AUGUST 2005

“He’s a tremendous leader. He’s a fierce
competitor; he was the heart and soul
of the team.” – COACH BRENDAN FLAHERTY
team and played both ways, defensively
at inside linebacker and offensively
at halfback/wingback. He earned All-
Area, All-League, All-County and
All-Metro team honors as a senior.
But most of all, he was known for
being the fearless leader of his team.
“He was a motivating force in the
locker room,” Flaherty said. “Guys
were more afraid of him than me. If
they didn’t do their job they were
afraid he’d get on them.”
Yono took his responsibilities as
team captain in stride. “It was a big
responsibility because teammates
looked up to me,” he said. “Anything
that goes wrong is on you.”
During Yono’s senior year, Groves’
season ended in the regional finals at
the hands of St. Mary’s, a game in
which Yono did not play due to a fractured
vertebra in his lower back suffered
in the previous contest vs.
Southfield-Lathrup.
Although his high school football
career didn’t exactly end the way he
may have planned, Yono has plenty to
look forward to at Saginaw Valley
State, where he’s considering majoring
in business.
“I’m committed to the game and I
have a lot to look forward to,” Yono said.
Yono’s high school coach also
believes there is a great future for him
in football. “I think it’s a great situation
for him,” Flaherty said. “He’s a
bona fide college football player and I
think he’ll do really well.”
Like most athletes, playing the
sport they love professionally is the
ultimate goal. Yono aspires to play
pro ball, however he understands
that dream won’t come easy.
“That’s the goal for every football
player,” he said. “I would love to play
in the NFL some day. I think I have a
good chance. I just have to keep
working hard.”
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Crystal Mountain, just 28 miles SW of Traverse City.
crystalmountain.com 800-YOUR-MTN
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AUGUST 2005 CHALDEAN NEWS 43