Post by Gene on Jul 26, 2009 9:51:34 GMT -5
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
No offense, but Brett Kolk realized there was somewhere he'd rather be than the Sovereign Center stands with his wife for the Reading Express opener in March.
Kolk, who started at nose guard for the Express for three seasons, seemingly ended his football career after Reading lost to Florence last July in the American Indoor Football Association Eastern Conference championship game.
But if his wife, Hollee, and four sons wanted to keep Kolk at home, they never should have let him watch the Express defeat the D.C. Armor in the 2009 opener March 13, especially if they knew a roster spot was being held open for him.
"I went to the game, I saw everybody and that was it," Kolk said. "I didn't have a peace about being done yet. The job's not done yet."
Kolk hopes to finish the job today and put an exclamation point on an incredible career when the Express (13-3) plays the Wyoming Calvary (13-2) in the AIFA championship game tonight at 7 p.m. in the Casper Events Center.
Kolk has been on winning teams since high school, when he helped Manheim Central to three consecutive undefeated regular seasons and three straight District 3-AAA championships from 1994-96. He has been to the playoffs in six straight indoor football seasons, the last four with the Express.
Kolk's teams have compiled a 107-28 record for a .793 winning percentage. But there was one thing pulling him back to the football field. All eight of his seasons ended with disappointing losses in the playoffs, including Reading's 2007 AIFA championship game loss to Lakeland.
"Sometimes it just doesn't work out for us," Kolk said. "It's a very tough pill to swallow. But you build off that."
Kolk, a 6-3, 290-pound nose guard, will take what he figures to be his final shot at that championship. He will try to pressure Wyoming quarterback Matt Strand and disrupt the Cavalry's high-scoring offense.
Win or lose, Kolk, 30, said he now is ready to retire and spend more time at his Manheim home with his wife and four boys, who range in age from 4-13.
"Right now as it stands I think this is going to be my last game," Kolk said. "We're going to try to get this thing accomplished. I want to go out on top and hopefully win this championship.
"I'm looking to capitalize here from all the hard work, Not just for me but for my family, for everybody, all my teammates. Everybody's put in a lot of work and a lot of time and dedication."
Perhaps no one more than Kolk. He makes the hour drive from his home to Reading three days a week for practices, which sometimes run until 11 p.m. Kolk then gets up around 5 a.m. for his job as an excavator for a construction company.
"You kind of get used to it," Kolk said. "I love the game; it's a lot of fun. And in the position we're in right now, it's even better."
The Express is in the position to bring the first outright professional championship to Reading in 14 years because of Kolk's contributions. That's why Express coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski held out hope Kolk would return even after he missed training camp.
"Brett has always been a big part of this defense with his demeanor and leadership on the field," Nowotarski said. "If you don't knock him out, he's going to keep coming at you."
During the Express' journey to Casper, Kolk was focused on today's game.
"I'm looking forward to it," Kolk said. "It's going to be a great experience to get out there and play. It's not every day you get an opportunity to play in a championship game."
When he looks over the Rocky Mountains Monday as the Express begins its flight home, Kolk's mind no doubt will wander back through the years.
"It's been a heck of a journey," Kolk said. "It's been a heck of a ride."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=149764