Back to future for Minooka's Krakowski

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Cory Krakowski felt like he had stepped into a football wayback machine.

He was playing a position he last played with the Channooka Braves in the Pop Warner ranks and during his freshman and sophomore years at Minooka High School.

And he was calling on some old memories to help speed him up on a new learning curve.

Krakowski took most of the reps at quarterback for Minooka on the opening day of play Saturday at the University of St. Francis' annual 7-on-7 passing jamboree. Afterward, he spoke about stepping back in his football life.

He last played quarterback as a 13- or 14- or 15-year-old youngster. Now, he's playing the position again because of an injury to a teammate.

Returning starter Mitch Brozovich suffered a shoulder injury during the first week of baseball tryouts at Minooka. He later underwent surgery. And he's out until at least August.

Krakowski, preparing for his senior year with the Indians, was asked by coach Bert Kooi to make the move from deep safety to quarterback. His answer was an unqualified "yes" -- his mindset that of an individual willing to sacrifice a personal agenda for the good of the team.

"I've played quarterback before this, so it's not my first year playing quarterback," Krakowski said. "I played with the Braves. I was going to try out for quarterback here at Minooka on the varsity, too. I like the position. We had a good quarterback -- Brian Martin was an excellent quarterback. But, unfortunately, he broke his leg last year."

Martin's injury thrust Brozovich into the starting role as a sophomore. He completed 31-of-90 passes for 364 yards and gradually gained more and more confidence in himself as he gained a greater grasp on the Indians' offense system. He was expected to pick up right where he left off -- until a non-football injury set him to the sideline and sent Kooi scurrying to find a replacement -- at least on a temporary basis.

"It's unfortunate what happened to Mitch, but I think I can step into place and get the job done," Krakowski said. "I think it was more of a learning experience today. I could have had a better day. I'm kind of upset with the way I played -- at least at times. I had trouble with some of the throws. As a team, I think we were solid, but I think we need to hustle more.

"There were some things that (ticked) all of us off because we know we can play better. During my freshman year, I played quarterback. I broke my leg. During my sophomore year, I played quarterback and I got mono -- then in my junior year, I was moved to the deep safety position. So, it's been about a year and half. It's not totally new.

"They say deep safety is a guy who is going to talk a lot. So, yeah, as a quarterback, you need obviously to be a leader, even if you're not a vocal leader. You need to lead by example. And I think I could be a leader on this team, if that's what you're asking."

Krakowski will bring a different look to the Minooka offense -- if Brozovich's is unable to return.

"We'll see how the season goes," Krakowski said. "Mitch (Brozovich) has a very excellent arm. I'm more of a running quarterback. I've got better legs than I have an arm. I wouldn't be upset if I stayed at quarterback all year. I wouldn't be upset if they moved me back to the defensive side of the ball -- whatever's best for the team."

Kooi saw a silver lining emerging from the dark of uncertainty cast by Brozovich's injury.

"Whenever you're forced to use the depth that you have and forced to use maybe those guys that you went into the season not thinking they were going to be your guys and they are your guys, I think that can be a good thing," Kooi said. "Hopefully, you get those guys back and you're that much of a better football team. I don't know if Mitch Brozovich will make it back or won't make it back.

"But we're really happy with the progress Cory Krakowski has made in just the past couple of weeks. I think he's done some good things. And I think he's done some things where he and everybody else just shakes their head. But that's sort of what comes from stepping into a new position. He was a deep safety a year ago. So, consistency is the thing."

Kooi said the Indians are making progress following a 3-6 season and moving in the right direction, even if not always at the pace he'd like to see them maintain. He has hopes of putting a strong defensive unit on the field for their Aug. 28 opener at Glenbrook South. The 'D' will be led by third-year starter Brandon Haase, an inside linebacker.

"I think we've been working in the off-season and getting bigger," Haase said. "Timmy Meyer is huge. So, is Matt Powers. We're going to have a stacked linebacking corps. And we've got a bunch of younger guys coming up and showing what they've got, I guess. So, it's going to be good."