News-Herald Senior Bowl: Lake Catholic’s Nick Simcak plays in grandfather’s memory

A week before Nick Simcak took the field in the eighth annual News-Herald Senior Bowl at Mayfield Wildcat Stadium on June 15, his grandfather, Steve, underwent open-heart surgery.

The surgery was a success. But complications arose while Steve Simcak recovered and he passed June 11.

Later that week, his grandson competed on the Blue team alongside teammates and coaches from Lake Catholic. Despite a difficult time for his family, Nick Simcak’s desire to participate in the game was easily understood.

“Just to play one last time with my brothers,” Nick Simcak said.

Simcak was one of six Lake Catholic players on the Blue team June 15. Simcak, D.J. Griffus, Kevin Conley, Cade Acitelli, Juan Tousel and Tanner Armao teamed up together for one final game. They were also coached by Lake Catholic’s Scott O’Donnell and a host of his assistants from the Cougars’ staff.

Simcak heads to Walsh University later this summer, where he will continue to play football. Also headed to Walsh is Mentor quarterback Tadas Tatarunas.

A week of practice culminated in the Senior Bowl on June 15, which afforded Simcak a final week of football with some of his high school teammates.

During the White team’s 7-6 win over the Blue team, Simcak recorded a game-high five receptions for 32 yards.

“It was very fun,” Simcak said. “It was a great time. There’s no other experience like this. One last high school football game.”