When Lincoln-Way Central’s Connor Pate needs an extra push, he just looks down at the tattoo on his arm that honors his late grandfather, Robert Burklow .

Pate is dedicating this season to his grandpa, who died last November.

“The tattoo has the day he died and it’s his handwriting,” Pate said. “This cross I wear is his, too. I do everything for him. That’s almost the biggest thing for me this season.

“It’s my first season without him, and it means more than anything to me to be able to be confident and play as well as I can for him.”

Pate’s performance Wednesday night would have certainly made Burklow proud.

The senior midfielder/forward scored two goals to lift the visiting Knights to a 2-0 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over rival Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort.

Chuck Steven

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