance to test his skills each year too, but his talents were never put on full display. First he got hurt midway through his sophomore year, then he was injured late in the season during 2016, and then he was hurt on just the third play of 2017.

All three years, he suffered season-ending injuries. The disappointment could be harmful to someone without a support system, but that’s where Strong, Nelson and Kopacz come in.

The trio were close by Multhauf when he crumpled to the ground in the opening minutes of Glenwood City’s home and season opener against Frederic August 18. He instantly knew he was hurt.

“I just pretty much knew something was wrong,” he explained. “I heard it (his left leg) pop, and then twist and then I planted on the ground. I tried walking on it, and I couldn’t. I tried to get over to the sidelines, and I couldn’t. I pretty much plopped on the ground and knew it was torn.”

The torn part? His Anterior Cruciate Ligament, commonly known as the ACL, which is crucial to stabilizing the leg and knee.

His teammates admitted being worried about him when asked how they reacted.

“Yeah, definitely (we were worried),” Nelson said. “We come back from all that (injuries) last year, and then to see it happen again. I mean, it could happen to any one of us.”

Coach Strong recognized Multhauf would need support and understanding, which is why he asked his son, Carson, if he’d be willing to wear his track and football teammates jersey for the rest of the season.

“I think he talked to Darian about it, and asked if it was OK,” Carson explained. “Darian talked to him, but I don’t know exactly what he said to him. He (Shane Strong) asked me, and we were all track teammates on the relay, so us three decided to switch on and off between us at games because we’re pretty close to him.”

So far, Carson Strong has worn number 21 against Amery, while Nelson wore it against Elk Mound and then Kopacz put it on in Colfax. The three plan to continue alternating who wears it through the rest of the season.

Darian acknowledged the support of his friends and teammates has been welcome.

“I was at home after the surgery, and his dad (Carson’s) texted me and asked if they could wear my jersey on Friday nights. I said yeah, it would mean a lot to me to see them wear it to support me through this,” he explained, and then added with a rueful smile: “again.”

Kopacz said he was happy to support his football and track teammate by wearing his jersey.

“We know what it’s like sitting on the sidelines watching,” he finished.