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It was not so long ago that a lanky freshman named Luke Sutter could be seen lumbering awkwardly down the sidelines of Genoa’s Comet Stadium stuffed into a sumo wrestler costume and brandishing a mallet to beat on a traditional Chinese-style gong.
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| Luke Sutter |
Fast-forward three falls to the 2010 season, and the one-time “Baby Sumo” has morphed into a 6-foot-4, 240 pound two-year starter at right tackle.
“Yep, that was me!” chuckles Sutter of the “Baby Sumo” memory.
That has since been replaced by a first-team all-Suburban Lakes League offensive tackle, and an Alan Miller Jewelers All-Press pick following his first full season as a starter in ’09.
“That was definitely me as a freshman, and things have sure gone fast, and I’ve definitely come a long way, these last few years. But you know what, that freshman year was kind of neat really, because that was the year Coach Vicars and his staff came to Genoa, and that was a whole-new beginning for Comet football that I got to be a part of. I mean, I feel like I’m one of the lucky ones, you know?” Sutter said.
“I’ve had these same great coaches all four years of my high school career, and I think that’s made a huge difference in all I’ve been able to accomplish, because I know I wouldn’t be near the player I am today without them. They’ve always inspired me to work hard. They’ve always taught me to believe. And where as I used to be kind of timid, to the point where I’d stand in the background, and watch everyone else out there, now I’ve really become outspoken. I stand up for what I believe in. I’m a leader for this team, and that’s all because our coaches have helped me to grow.
“But to me, what’s also been amazing has been the support I’ve received from my older brother Ben, my dad, and the rest of my family, because not only have they always been there for me on the football field, but they’ve supported me in every sport I’ve ever played,” reflects Sutter.
His father is current Genoa Banking Company President Marty Sutter, a 1983 graduate of Genoa who played both tight end and outside linebacker for the Comets, and big brother Ben, who will go down as one of the best G-Town centers of all time.
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Genoa Lineman, Luke Sutter (50) looks for someone to block
during the Comets win over Eastwood. (Press photo by Harold
Hamilton/HEHphotos.lifepics.com) |
“I mean, they’ve been out there where I’m at, so they know what it is as players we’re going through week after week. They’ve played this game before, and they can see what I’m doing right, and what I’m doing wrong, and I think that has helped me. Plus, I’ve always looked up to Ben, and when I was a freshman, he was a senior, which was just an amazing thing to me, because really it was his class that first brought things together under Coach (Mike) Vicars for Genoa football,” Luke said.
“It was Ben’s class that took that first big step, and took our program from being nothing, to something in a hurry, and I got to see that firsthand. But really, on the field and off, I’ve always looked up to him, because he’s helped me become a better person. You know, he started the Fellowship of Christian Athletes during his junior year, and now I’m FCA president, so I’ve had some big footsteps to follow in, but they’ve been the right steps. And I think those footsteps have helped both me, and this team walk the right, successful path,” the Genoa lineman continued.
“But I think I’ve also been able to be as successful as I have because of all the players who have taken this journey with me, because each one brings a little something different to our offensive line table. Like left tackle Matt Keaton, who is just one of those tough-nosed kids who is so aggressive and goes all-out 100 percent of the time.
“And next to him, guard Evan Wendt, who is very talented, and who you can tell worked really hard in the offseason to be starting today. There’s center Nick Keller, who is only a sophomore, but who is just so amazing I think he’ll have a great career in the middle for Genoa, and then there’s right guard Andrew Hayes, who I think is just one of the toughest, most-talented linemen in the SLL on both sides of the ball, that I feel lucky having him on my side of the line, because working with him makes me better,” adds Luke.
“Though I think for all of us, it’s our fans and community that inspire us to be better players and people. At least I know it’s been the fans and community who have helped me to enjoy my time here at Genoa. Because it’s the community that gathers at the stadium, or in the gym every Friday night. It’s the community that genuinely cares about its Comet sports, its young athletes, and each other. It’s this community, and its people, that consider family and unity so important. It’s this community that we play for, and that’s why I love Genoa so much. I don’t want to leave here. This is my home. My home has made me into the person I am today, and I love this way of life.”
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