Gelter earns one last football game appearance in New Richmond
By Scott Springer • sspringer@communitypress.com • December 23, 2010
A center may be the most important player on a football team. Without a good snap and a decent block, an offensive play rarely succeeds.
Such a blow occurred to the New Richmond Lions in 2010 when projected starting center Zach Gelter was in a serious traffic accident in February at Nine Mile Road and U.S. 52. Gelter's vehicle was hit by an oncoming truck and he sustained serious injuries to his brain.
Fortunately, no broken bones were suffered, but the injury to his brain required a six-week stay in two different hospitals.
"Zach had to do some rehab in every capacity," said New Richmond head football coach Dan Scholz. "We found out late in summer that football was absolutely done for him."
After re-learning how to walk and talk, the news was devastating to the Lions senior. Despite that, Gelter refused to give up on his teammates.
"When he was told that he wasn't going to be able to play, he (still) came every single day," said Scholz. "He did everything he could to help our team win. He carried bags, he carried boards, he was there with the offensive linemen helping younger kids on technique and things."
Still, doing without the game he loved, particularly in his last year of high school, was difficult.
"It was the worst experience I've ever had to deal with," said Gelter.
The pain of not being with his fellow Lions was mentally as challenging as the long road he faced following the traffic crash.
"There were a lot of days when we first went out for practice that Zach left crying," said Scholz. "When we first went out in pads, he was all sad. Almost every Friday night, whether we won or lost, Zach was walking away with tears in his eyes overwhelmingly frustrated that he didn't get the opportunity to be out there."
As the season and Zach's health progressed, Scholz got an idea prior to New Richmond's Senior Night game in late October. The inspiration came from remarks Gelter had made himself.
"In his senior speech, he said one of the most proudest things that he gets to do is put his jersey on every Friday and go out with the team," said Scholz.
From there the plan was hatched to allow Zach Gelter suit up in jersey 64 one more time. Only this time, in full pads.
"We had to talk with his parents and get everything cleared," said Scholz. "We were going to put him in for our 'victory formation.'"
"It was probably the best surprise I'd ever heard," said Gelter.
Though it took a late turnover from Bethel-Tate to come to fruition, Gelter put the exclamation point on New Richmond's 7-3 league championship season with three consecutive kneel-downs.
"I had to move him back, I was afraid someone was going to hit him," said Scholz. "He was about 35 yards from the ball when we took our 'victory formation.' The crowd was cheering and the players were cheering. He got to come in and play in his senior year, so that was kind of fun for us."
