Don't count Hulbert out

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:14PM

Back in early September, Proviso West football coach Famous Hulbert was involved in an auto accident that left him with a pinched nerve and deep tissue damage in his lower back.

He probably should be taking time off as he recovers, but that's about the farthest thing from his mind.

‘‘I'm not missing this season for anything,'' said Hulbert, who has to leave practice early for almost daily physical therapy sessions.

Who can blame him? After getting shut out of the IHSA playoffs until last season, the Panthers now have reached the postseason two years in a row. And they have done it out of one of the state's premier conferences and without a marquee player.

Proviso West (6-3) is one of four playoff qualifiers from the West Suburban Silver along with tri-champs Lyons, York and Glenbard West, who all finished 8-1.

Not bad for a team that graduated one of the nation's top prospects, current USC wide receiver Kyle Prater.

‘‘We proved to people we're more than just one player,'' said Hulbert, who is in his fifth season at the Hillside school. ‘‘The goal was to build a program.''

The Panthers are doing it by completely reinventing themselves on offense.

From last year's pass-heavy attack, they have switched to a run-oriented game.

Running back Julius Johnson has topped 1,000 rushing yards for the season, and quarterback Malik Thurman is within striking distance of that milestone as well.

‘‘[Johnson has] shown breakaway speed this season,'' Hulbert said. ‘‘He's made more big plays in the run game this year than all the other years combined [Hulbert has coached].''

Opening the way for Johnson and Thurman are guards Calvin King, a 6-4, 334-pound junior whom Hulbert expects to be a major-college recruit, and Jevar Glover, a 6-foot, 260-pound senior.

Other impact players for the Panthers include wide receiver Ryan Woods, who had a 237-yard game against Downers Grove North, and wide receiver/defensive back Rasheen Lemon, a returning state placer in wrestling and state qualifier in track who has a football scholarship offer from Northern Illinois.

But Proviso West isn't doing it on talent alone.

‘‘My seniors have put in more hours than any other class in the history of the school,'' Hulbert said.

That's one reason why their coach doesn't want to miss a moment of this landmark season.

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