Mustang QB wants to support team even if he’s not playing
By Marc David Sports Editor
Gilroy – One couldn’t blame Matt Hemeon if he was thinking “not again” or “why me” during last Friday’s scrimmage with San Benito.
But that’s not in the character of Gilroy High’s senior quarterback. On Monday he leaned on his crutches under a warm August sun, keeping his weight off of his injured left knee and encouraging teammates as they practiced. While some of them may have been waiting for practice to end, Hemeon could only wish that he had to endure the heat.
For the second straight season, Hemeon is hobbled by injury. This time, he has what he “hopes” is a sprained knee. He won’t know for certain for a day or two.
At 1pm today, Hemeon will get an MRI on his left knee. It could be until Thursday before he finds out the extent of his injury. But he’s hoping to find out sooner than that. His attitude is positive.
He truly believes that this season will not end up like last year when he saw action in one play from scrimmage. Thirteen months ago, he was injured during the summer. It was discovered he had a tumor on his right knee.
“I believe things happen for a reason,” Hemeon said. “I know I can’t play ths week. I don’t know when I will be able to play, but I believe I will play this season. And I will come back stronger than ever.”
Mustangs coach Rich Hammond shook his head. He wouldn’t discuss the injury. He would, however, discuss Hemeon’s character.
“He’s such a good kid,” Hammond says. “I don’t have any kids but if I do I hope they are just like Matt.”
Hemeon promises that no matter what the outcome of the MRI, he will be there for his teammates the whole season. He said he will support quarterback Marc Vegas, who he was competing with for the starting quarterback position.
“It’s really important to me to show the guys that I am there for them,” Hemeon said. “Mark and I are really good friends so that’s not going to be a problem.”
Hemeon has support from home as well.
“We’re thinking it’s a severe sprain rather than ligament damage,” his mother, Margie Hemeon, said. “It could be just a week. It depends. It depends on the swelling.
“Last year was such a tough year for Matt.”
Dr. Anthony Abene will do the MRI today. And then Hemeon will await what he hopes is positive news.
No matter what, though, he will be a part of the team Friday when Gilroy opens its season at home against Burlingame.
