Arlington Cowboys win one for the coach
A youth football team that had struggled all season to put together a winning season suddenly found their resolve on Saturday, as they played in memory of their head coach.
Mike de Zonna of Arlington Heights passed away on Oct. 10 from a heart related ailment, less than a day after coaching the team during a regular season game and then working his shift in the concession stand.
He had coached the Pac 10 junior varsity Arlington Cowboys since the first week of August, and on Saturday they played their first game without him on the sidelines.
The regular season matchup between the Cowboys and Elk Grove Lions took place at Sunset Meadows field in Arlington Heights. Both teams removed their helmets and stood for a moment of silence before taking the field.
Teams around the Northwest Youth Football League paused to remember de Zonna before their games, including squads from Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg and Beach Park.
Players on the Arlington Cowboys more than 500 of them, from flag to tackle divisions placed stickers on their helmets in de Zonna's memory.
Saturday's game drew more fans than usual, with de Zonna's business colleagues from Reed Rigging in Chicago, family and former neighbors all in attendance.
“He had lived on my block, before they moved, said Mike Kelly of Arlington Heights. “What a terrific guy. He loved his family and he loved football.
Steve Lamick of Arlington Heights recalled how de Zonna worked with his seventh grade son, Dominick, to hone his skills as the team's quarterback.
“It's the first time he's played football, Lamick said. “This is the only coach he's ever had. They had a special bond. The coach and the quarterback spend a lot of time together.
The game took on added significance for de Zonna's son, Peyton. Wearing his No. 43 jersey the same number his father wore at Arlington High School and Western Illinois University where he played linebacker the eighth grader scored a touchdown and reached 1,000 yards rushing for the season.
“It had been his father's goal for him to reach 1,000 yards, said Bill Cleary, whose son Tom plays on the team.
The game proved to be a special one for the Cowboys, as they won 13-12 and improved their record to 3 wins and 4 losses. They will try and even up their record on Saturday, when they play the Palatine Panthers in the season's finale.
But de Zonna's efforts will not be forgotten. Officials with the Arlington Cowboys have set up a college fund has been set up for Mr. deZonna's children, with donations to the deZonna Memorial Fund being accepted at Village Bank & Trust, 311 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights.