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Lake Zurich's split backfield stays united in spirit

It has become part of every pre-game equipment check.

Shoulder pads on: check. Helmet secure: check. Mouth guard in: check. No. 26 written on wrist tape with thick black marker: check.

Keeping No. 26 top of mind is just as important to Lake Zurich running back Joey Stutzman as making sure he is safely suited up for another big game.

After all, Stutzman is playing for No. 26 this season. Literally and figuratively.

No. 26 is senior Kyle Roth, who is one of Stutzman's best friends, and his biggest mentor. Stutzman is not only playing in Roth's spot in leading Lake Zurich to a 4-1 record as its top rusher, he is also dedicating every game, every carry to Roth.

"Kyle is one of the biggest reasons I am where I am," Stutzman said. "What he has done for me has been amazing. And the way he has handled what has happened to him has been incredible. I don't know how he does it. I really (admire him for it)."

Roth was supposed to be Lake Zurich's featured running back this season, in the wake of rolling up more than 800 yards and 8 touchdowns in eight games last season. He would have been getting nearly every carry, nearly every scoring opportunity in the rushing game, and Stutzman would have subbed in to give him a break only on the rare occasions that he needed one.

But the very first time Roth touched the ball this season, on a kick return against Fremd in Week 1, he blew out his left knee.

Roth received a helpful block from Stutzman and was one defender away from returning a Fremd free kick (after a Lake Zurich safety) for a touchdown. But his knee gave out as he cut to maneuver past that last tackler. He fell to the ground.

A few days later, he was told that he tore his ACL, MCL and his meniscus and that he was out for the season, done for his high school career.

"My stomach dropped when it happened," Roth said. "I could tell right away that it wasn't good. I went to the sidelines and they checked out my knee and I remember feeling like I was in a nightmare. It was so hard just sitting there watching the game. I've never been upset more in my entire life."

The Lake Zurich coaching staff immediately turned to Stutzman to replace Roth, and he did so brilliantly. He rushed for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 carries against Fremd, leading the Bears to a 19-15 victory. His last touchdown came with five seconds remaining and was the game-winner.

It was a magical performance for a player who entered the season focused almost solely on his position as a starting outside linebacker. He had assumed that on offense he'd get virtually no action as a back-up running back to Roth, the superstar.

"This (injury to Roth) changed the way I see everything, that's for sure," Stutzman said. "I'm getting used to (a new role). I'm just trying to do my job and help the team the best way I can. I'm going to play wherever the coaches put me."

Stutzman, all 5-foot-6, 160 pounds of him, has rolled up 566 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season. He is averaging 113 rushing yards per game and is coming off his best game of the season, a 166-yard performance against Warren.

According to Stutzman, much of the credit goes to his offensive linemen: Josh Dyer, Billy Busse, Yianni Manousaridis, Ian Fitzgerald and Eric Brown, who consistently open up monstrous holes for him.

But Roth, who had surgery two weeks ago and is still on crutches, says that Stutzman deserves plenty of the credit, too, that succeeding under a baptism by fire situation is an impressive statement about not only his talent, but his mental fortitude.

"Joey has responded amazingly," Roth said of Stutzman's seamless shift from back-up running back to starter. "I knew the second I came out of the Fremd game that we were in good hands with Joey.

"He's 5-6 and the kid just refuses to go down. He is so tough. The amount of yards he gets after first contact is amazing. The yards he fights for is amazing. I think that's the kind of runner I was too, so I try to help him with that, and anything else he needs help with. I work with him in practice on things he can do better. I talk to him during games. The team needs him. I'm trying to do everything I possibly can to help him be a better player."

Stutzman says that it is Roth's attitude that has inspired him the most. He is motivated to play hard for someone who puts the team's interests above his own.

"Kyle's outlook on this whole thing has been phenomenal," Stutzman said. "He had his senior year taken away. He could have easily given up on football and this team. He could have said 'what I love most in life just got taken away, it's not fair and I don't care anymore,' but he hasn't been like that at all.

"He is trying to be a leader, he is trying to help me out. He tells me what I need to work on in practice. He gives me advice. I think Kyle looks at this as an opportunity to do something bigger and better for the team and I think that is so big."

Apparently so does everyone else, including the coaches.

Lake Zurich, which usually has three captains each season, recently added a fourth to the mix. The coaches just announced that Roth is now a captain as well.

"That meant a lot because it makes me feel like I still have a huge role on this team," said Roth, who is gung-ho about his therapy because he still has dreams of playing college football next year. "There are times when I have my moments, where it's really tough for me to be out (on the field) and know that I can't play.

"But when I see how well we've been playing, how can I be upset or sad. I'm so happy for my teammates. I just try to remind myself that this is not the end of the world for me, that I'll be back and I'll be playing again."

Until then, the tributes will keep coming.

Just as Stutzman writes Roth's number on his wrist tape for each game, other teammates write No. 26 on their biceps or on their uniform belts.

"Everyone knows what Kyle has done for this team," Stutzman said. "Everyone knows what he means to this team. He would have done fabulous things for us this season.

"It hurt to lose him, but I think it made our team come together. I think it made everyone want to play really hard for him. I think that's a huge part of why we've been successful this season."

pbabcock@dailyherald.com

Follow Patricia on Twitter: @babcockmcgraw

  Lake Zurich running back Joey Stutzman has motored right into the lead role after Kyle Roth went down with a season-ending injury in the first game of the year. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Joey Stutzman, Lake Zurich running back, has flourished as the main back in the Bears' attack. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Lake Zurich's Joey Stutzman, right, goes in for an interception during practice Tuesday. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Lake Zurich running back Joey Stutzman. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Lake Zurich running back Joey Stutzman runs with the ball during practice Tuesday. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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