By TODD KRISE

t_krise@ncnewsonline.com

Imagine playing high school football with mononucleosis.

Impossible, right?

Neshannock High’s Chris Kirkwood proved otherwise.

The Lancers’ star running back played with the tiresome viral infection for the final six weeks of the 2008 season. He said he started feeling the effects during Week 4 against Laurel, but did not go to the doctor’s office.

“I was exhausted,” he said. “Every play was an experience.”

Kirkwood sprinted out of the gate last season, averaging 97 yards and scoring all five of his touchdowns in the first three games. But in the last six contests Kirkwood never surpassed 50 yards.

He also saw his weight drop from 202 pounds to 164. He would eventually miss a month of school after being diagnosed with mono after the season.

Now Kirkwood appears to be his old self again. He rushed for 222 yards on 35 carries and scored three touchdowns in the Lancers’ 35-0 dismantling of Kennedy Catholic last week.

The performance earned him the Lawrence County Athlete of the Week award, as selected by the New Castle News sports staff. The award is sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy.

The 6-foot, 195-pounder drove the ball through the heart of the Golden Eagles’ defense. The Lancers’ offensive line was getting into the secondary. And, like Kirkwood said, when that happens, “You know you’re going to break some big runs. (The offensive line) was just beating them to death all game, so I was able to get some plays.”

He scored from 35 yards out for his first touchdown and slammed into the end zone for two more scores from 1 and 4 yards out.

“He did an excellent job,” Neshannock head coach Pat Cuba said. “We gave him the ball and he did what he was supposed to do with it. We want him to get 3 or 4 yards a carry, every carry, and that’s what he did.”

“Last year, he had a good start, but he ended up getting sick,” Cuba said. “He never complained or said he had mono. It affected his performance somewhat, but he still went out and tried to give a 100 percent every time.”

Kirkwood, who never surpassed 12 carries in a game last season, must take a bigger role after the graduation of quarterback Josh Brown (now playing for Slippery Rock University). With Brown gone, Kirkwood is the Lancers’ main offensive threat.

“This year, it’s him and John (sophomore quarterback John Sansone),” Cuba said of Kirkwood. “He’s picked up a little bit more with John just trying to help him. Chris knows the system, being the second year he understands the it more.”

And what does Kirkwood think of that?

“There’s a little more weight put on my back,” he said. “Anytime you lose a guy like Josh, it’s going to hurt, but Johnny has been doing an excellent job.

“Anytime I get the ball, I’m happy. I try to make an impact; try to make some plays.”

Football is in Kirkwood’s blood. His father, Michael Sr., played guard and linebacker for New Castle’s 1982 team that went to the WPIAL AAAA championship game. Brother, Michael Jr., was a defensive tackle for Neshannock in 2007 and is looking to join Geneva’s football team next spring.

Kirkwood is hoping to gain playoff experience himself this season. The Lancers missed the WPIAL playoffs in 2008 after finishing fifth in the Big Seven Conference.

“First off, we got to start winning in the section and start beating some Beaver County teams and see where it goes from there,” Kirkwood said of his expectations. “We have the attitude that we can win.”

That process starts and ends with Kirkwood.

“He’s a good leader,” Cuba said. “He’s not a yeller or screamer. He does a good job of just doing the things he’s supposed to do. When guys get out of hand, he tries to reel people back in and make sure we all stay on task. On and off the field, he’s done a good job of that.”