Refreshing to hear at least one ex-Hurricane is rooting for Central Catholic

FROM KEITH GROLLER

One of the things about the competitiveness and rivalries of the Lehigh Valley Conference is that you don't often see a lot of camaraderie when one team goes deep into the state tournament.

In fact, too many times, you see the opposite and fans, players and, even some coaches, rooting against their rivals.

I don't condone it, but I understand it, to a certain extent. If you can't win it all, you don't want your neighor to win it either. It's human nature. And pure jealousy.

So, it was refreshing to me to hear that Daryl Klotz, a member of Liberty's 2008 4A state championship team, was pulling for Central Catholic.

I talked to Klotz (No. 32 below) on Monday night after he was trying out for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks indoor football team.


Klotz was a tough football player. I remember he was nicknamed "Colonel Klotz." Things haven't worked out for him in terms of a college career, but I'd love to see him, and other local guys, make the Steelhawks team. It would make that franchise a lot more attractive to me and others.

Anyway, the subject turned to two years ago with Klotz.

"That was the best time of my life," he said. "I hope Central can do it. I've been to a couple of their games and they're like a family, just like we were two years ago. I am rooting for them because I love to see people from the Lehigh Valley do well."

Klotz has a brother, Andrew, on the current Liberty team. And he has another brother Loudon, who will be a Liberty freshman next year.

Klotz said he said he remembers everything about Liberty's state-title run, including the tears.

"When we won it we had a great feeling of joy," Klotz said. "You never forget that. I remember every part of it. It was a thrill of a lifetime.That's why I hope that Central can do it as well."

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/