By JON GARTEN

Salina Journal

Minneapolis football coach Jerry Mick believed he had coached Devin Knox for the last time.

The standout senior linebacker was unable to play in the Lions' final playoff game last season against St. Francis after he suffered from an undisclosed medical condition. Knox's absence forced Minneapolis to compete without the player Mick called "the heart and soul of our defense."

Minneapolis' 47-17 quarterfinal loss snapped a six-game winning streak and ended an 8-4 season.

However, the Shrine Bowl affords Mick one final opportunity. Both will be on the West sideline for Saturday's 35th annual all-star game at Emporia.

"When you take him out of the middle of the defense, and also he was my right guard, it made it pretty tough to go up against a big physical team like St. Francis," Mick said. "That was kind of nice that him and I both got to come to the Shrine Bowl. That way I could get at least one more game coaching him since he missed his last game."

The trip to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs was nothing new for Mick. He led the Lions to an 8-3 record and their first-ever playoff win in 2001 and returned as the team's coach in 2007 after a four-year hiatus.

Knox said Mick's return was instrumental in the Lions' turnaround from a 3-8 record in 2006. The coach emphasized the importance of accountability and structure during practice.

"I think we had more unity this year than before," Knox said. "Guys used to just do their own thing."

Mick said he took every opportunity to teach his players lessons about life and football. The whole team participated in leadership meetings and Mick challenged his seniors and team captains to take more responsibility.

But the turnaround was not as simple as attending a few extra meetings. The Lions started the season 2-3 with blowout losses to Ellsworth, Beloit and Sacred Heart.

"After the Beloit game in week 3, they throttled us pretty bad (46-7), we were able to look at the film and show clearly what we were doing wrong," Mick said. "Devin really took it to heart and took it upon his own shoulders to solidify the defense and do his job and his duty."

Knox led his team in tackles with 82.5 and sacks with six. He had 34 more tackles than anyone else on the team.

Knox has committed to play linebacker at Washburn, where he will join his brother, Cameron, a tight end for the Ichabods.

He is the first Minneapolis Shrine Bowl selection since 2001 when Drew Wedel made the team. However, Wedel was unable to play because of a knee injury.

Knox said he has been impressed with the competition level of Shrine Bowl practices.

"I'm not the biggest guy anymore," Knox said. "They're all good, and they're all tough. It's a lot different to go up against guys who are just as big or bigger than you."