Armwood’s King tears knee ligament

Posted Sep 25, 2010 by Bill Ward

Updated Sep 25, 2010 at 10:47 AM

Armwood senior A.J. King, the Hawks’ top receiver from 2009, is out for the season with a torn ligament in his right knee, coach Sean Callahan said Saturday.

King initially injured the knee in the Hawks’ preseason game against Middleton and he had been out of action until Friday’s game with Wharton. Despite wearing a custom-fitted brace, Callahan said the knee “shifted” when King went to make a cut running downfield in the first quarter.

Callahan said there is a possibility King could return to action in December if the Hawks are still alive in the state playoffs.

“If he feels good and and wants to play on it by then, we’ll give him the choice,” Callahan said. “Otherwise, he’s done (for the season).”

Earlier this month, King, who had 45 receptions for 728 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009 made a verbal commitment to Purdue University. In August, he injured the knee during a fourth-quarter punt return against Middleton in the preseason Kickoff Classic.

“It’s a bittersweet thing,” Callahan said. “We have people who can step up and take his place and as good as he is, we’ll be fine without him. I just feel bad for him because it’s his senior year and he’s such a great kid.”