KIMBALL — Johnny Lenz plays football with a relentless motor, a hard-nosed playing style and a heavy heart. 

Lenz’s father, John Paul, died unexpectedly in January and the Kimball community lost a devoted husband, father and friend. Lenz also provided commentary on Kimball/White Lake’s football and wrestling livestreams.

This season, Lenz is providing highlight reel football plays with his father always in his thoughts. 

“I think about him every day,” Lenz said. “He’s what keeps me going.” 

On Oct. 10, Lenz shined in KWL’s 50-20 win over Gregory. Lenz logged 27 carries for 251 yards rushing and scored three rushing touchdowns. He added seven tackles, a fumble recovery and continued to play in his father’s honor. 

“It’s really special just showing out for him,” Lenz added. 

Early in the season, KWL coach Ryan Skluzak said playing without his father’s presence heavily weighed on Lenz. But he’s noticed a different approach in recent weeks. 

“It took a little bit to be able to step out on the field knowing his dad wasn’t in the stands,” said Skluzak about Lenz, whose younger brother Vincent is a KWL junior. “But about halfway through the year he started playing for him and you can just see the passion and the heart he has.”

Kimball/White Lake's Johnny Lenz carries the ball against Platte-Geddes on Sept. 12 in Platte. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Skluzak also praised the Kimball and White Lake communities for rallying around the Lenz family after John Paul’s death. 

“We are a big wrestling community, too, and between the wrestling community and the football community, they’ve supported him and his family,” Skluzak said. 

Skluzak added Johnny Lenz, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound running back/linebacker, is leading by example this season and is one of four seniors on the team. 

“He’s a quiet leader, but he’s a leader,” Skluzak said. “He leads in the weight room and obviously you can see what he can do on the football field. He’s just a man on a mission this year.”

Lenz is one of three dynamic running backs for the WiLdKats, who are 4-3 this season. Lenz regularly splits carries with Carter Konechne and Chevy Fees. On Oct. 10, Konechne rushed for 62 yards on seven carries and scored three touchdowns. Fees added 68 yards rushing and a touchdown. The WiLdKats rushed for 389 yards. 

Skluzak called the backfield a three-headed monster, and Lenz said it’s been important to utilize their strengths. 

“It’s awesome,” Lenz said. “Just the variety that you have just being able to swap people out and just use the speed and the strength.” 

Kimball/White Lake's Johnny Lenz carries the ball against Gregory on Oct. 10 in Kimball. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

Lenz lined up at Wildcat quarterback against the Gorillas, and showcased his skills in the open field. On a 4th and 1 play, Lenz took the shotgun snap and darted 50 yards for a touchdown. 

“This week was the first week showing it and I really do like it,” Lenz said about playing Wildcat quarterback. “We didn’t practice passing that much, but I did end up getting one off. The line is the heart of that right there.” 

Lenz also participates in baseball and wrestling, where he finished second in the Class B 144-pound class last season. Lenz uses his wrestling background to churn out tough yards, and said it’s helped him turn a short gain into a long run. 

“It’s just the conditioning and being 1-on-1,” he said about wrestling. “It’s pretty much you against the guy ahead of you. You just know what you gotta do to complete that goal.”

Up next, Kimball/White Lake will play Wolsey-Wessington on Oct. 17 to close out the regular season. The WiLdKats are riding a two-game winning streak, after dropping three in a row against conference powers Bon Homme, Parkston and Platte-Geddes. 

Skluzak said the WiLdKats have turned the corner at the right time of the season. 

“We can be a super scary team in the playoffs and we think this is a big boost for us going forward,” Skluzak said.