SLIPPERY ROCK — This year, the wins were harder to take for Mike Regal than the losses.

That's because his bother, Jim, wasn't there to celebrate them.

Jim Regal was a commercial pilot who was carrying best friend Kevin Jesteadt and Lindsey Myers on a flight to Niagara Falls. Jesteadt intended to propose to Myers during a fly-by of the falls.

But at 9:40 p.m. Aug. 26, the plane disappeared from radar over Lake Erie. Authorities found little: seat cushions and an oil slick. There still was hope that Jim Regal and his passengers might be alive.

"I went up there to help with the search," said Mike Regal, a senior offensive and defensive lineman at Slippery Rock High School. "I was just heartbroken."

The football season was just a week away, and Mike Regal was looking for his missing brother. As time went on, the outlook became more and more grim.

Mike Regal, who had started since his freshman season, was contemplating leaving the football team.

But something stopped him.

"I was actually going back and forth about whether I wanted to play or not," Regal said. "I knew my brother would want me to play. He came to all my games. I did it for him."

A few months later, the wreckage and the bodies of Jim Regal and his two passengers were found.

Playing under extreme adversity, Regal turned in one of his finest seasons on both sides of the ball.

After the Rockets started 0-4, they reeled off four straight wins and were knocking on the door of a playoff berth before a 26-7 setback against Erie McDowell quashed those hopes.

Through it all, Regal was a standout on both the offensive and defensive lines.

That was proven in the postseason accolades he received.

He was named to the Class AA all-state second team as an offensive lineman and was named to the first team Butler Eagle Sweet 16 as a defensive lineman.

He also made the District 10 team on both sides of the ball.

"Mike Regal is the best two-way lineman I have ever had," said Slippery Rock coach Clyde Conti. "He will be playing for someone in college next season."

But Conti was more impressed with Regal's demeanor on and off the field as a leader.

He also admired the grace with which Regal handled his personal tragedy.

"He's a bright boy and his motor is always running," Conti said. "Going through what he went through — he showed a lot of moxie.

"I think Michael grew up a lot this season. He's one of those guys I'll be talking about for the rest of my life."

Regal entered the starting lineup in the second game of his freshman season and never left it. When his career ended, he had started 43 straight games.

His first game was at Wilmington as a freshman and perhaps his finest game came at Wilmington as a senior in a 3-0 win.

Regal and quarterback Ben Collins, were the only four-year starters for Slippery Rock and where mainstays in the lineup.

"I'm going to miss him dearly," Conti said. "What I will miss the most is his voice. He was like CNN — 24 hour non-stop talk."

Regal still doesn't know where he will attend college, but he said he intends to play football.

Jim Regal would have wanted it that way.

And Mike Regal may have plenty of options. He played offensive tackle and guard and lined up just about everywhere on defense. He also played a little fullback in the final game of the season.

At 6-foot-1, 230-pounds, he's not the biggest lineman, but he makes up for it with his speed and tenacity.

"When I talk to coaches and tell them I have played all over, they really get interested," Regal said. "I've been really working hard on improving my quickness, because that's what coaches are looking for."

Wherever he goes, Regal knows his brother will be with him in spirit.

"I know he there," Regal said, "and proud of me."