By Craig Pearson
TERRE HAUTE — Michael Nasser, even with his 5-foot-8, 160-pound soaking-wet frame, is the type of football player who doesn’t miss practice repetitions or much game action.
Terre Haute South coach Mark Raetz said as much after a recent two-a-day workout. But Nasser was forced from the field just before the biggest game of the 2007 season due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The senior defensive back had to miss the first-round sectional matchup against Columbus North.
Adding insult to injury, Nasser — a pitcher and outfielder for Kyle Kraemer’s baseball team — was rehabbing his shoulder throughout the spring when the Braves made a postseason run to the Class 4A semistate.
“It was awful to miss the season they had,” Nasser said, also commenting on the long rehabilitation that kept him from being cleared for a full workout until July 7. “It was terrible … rough.”
Nasser had surgery Jan. 3.
“[It] was a little more painful than he probably anticipated,” Raetz said.
But Nasser managed to be in solid shape when two-a-days began, and he’s making a “smooth adjustment” back to cornerback after playing free safety much of last season.
Nasser has also been a part of the Braves’ transition to Raetz, now in his second year with the program.
“We had a smooth transition last year, but now things should really be working,” Nasser said.
Raetz said Nasser will be a key component of a South defense relying on quickness to shut down some highly-touted MIC offensive players.
“We want to cause some turnovers, force some 3-and-outs. This year, I feel like we’ve got very good team speed on defense,” Raetz said.
Nasser has overcome his small stature, and has been inspired by Colts’ safety Bob Sanders, an undersized defender himself.
“It has its challenges sometimes, but I always seem to find my way through it,” Nasser said.
Nasser is a key leader, and has a positive attitude at
all times.
“Michael’s a great kid, he comes from a very good family, an A student,” Raetz said. “I never hear anything negative come out of his mouth. Never misses practice, never misses a rep. He’s not necessarily the loudest guy, but he’s a leader by example.”
Raetz started a tradition of having his players learn 10 reasons to play football. Nasser’s favorite one signifies his struggle to get back on the field after a painful injury.
“My favorite’s the self esteem,” he said. “Football’s a tough sport, and not everyone can play it. It makes you not only look good, but helps you learn character. When you get knocked down, you’ve got to get back up.”
