JT Prusa is determined not to let anything dampen his spirit during his senior year at Coldwater-South Central High School. 

“At the beginning of the year we were able to paint our parking spaces,” Prusa said. “I put on there: ‘Enjoy every day. Make every moment last.’

“I’ve tried to do that the entire year.”

But it hasn’t always been easy. 

A three-sport standout, Prusa suffered a significant shoulder injury in preseason football practice. The injury forced him to change positions from quarterback to running back/slot receiver. 

He still thrived in his new spot, helping the Timberwolves go 11-1 and reach the state semifinals. 

However, it became apparent during the first basketball practice that Prusa would have to shut things down.

“I tried making a pass and (the shoulder) came out again,” Prusa said. “I talked to coach (Bud Valerius) and we thought that maybe it would be better if I got it fixed.”

Prusa underwent surgery to repair his labrum in January. 

“I had a few anchors put in,” he said. “It’s been a slow process but not too terrible. I’ve had two and a half months of recovery and I'm getting along OK.” 

A fierce competitor, Prusa has been chasing one last athletic goal. 

In an effort to play baseball for Bucklin/South Central before the end of the season, the right-handed Prusa has been teaching himself to throw left-handed. The plan is to play outfield when he returns. 

“Actually, it’s going pretty dang good,” Prusa said of throwing left-handed. “My accuracy is getting a little bit better. It started off really rough, but we’re getting there. I’m not throwing very hard, but it’s just something to be able to play.”

“I’ve swung a few times and it’s a little sore. Hopefully in a few weeks I can get my left hand to lead a little more. Kind of just got to ask the doctor on that one.”

Prusa, the CapFed® True Blue® Student of the Week, has helped the Timberwolves produce tremendous football seasons in each of the last two years. As a junior, he quarterbacked South Central to a state runner-up finish. 

This past season, Prusa flourished in his new position. Despite dealing with injury, he rushed for 1,089 yards and 24 touchdowns and caught 21 passes for 652 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

“During football season (the shoulder) subluxed a couple times, and I just kind of put it back in,” Prusa said. “The Ibuprofen and adrenaline would numb out the pain until the next day and then I was sore as crap.”

Prusa said he enjoyed helping mentor sophomore Easton Huck, who stepped up to play quarterback last season.

“It gave me the opportunity to teach him the ways to see the field and get the offense in his brain,” Prusa said. 

Prusa admitted missing out on basketball season was tough, especially with the Timberwolves making it all the way to the 1A Division I state title game before falling to Olpe. 

“I had a few rough nights,” Prusa said. “But I was very, very proud of the team, and Jack Herd for stepping up as a leader and helping take them to state. 

“Just because I wasn’t part of the success doesn’t mean I’m not proud of them. I’m very proud of them.”

And Prusa made sure to provide his support in other ways. 

“I was a student section warrior,” Prusa said. “I yelled so much. At the state games, my voice was gone.”

Prusa was a first-team All 2-1A selection in baseball as a junior. His passion for baseball is fueling his comeback attempt. 

“Baseball has been a very, very motivating thing for me in my life,” Prusa said. “My baseball coach is one of the best people I’ve ever come across. It’s just something I want to do for my last (season). I’ve got the motivation to get that last bit of competition.”

“He is not doing this just for himself, but he knows that he is a leader among his peers on the team and in the school,” South Central athletic director Tim Erickson said of Prusa’s drive to make it back for baseball. “He never has a negative look or attitude on his face and he is always looking for his peers that need encouragement and working to lift them up.  

“JT is the embodiment of what you are looking for in a leader, a friend and a peer.”

Prusa said it’s been rewarding to see the success of South Central athletics the past couple seasons. 

“It makes my heart happy,” Prusa said. “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been in the student section cheering on (the athletes). I saw them as giants as a little kid. Now I’m that age and doing the things that I dreamed of. 

“It makes me even happier that these underclassmen are so motivated to make themselves better.”

Prusa is planning on enrolling at Barton Community College and taking programs in construction technology and business management.  

“I’ve always really loved hands-on working since I was a kid,” Prusa said. “I’ve worked for Lehl’s Water Well Services so I’ve pulled wind mills and stuff like that. Just seeing things get done has been very motivating to me.

“I plan on coming back here and supporting the community as much as they’ve supported me. I want to open a small business and help out the community with construction. Maybe eventually get into coaching.”

As his senior year winds down, Prusa will continue to relish each moment. 

“I’ve been extremely happy,” Prusa said. “I know I’ve had a few setbacks, but I’m just looking to the future and trying to stay positive because a positive mind means a positive outcome.”