Wilson High School senior Josh Kocher (#64) is just 17-years old, but the Bruins center and team captain has been forced into manhood before his time.

It is rare that an offensive lineman gets the star treatment that a quarterback is used to receiving, but Kocher and his family have more than earned their praise.  While on vacation in San Diego on April 14 of this year, Kocher’s 51-year old father, Kevin, had a heart attack and later died at a nearby hospital.

“I was sitting in my hotel room at 1 a.m. and I heard my mom scream and I ran into their room and saw my dad wasn’t breathing,” Josh Kocher said. “I put my dad on the ground and gave him CPR for 15 minutes until the paramedics got there.”

Josh said he was in such shock that his father was ailing, because they had just finished an enjoyable day as a family and all seemed normal.

“I remember thinking he was going to be OK, but we went to the hospital and within 15 minutes, they came out and said he was dead,” Josh said. “I couldn’t believe my hero, the man who taught me to love football and somebody I did everything with was gone.”

The Kocher’s family strength shined brightest at their lowest point.

While grieving Kevin Kocher’s sudden death, Josh, his 15-year old brother Greg (#65) , and his mother, Judy, waited in a room for two hours with Kevin’s lifeless body, holding his hand, with each telling his spirit they loved him until a priest came to read Mr. Kocher his last rites.

“I am very proud of both of my sons for a lot of reasons, but at that moment, I needed Josh to be able to drive us home from San Diego to Long Beach, because I wasn’t up to it,” Judy Kocher said. “For a 17-year old kid to drive two hours right after his dad had just died is an amazing thing to do for his family.”

Kevin Kocher not only coached both Josh and Greg in football, but he took them fishing, hunting and to Catalina, and built an unbreakable bond with his boys.  Mr. Kocher was a devoted family man, and sadly, he and Judy would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this year.

“Kevin was a wonderful father and husband and we all miss him dearly,” an emotional Judy Kocher said. “But my boys know he would have wanted them to do well in school, work hard on and off the field and treat others with respect, so that’s what they’re doing.”

For 15-year old Greg, life has thrown him a curve ball that no one his age should have to deal with.

“It is finally sinking in that when I come home from school, my dad isn’t there waiting for us,” Greg said. “My mom, my brother, our family and friends have been really supportive and I am going to become the man he raised us to be.”

Josh Kocher not only dealt with this tragedy, but early in the season, the 6-foot-4, 265-pound center tore two ligaments in his ankle and yet he missed just one game.

“Josh is an unbelievable leader and is as tough as they come,” Wilson coach Mario Morales said. “His injury could have easily kept him out longer, but he knew we needed him and he’s been our rock all season.”

The Bruins finished with a 6-4 regular season record and will represent the Moore League as the No. 3 seed in a year that surprised many.

Morales credits Kocher with setting the stage for a Bruins running game that ground out over 1,500 yards in 10 games thus far.

Aside from a strong running game, Wilson also featured a 15-year old quarterback in Brett Harper, who hadn’t taken a varsity snap before this season.

“Having Josh in front of me has given me the confidence I needed to be able to do my job, because he is such a great center and captain,” Harper said. “Our whole offensive line has been outstanding, but Josh is the rock and is someone who does everything a great leader should do.”

Kocher is maintaining a 3.0 grade-point average and with the help of his family, teammates and two best friends, he’s been able to overcome a sleeping deficiency and is moving forward in life.

“Austin Rotell and Antoine Roy-Condron (a St. Anthony athlete) have been the greatest friends someone could hope to have and spending time with them and their support has made it possible for me to sleep normal again,” an appreciative Josh Kocher said. “I have been friends with them almost my entire life and they were both there when I needed them most.”

Rotell, a Wilson High golfer, said the privilege has been all his.

“Josh is as good a friend as I’ve ever had and to see him lose his dad and go through this has been devastating,” Rotell said. “Kevin was like a second father to me and he involved me in a lot of their family activities and I feel this great loss myself.”

Judy Kocher said that through this devastating period in her life, the Bruins’ parents have filled a huge void.

“The Wilson parents have become my friends and they make sure we travel together and sit together so I don’t feel alone,” Judy said. “It has meant a lot to me and has helped me to try and get through this.”

For Josh, his focus has been on his grades, his teammates and most importantly making sure he and Greg take care of their hero and mother, Judy Kocher.

“My dad would be proud to know we’re stepping up and trying to take as much pressure off of mom as we can, and I really believe he’s looking down on us and can see the great work he did as our father. I was watching television with him two hours before he had his heart attack, but I feel good that my last four words I said to him when he was alive was ‘Dad, I love you.'”

After the season is over, Kocher intends to continue playing the sport his dad taught him to love and excel at.

“I’d love to play Division I football, but I love the game and I want to play anywhere. I just wish my dad could see what we did this season, because he’d be so happy.”

Kevin Kocher lived just 51 years, but he left a lifetime’s impact on his wife and two boys.

“He told us to be nice to everyone, to help people whenever we could and to work hard,” Josh Kocher said. “My dad taught us to enjoy and appreciate life, and in time, we’ll do that again. But I just wish I could tell him I loved him one more time and that I promise to make him proud.”