The life of an athlete can have its ups and downs.

Last week Lewis Cass senior Damon Foreman still had dreams of leading the Kings’ football team to its first state championship. Cass hosted Fort Wayne Bishop Luers in a regional game on Friday night, and the game came down to the last play in double overtime when Foreman, the Kings’ starting quarterback, was stopped one yard short on a 2-point conversion try as Luers went on to win in a classic, 54-53.

“We were hoping to get back to state,” said Foreman, who was the starting quarterback on last year’s state finalist team. “We had a good chance. That was a game we could have won very easily. If we would have won that game we’d be playing this week and maybe next week. It’s been a tough last couple days.”

To make things tougher for Foreman, he suffered a separated shoulder injury on his right throwing shoulder in Week 4 in a loss against Hamilton Heights, and he knew once the football season was over he’d be facing shoulder surgery and would likely miss the entire upcoming basketball season and possibly the baseball season.

He’s set to have the surgery next week.

“It’ll be a reconstruction of my shoulder,” Foreman said. “I separated it in the Heights game and just had to play through the pain the rest of the season.

“At times it hurt a lot, but during play I didn’t worry about it — just going on adrenaline. After the play it’d really hurt and I’d just try to shake it off. Throwing-wise it was fine.”

Foreman was hoping to be a part of a turnaround season for the Kings in basketball, but he has to sit out the lesser of his three sports because of the surgery. In the spring he hopes to return to the baseball diamond, where he’s a standout pitcher/second baseman for the Kings, who will have state championship aspirations after reaching the state finals last spring.

As for his return to the baseball diamond, Foreman said “probably not at the beginning of the year. Maybe at the end. I can’t say for sure. I don’t know all I have to do for my shoulder. I look to at least be hitting.”

As for his injury, Foreman said “the collarbone is separated from the joints. I tore the ligaments that hold the collarbone down. The collarbone is out of place. It’s pretty painful.”

Cass has had a long line of outstanding athletes, and football coach Scott Mannering said Foreman belongs on the list.

“He’s one of the best I’ve ever had,” Mannering said. “He did things this year and last year both that almost defied logic. He’d make a touchdown play out of nowhere. The thing I remember him for in football was he always played his best against the best teams. In the tournament he’d always be at his best and produce on the line playing against the best competition.

“It’s a shame he can’t play basketball. He’s one of the best guys there too. He’s a tough, competitive kid no matter what sport. He’s a winner.”

The following is a question-and-answer session with Foreman.

Q. Of the sports that you play, which is your favorite? Why?

A. I have always liked basketball, baseball and football. I don’t really have a favorite, but I have a special appreciation for football because I know how much my grandpa [Jack Cain] loves football.

Q. Do you have any family members who played sports?

A. My grandpa Jack Cain played football at Indiana State. My mom [Andrea] was a swimmer at Cass. My uncle Steve played football at DePauw. My uncles Matt and Mark Cain both played football and baseball at Cass. My uncles Mark and Matt Foreman played basketball at Cass.

Q. Who do you try to emulate in your life?

A. I try to emulate my dad [Dave] because he has a good work ethic which has made him successful in everything he does.

Q. What is something that not everyone knows about you?

A. I was born in Louisville, Ky., and moved to Walton when I was 5 years old.

Q. What is your favorite memory of playing sports at your school?

A. My favorite memory of playing sports at Lewis Cass is playing for two state championships in football and baseball.

Q. What’s your favorite music, movie, TV show, etc.?

A. Musical artist: Lil Wayne. Movie: Any Given Sunday. TV show: House. Book: Gym Candy. Team: St. Louis Cardinals. Athlete: Albert Pujols.

Q. What are your future plans after high school?

A. After high school I plan to pursue a career in the medical field while playing football or baseball.

Next week an outstanding athlete from Logansport will be featured.