Jahelka brings inspiration to Garden City

CICERO, N.Y. -- The final game of his stellar high school athletic career was over and Stephen Jahelka didn't even try to disguise his feelings. He dejectedly discarded his jersey and helmet. He shed a few tears. His voice cracked repeatedly. "I got emotional," the Harvard-bound Garden City defenseman said after an 8-7 loss Saturday to Jamesville-Dewitt in the state Class B title game. "It's kind of surreal . . . I'm never going to get on the bus with these guys again.

But Jahelka, who had been the Trojans' inspirational leader the last couple of games because he played through the pain of a serious ankle sprain that required arduous rehabilitation just to earn a doctor's clearance, called his teammates together one final time. "I told them I loved them," he said.

"If you told me at the beginning of the year that we'd be in overtime in the state championship game against Jamesville-Dewitt, I'd take it," Jahelka said of the Red Raiders and their two-year, 44-game winning streak. "Nine out of 10 times, we'd win that game. Unfortunately, this is the one we lost."

Garden City rallied from deficits of 6-3 and 7-5 in the third period to eventually force overtime on Patric Berkery's goal early in the fourth. "We held that team scoreless in the fourth quarter. As tough as this is, I'm so proud of the way we came back," Jahelka said. "You can't play this game with regrets. That's what I told them. This is the gutsiest performance I've ever been a part of."

Garden City coach Steve Finnell said he wasn't surprised that Jahelka would call the team together and deliver a parting speech.

"That's the kind of leader he is," Finnell said. "I've been very lucky to coach Stephen, [Tom] Gordon and [Brian] Fischer in football and lacrosse. Three very unique, very special kids. I feel so bad for them."