By Nate Thompson
LocalSportsJournal.com

KALAMAZOO – Western Michigan University isn’t close to changing its main campus name to “Mona Shores South” anytime soon, but there sure is a strong representation of Sailors currently residing in Kalamazoo.

And Damari Roberson, Jacob Wahlberg and Mark Konecny each followed a different path to become WMU Broncos, but a bond that ties them together is they’re each proud to represent their alma mater at the Division 1 level.

Damari Roberson (No. 4). Photo/WMU Athletics

“We learned (that work ethic) from Mona Shores,” said Konecny, a redshirt freshman, who is opening eyes on the WMU roster and coaching staff with his play at quarterback on the Broncos’ scout team. “I mean Mona Shores is known as a hard-working, blue-collar type of program, and learning how to compete each and every day definitely has helped me at this level.” 

Added Roberson, a redshirt junior linebacker, echoed Konecny’s sentiment. 

“It lets you know that Mona Shores is breeding great things,” Roberson said. “Shout out to my guys Coach (Matt) Koziak and (assistant Aaron) James. They’ve prepared us to play a high level of football. When I first got here, the speed and tempo wasn’t anything shocking. I mean, I grew up doing this. I love to do this.” 

‘Quit’ is not in Roberson’s vocabulary

There was a feature story on Western Michigan’s football page a year ago, highlighting the miraculous journey that Damari Roberson has traveled. 

The title was “1,811 Days: Damari Roberson’s Journey Back to the Field.” 

It’s a journey that no football player should ever have to travel, and one that a Bronco wouldn’t wish on their most-hated rival at Central Michigan University. Roberson has come back from three torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, two of which occurred when he was a highly rated wide receiver prospect at Mona Shores, and the third, when he was a freshman at WMU in 2019.

Not to mention, coming into Kalamazoo, he was also coming off surgery to repair a broken hand he suffered during his senior year at Mona Shores. 

Although he’s likely tired of talking about the past injuries, he can still vividly recall his third ACL tear.

Jacob Wahlberg (No. 8). Photo/WMU Athletics

“I remember I just told (former WMU football trainer) Sarah McBrien that my legs were feeling heavy that day,” Roberson recalled before a practice. 

Roberson, who was still at wide receiver at the time, was running a stem corner route, and on his cut out, he was nudged by the defensive back and his knee buckled. 

“It was bad,” he said. “My knee was in a weird position. Just a freak accident.”   

Surprisingly, Roberson said the most he thought about quitting football was after his first ACL tear, simply because he wasn’t sure how he’d recover. 

“Really, it’s more about the mental capability. How mentally tough can you be?” he said. “Just sticking to (the rehab) and getting past the tough days.”

Even after his second and third, Roberson said the thought of medically retiring from the sport was mentioned, but he never took it further than that. But there was a lot of soul searching, including some long conversations with his parents, mom Lakesia and dad Darece, Sr. 

“My mom and dad, they’ve been a key to all of this,” Roberson said. “They’ve always kept it real with me, even when I don’t want to hear it.  Through it all, they never brought up the choice of stepping away. 

“We had some talks around the dinner table. Some long talks. They asked me, ‘What do you want? What do you want to be remembered for? And those talks helped me realize that, ‘OK, I’m not going to go out as a quitter. I want to show my little brother (Demetri) that no matter how many times you get knocked down, you have to find a way to get back up.”

Mark Konecny makes a pass during practice at WMU. Photo/WMU Athletics

Roberson said he wouldn’t have been able to go through the excruciating rehab process a third time without a tremendous support system behind him, including McBrien, who he said pushed him every day, and his teammate and roommate, defensive back Keni-H Lovely.  Lovely, who hails from Boynton Beach, Fla., arrived to WMU coming off a shoulder surgery, so the pair relied on one another to motivate each other through the toughest times. 

“He’s one of my best friends today,” Roberson said. “No way I could have done it without him. He was my backbone.” 

On his road to recovery, Roberson also went through a position switch. Although recruited as a wide receiver or safety, WMU coaches, including defensive coordinator Lou Esposito, decided to move him closer to the ball at linebacker, a change that the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Roberson approved. With prior knowledge of route concepts and diagnosing offensive sets on the fly, Roberson said he feels comfortable now making defensive calls for his teammates at linebacker. 

“It’s almost a surreal feeling,” he said. “Because that’s something I envisioned myself doing when I was recovering.” 

And when he returned to the field last fall against Michigan State, Roberson said the 1,811 day wait made it even more special – and emotional. He recorded his first career tackle against the Spartans and he went on to play in all 12 of the Broncos’ games a year ago, finishing with 14 total tackles as a backup linebacker and on special teams. He backed up and learned a wealth of knowledge from former Bronco Zaire Barnes, who was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

This season, Roberson has jumped into Barnes’ starting spot and is currently third on the team with 48 tackles through eight games. He has one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Fellow linebacker and Mona Shores grad Jacob Wahlberg is close behind with 44 tackles. The Broncos (2-6) travel to Eastern Michigan University at 1 pm. Saturday in a game televised by ESPN-Plus.

Damari Roberson makes a runback during his days at Mona Shores.

Even now completely healthy, Roberson goes through a stretching routine after games and practices to ensure his joints and muscles won’t get tight. And according to his teammates, Roberson is not taking anything for granted. 

“He wants to prove to everyone that he’s going to do it,” said Mark Konecny, who is a backup quarterback at Western and a fellow Mona Shores grad. “He’s one of the hardest workers to come into the building every day.”

Roberson has one more year of eligibility remaining after this season and has some big goals in mind, including earning his degree in business. 

“I want to play the game at the next level. Most definitely,” he said. “Right now, I’m still fine tuning some things, just because I was away from the game for so long. But I’m feeling myself getting better every day.”   

Wahlberg finds a second home at WMU

Things were going right to plan for 2019 Mona Shores graduate Jacob Wahlberg at Purdue University. 

He played in a career-high 14 games at middle linebacker for the Boilermakers during the 2022 season, recording a career-best 41 tackles and one interception. Purdue also won the Big 10 West Division championship, allowing the Boilers to compete in the Big 10 Championship game in Indianapolis, where they were beaten by undefeated Michigan.

But the off-season was full of change, as head coach Jeff Brohm accepted the open head coach position at his alma mater, Louisville, and brought many on his coaching staff with him. Purdue filled the vacancy by hiring Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, and with his arrival, he brought an entirely new defensive scheme to West Lafayette.

Jacob Wahlberg gets in on a play when he played at Mona Shores. Photo/Eric Sturr

“The new coaching staff brought in a defense I wasn’t a fan of, so I just felt it was in my best interest to transfer,” said the 6-4, 235-pound Wahlberg. 

Wahlberg admitted he did consider following his former coaching staff to Louisville, but in the end, he found a better fit closer to home in Kalamazoo and Western Michigan University. 

“It’s been nice being close to home,” he said. “My parents can come watch me play a lot easier now. And it’s been a great fit for me as well. I really liked the coaching staff at Western. Especially coach (Lou) Esposito) and (head coach Lance) Taylor. I was familiar with Coach Esposito’s defense when they were recruiting me in high school. And Coach Taylor, although he’s new to me, he’s a good, young coach with a lot of energy. I’ve really enjoyed being around him.”

Although it’s been a challenge starting over and picking up the terminology of a new defensive playbook, Wahlberg said he’s adapting well. 

“They wanted me to come in and be that physical presence at MIKE linebacker,” Wahlberg said. “I’m also trying to take on a big leadership role and motivate the rest of the defense. Just letting them know that when it’s ‘go time’ it’s ‘go time.’” 

The fact that he’s been able to play next to former Mona Shores teammate Damari Roberson has been an added plus.

“Wahlberg, that’s my guy,” Roberson said. “When I heard he was coming here, I knew we’d have someone lining up next to me that I’d have complete trust in. No worries. He’s a general in the middle. Just let him roam from C-gap to C-gap and he’s going to take care of business. He brings that attitude to our defense. That juice and energy we need.”

Mark Konecny at the QB position back at Mona Shores. Photo/Eric Sturr

“Damari is someone that I’ve been playing with since middle school,” Wahlberg added. “He was in my same high school class, so it’s been awesome to have that connection. We definitely know what each other is doing. I remember before our first game (against Saint Francis University), we kind of just looked at each other like, and it was like a feeling that ‘It’s happening again.’ 

“It’s just fun to be able to play with someone at a high level that you have such a close bond with.”

Konecny proving he belongs in D1

Mark Konecny said it was always his dream growing up to play football at the Division 1 level.

Unfortunately, the recruiting interest was lukewarm following his senior season at Mona Shores in 2022.

“My recruiting film was limited so I only had a few Division 2 scholarships where I would have been able to compete for a starting job in my first or second year,” Konecny said. “But then Western came along and offered me a preferred walk-on spot and I accepted it. I wanted to chase my dreams. I’ve always dreamed about playing in front of big crowds in big stadiums at the highest level.”

One of the biggest challenges Konecny faced was adjusting from a run-heavy veer offense at Mona Shores to a Spread, Air Raid offense orchestrated by Western Michigan head coach Lance Taylor and offensive coordinator Billy Cosh. 

While getting acclimated has been challenging, it hasn’t been impossible. A key to Konecny’s development was working with a private quarterback coach named Ryan Van Dyke after Konecny’s sophomore season at Mona Shores. Van Dyke, who grew in Marshall and played quarterback at Michigan State from 1998 to 2001, was pivotal in developing Konecny’s skill set, including adapting to more pass-happy offenses.

Although being buried on a depth charter can be discouraging, Konecny has tried to be a sponge and soak up as much information as possible from the veteran quarterbacks ahead of him, as well as from the Broncos’ coaching staff. 

“Definitely the speed of the game has been the biggest (adjustment),” Konecny said. “Especially at the quarterback position, there’s so much you have to do even before the snap of the ball, just getting everyone on the same page. But I’ve learned so much about the game of football these last couple of years and it’s helped me develop as a player in a positive way.”

As a scout team quarterback, Konecny said he’s receiving encouragement – and often praise – from teammates and coaches every day.  Enough so that he believes he can contend for a starting spot in the next year or two. 

“Our coaches compliment me every day,” he said. “I know it’s hard going from a preferred walk-on to a starter, but they’ve complimented my work ethic and just how far I’ve come. They keep telling me to stay in the ring and not give up hope.

“I didn’t come to Western just to be a backup or be the leader of the scout team,” he added. “I didn’t earn a scholarship out of high school, but I’m here now to prove I deserve one. I’m working to prove I can execute as this level and prove I belong as a Division 1 quarterback.” 

Roberson said he’s been impressed with Konecny’s development from what he’s seen in practice. 

“Mark is doing a great job,” he said. “He’s really slinging the ball. We’re expecting great things from him in the future.”