Pokorny puts name in record books

George Bailey doesn't have anything on Alex Pokorny.

The aforementioned character from the classic holiday movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," Bailey experienced a little bit of everything on the way to discovering that things were pretty good after all.

Pokorny, who guided Geneva's football team to the Class 6A state semifinals in 2004, has helped lead the Wheaton College football team to postseason play four years later.

But instead of throwing touchdown passes from his former quarterback's position, Pokorny now finds himself on the other end of those scoring tosses as a starting wide receiver.

Pardon the pun - but he has definitely caught on to the position change.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior hauled in 10 receptions for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns during Wheaton's 59-28 victory over Wabash in last Saturday's second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs.

His first TD catch last weekend was a memorable one as Pokorny established a new single-season school record with 16, eclipsing Mark Loeffler's 12-year old mark (15) set in 1996.

"It came on a 14-yard fade pattern," said Pokorny, who was well aware of the record-breaking possibility before the game.

"My roommate's a kicker who loves going through statistics," said Pokorny. "He informed me all week not to drop the ball."

One look at his numbers and you can see that Pokorny hasn't dropped many balls this season.

Through 12 games, Pokorny has made 69 receptions for 1,298 yards - an average of 18.8 yards per catch and 108.2 yards per game - with 17 touchdowns.

The first-team, All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection is a major reason why Wheaton (10-2) was in the snow Wednesday preparing for Saturday's 11 a.m. national quarterfinal clash with Franklin College (11-1) in Franklin, Ind.

"They brought out a snowplow for the field and it (practice) was a blast," said Pokorny. "For some of the guys, it was the first time practicing with snowflakes falling."

That Wheaton's national championship bid is still alive is nearly as amazing as Pokorny's transition from quarterback to wide receiver.

"We did not think we were going to be in the playoffs," said Pokorny. "We didn't even get together to watch the (playoff pairing) announcements. It has been like getting a second life. It has re-energized us completely.

"We've got nothing to lose now. I know all of the seniors appreciate having a chance to put on the uniform again. It's kind of the same thing that happened to our basketball team last year when they made the Elite Eight."

Wheaton began postseason play with a 14-0 triumph over Trine (Ind.) Nov. 22 as Pokorny caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Sean Norris.

While averaging 36 points per game, the Thunder has amassed 5,028 yards of total offense - 3,005 passing and 2,023 rushing.

"Sean (Norris) is a great athlete, we've got a great running back and offensive line, and multiple wide receivers who are threats," said Pokorny. "It has to be a tough challenge to play against us."

After earning two-time team Most Valuable Player honors at Geneva, Pokorny saw limited time at quarterback during his freshman season at Wheaton.

"I took a couple snaps and was the scout team quarterback," said Pokorny.

Before his sophomore campaign, Pokorny had a long talk with head coach Mike Swider about a possible position switch.

"Coach (Swider) presented me with the opportunity to move to wide receiver," said Pokorny. "He told me it was best for the team, which I cared about most, and also said it was my best shot to get on the field."

A few months later, Pokorny made the most of the opportunity in a game against Washington University.

"My first (career) touchdown came late in the game," he recalled. "It was a slant pattern and I just kept running. I wound up going 60 yards for a touchdown."

Pokorny now has 25 career TD catches and 2,021 yards on 105 receptions.

"I couldn't even have dreamed it up," said Pokorny. "It was has been such a fun collegiate career and a very unpredictable one. It has made the experience so much more fun."

Having an opportunity to play in front of his parents and grandparents has been an added bonus for Pokorny, who followed the Vikings' recent second-place Class 7A state playoff run and still keeps in touch with members of the coaching staff.

"Coach Wic (Rob Wicinski) has been a great influence on my football career," said Pokorny, who will graduate with a business degree next spring.

"And Coach Swider is one of the most inspirational men I've ever met. I couldn't have asked for anything better after graduating from high school."

No matter what happens for Wheaton College Saturday - it has been a wonderful football career for Pokorny.

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