By Mark Nesbitt
mnesbitt@themonroetimes.com
SOUTH WAYNE - Few teenagers have to deal with a funeral one day and then prepare for a WIAA Division 7 state championship football game the next.
That's the situation Black Hawk junior Mitchell Quinn is in. Quinn's grandmother, Judith Butler, South Wayne, died Nov. 6. He attended her funeral Sunday to pay tribute.
Before her death, Butler would attend every home Black Hawk football and basketball game.
"She would put everything aside to come to the games no matter what the sport was," Quinn said. "She had her own notebook and she would keep stats during the game. She was a huge Black Hawk Warriors fan and she will really be missed. It's a very tough loss."
As Quinn and unbeaten Black Hawk (13-0) gear up to play Bangor (13-0) in the state title game at 10 a.m. Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, he understands his grandma is still in his corner.
"I told her before she died that we were going to win (the state semifinal game) and we did," Quinn said of the Warriors' 56-8 win over Fall River Friday in Middleton. "Now, as we go and play for the gold ball, I know she will be looking over us."
He turned his attention to practice Monday and the preparation for Bangor.
"It's hard getting back into it," he said. "I know this is what she wanted me to do. I want to get the job done for her."
Quinn is a starting offensive lineman and linebacker for a Black Hawk team that has been one of the most prolific scoring teams in the state. The Warriors are averaging 51.3 points per game and 346.4 rushing yards per game.
On defense, Quinn is second on the team with 76 tackles. He has 3.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Quinn said he's not sure if the Warriors will wear a patch on their uniforms or sticker on their helmets in honor of his grandma.
"I'm sure we may talk about it later in the week," he said.
Black Hawk has scheduled a pep rally for the football team at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the gym.
Black Hawk coach Cory Milz said the football team extended their condolences to Quinn and his family during a tough time.
mnesbitt@themonroetimes.com
SOUTH WAYNE - Few teenagers have to deal with a funeral one day and then prepare for a WIAA Division 7 state championship football game the next.
That's the situation Black Hawk junior Mitchell Quinn is in. Quinn's grandmother, Judith Butler, South Wayne, died Nov. 6. He attended her funeral Sunday to pay tribute.
Before her death, Butler would attend every home Black Hawk football and basketball game.
"She would put everything aside to come to the games no matter what the sport was," Quinn said. "She had her own notebook and she would keep stats during the game. She was a huge Black Hawk Warriors fan and she will really be missed. It's a very tough loss."
As Quinn and unbeaten Black Hawk (13-0) gear up to play Bangor (13-0) in the state title game at 10 a.m. Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, he understands his grandma is still in his corner.
"I told her before she died that we were going to win (the state semifinal game) and we did," Quinn said of the Warriors' 56-8 win over Fall River Friday in Middleton. "Now, as we go and play for the gold ball, I know she will be looking over us."
He turned his attention to practice Monday and the preparation for Bangor.
"It's hard getting back into it," he said. "I know this is what she wanted me to do. I want to get the job done for her."
Quinn is a starting offensive lineman and linebacker for a Black Hawk team that has been one of the most prolific scoring teams in the state. The Warriors are averaging 51.3 points per game and 346.4 rushing yards per game.
On defense, Quinn is second on the team with 76 tackles. He has 3.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Quinn said he's not sure if the Warriors will wear a patch on their uniforms or sticker on their helmets in honor of his grandma.
"I'm sure we may talk about it later in the week," he said.
Black Hawk has scheduled a pep rally for the football team at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the gym.
Black Hawk coach Cory Milz said the football team extended their condolences to Quinn and his family during a tough time.
