Ioakimidis big key for Elk Grove

Peter Ioakimidis considers himself somewhere in the middle with regard to leadership, both vocally and by example.

But Elk Grove football coach Brian Doll said there is no middle ground for the 6-foot-5, 290-pound right tackle when it comes to the team's fortunes.

When Elk Grove lost its only game this year in overtime to Barrington, Doll said Ioakimidis took it as hard as anyone on the team.

“He's very passionate about certain things and this is very important to him, what's going on right now, Doll said. “He cares so much and he's so emotional.

That's why Ioakimidis was so concerned a few weeks ago when he suffered a freak knee injury in practice.

But it was nowhere near as bad as he initially thought. After two games off he's ready to roll in Friday's Mid-Suburban East title showdown with visiting Prospect.

“I'm excited to come back, Ioakimidis said. “I was so scared when it first happened. The first thing I thought was it's over.

That would have been crushing for Ioakimidis and Elk Grove in a lot of ways.

He's part of an all-senior crew up front with Justin Cruz, Martin Kazecki, Sean Majer and Tom Jen that has given quarterback Nick Meyer room to run or time to find his array of skill threats.

“We're all seniors so we're all together, Ioakimidis said. “There is no separation between us. We're all really good friends.

Since Meyer is a left-handed thrower, Ioakimidis has the key protection responsibilities similar to most left tackles.

“He takes a lot of pride in protecting Nick and protecting his blind side, Doll said. “He gets really upset if Nick gets hit. I like that attitude.

It's even carried over to some work on the defensive side for the first time since he started playing football in the fourth grade.

“I was so happy I tackled (Schaumburg's) Shepard Little, Ioakimidis said of stopping the area's leading rusher in a thrilling 36-34 victory.

Playing offensive tackle is where he's always been since he's always been the biggest kid. Now he's more than just a big body up front.

“This year when you watch film he's one of the quickest off the ball, Doll said. “He's almost ahead of the snap and he anticipates Nick's cadence so well.

“Last year people looked at him as a big kid. This year he's a big kid who moves people.

He's also moving with the confidence that arrived midway through last season when he was part of a last-minute drive to beat Conant. Ioakimidis knew there was no reason to be nervous and wonder if he belonged.

Ioakimidis said he isn't sure if he wants to continue playing and enduring the constant physical toll from playing the line at the next level. He wants to be a social studies teacher and has picked up his grades this year to all A's and B's to go along with a 29 on the ACT.

So, if these are the final games for Ioakimidis, he's ready to do what he can to make sure Elk Grove keeps putting up big numbers on the scoreboard.

“I think we have a good game plan and the guys are following it really well, Ioakimidis said.

Following Ioakimidis is also a pretty good plan for Elk Grove.