Hunzinger is committed to beating cancer
Liberty offensive lineman says he’s free of disease
When most of Arizona’s top football players sent their letters of intent to major colleges on Dec. 19, Peoria Liberty senior offensive lineman Zach Hunzinger held his own signing day in his home.
He pledged to beat cancer and posted his announcement on Twitter, like so many high school athletes do after choosing a college.
“Committed and signed,” it said, “to BEATING CANCER!! #50strong.” He signed his name with a yellow marker.
On Jan. 31, less than week before the traditional signing day, Hunzinger announced he was cancer free. He pinned the announcement to his Twitter profile, which has received more than 1,400 likes.
“It’s a big relief,” Hunzinger said. He will be done with his sixth chemotherapy cycle in two to four weeks. Then, there will be periodical scans and checkups to make sure the cancer hasn’t returned.
But he is now out of the woods, able to look at a life that got turned upside down a year ago when he was getting ready for what he figured to be his best year in football. He planned to lead the offensive line, get offers from Division I colleges and sign his letter of intent along with his best friend Ryan Puskas.
Instead, on May 3, after complaining about stiffness and pain in his left knee, medical tests came back that he had bone cancer.
Puskas, who signed on Dec. 19 with Pac-12 California, was the first person Hunzinger told.
“The first thing I told Zach is, ‘If you can make it through the night, there is going to be a brighter day ahead.’ ” Puskas said. “He took that to heart and was determined to beat osteosarcoma.
“He fought as hard as he could and never stopped. His hard work and dedication simply paid off. Although, there were ups and downs throughout his fight, he came out victorious and that’s what truly matters. Seeing him overcome a challenge like that just puts a smile on your face. I’m so proud of Zach and truly thankful that he beat cancer.”
Hunzinger took an aggressive approach with rounds of chemo. Surgery included a total knee replacement and seven inches of his femur bone removed. A rod and screws were inserted.
A day after the surgery, Hunzinger showed why he might have been the most overachieving player in coach Mark Smith’s program.
“I kind of overdid it,” Hunzinger. “They told me to walk one lap (on the hospital floor). I ended up doing like 15. I started out on a walker. The next day, I went to crutches. The day after that, I went with one crutch. By the time I got out, I was walking on my own.”
Hunzinger was able to get to most of Liberty’s football games, still keeping his captain role, and watched the Lions get all the way to the 6A quarterfinals before losing a close game to Gilbert Highland.
“He’s probably the strongest person I’ve ever seen as a kid,” said Megan Hunzinger, Zach’s mom. “He had to experience all of this at 17. He has really matured as a person. He handled it probably better than an adult would. He inspired so many people that he didn’t even know.
“He’s determined to play football.
Let’s see what happens.”
It’s been hard for Hunzinger to get on a rehab program because he was in the hospital having blood drawn for more tests every other day. Last week, he hit full range of motion in his leg.
Next week, he will see if he can run. “I’m pretty sure I can run now,” Hunzinger said.
He has started lifting weights. Even though his doctors don’t want him to play football because of the risk of fracturing his femur, Hunzinger doesn’t want to give up his dream. And he’s got an army of #50strong behind him.