11U Division 2 Jr Celtics come up short on Homecoming

By Kevin McGavin- Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill

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MOKENA—The momentum had seemingly shifted irrevocably in the Pop Warner early-season showdown Saturday afternoon in Mokena.

But Plainfield supplied the backbreaker to the Jr Celtics’ 11U Division 2 squad with a  63-yard scoring connection through the air to regain its two-score advantage.

The Jr Celtics’ principle offensive collaboration–the seamless connection between quarterback Rhett Johnson and wideout Ryan Ripoli–could not reclaim its third-quarter magic as the former had his long pass intended for the latter intercepted on what proved to be their last offensive play of the game in a 20-6 Homecoming loss at Main Park.

Seeking a second consecutive victory to start the season, coach Dave Brown shouldered much of the blame for the Jr Celtics’ defeat.

“We have to take accountability for our actions,” Brown said of his coaching staff. “This team has a plethora of talent. We’re not lacking talent at any position. We came into the game flat. If you don’t play team football you’re going to be on the losing side. It’s my job to bring the energy. I did not do that.”

The Jr Celtics (1-1) were seeking to jump start their offense on the  opening third-quarter possession after a fruitless first half.

Plainfield offered a gateway when its kickoff to inaugurate second-half play sailed out of bounds.

Suddenly, though, the Jr Celtics’ offensive thrust into enemy territory–the result of a seven-yard Johnson keeper to move the chains–was in serious jeopardy as the Saints had three consecutive stops to force a fourth-and-double-digit dilemma for the Jr Celtics.

Ripoli would provide an ideal remedy, though.

“The original route I was looking for was a post for No. 7, Billy (Guinea III),” explained the Jr Celtics’ signal-caller, “but then I saw no one was on No. 12 (Ripoli) and threw to him for the first down.”

“The (Plainfield) corner (tried to) jump (the route), and the safety was too far away,” Ripoli said of the do-or-die 24-yard catch and run that gave the Jr Celtics a fresh set of downs at the Saints’ 20-yardline. 

Following a presnap penalty, the Jr Celtics had first-and-goal at the Saints’ nine when Ripoli hauled in another 16-yard strike from Johnson.

“We’re a family,” said Ripoli, who finished with four receptions for 68 yards. “I got lucky with those two (conversions).”

Johnson was forced to momentarily leave the game after his first-down keeper left the Jr. Celtics seven yards shy of their intended destination.

“It was a little shock,” Johnson said of a hard hit he suffered on the play. “I think I got the wind knocked out of me.”

But Guinea III proved to be a most suitable temporary replacement.

On back-to-back wildcat runs, Guinea III reduced the Jr Celtics’ deficit to 13-6 with a one-yard touchdown keeper.

“I was supposed to run outside but saw some amazing blocks in the middle, so I decided to cut up,” Guinea III said.

Unfortunately for the Jr. Celtics, though, their attempt to reduce the deficit to five with a two-point conversion was sabotaged when the Saints blocked the traditional PAT kick attempt.

The Jr Celtics’ lone scoring drive consumed the first eight-plus minutes of the second half.

But the Saints answered all too quickly as their quarterback launched a deep pass down the left sideline that found its intended destination. 

The longest play for either team on the afternoon proved to be too much for the Jr Celtics to overcome.

Johnson had back-to-back completions to Guinea III and Ripoli for a combined 19 yards, but the Saints quelled the Jr Celtics’ final bid with their second interception of the contest.

“I felt at that point I could have done a little bit better,” Johnson said of his dangerous downfield throw to Ripoli against double coverage.

“We had an overall good day; we just didn’t come up with the W,” added Ripoli.

The Saints used a short field and the hard-to-handle skill set of their tight end to take a 13-0 lead into the intermission.

But there were some notable individual defensive efforts by the Jr Celtics to limit the damage.

Blake Schuler was not to be denied in recovering a first-and-goal Plainfield fumble from his linebacker position in the second quarter.

Kadeem Singleton is a mainstay on the Jr Celtics’ offensive and defensive fronts.

Singleton thwarted the Saints’ second one-point PAT pass conversion with a sack.

“Basically what happened is I’m coming off the edge,” Singleton said. “Our other defensive end, Jaxon (Collum), came out of nowhere to force the quarterback to come back inside, which gave me the opportunity to get the sack.”

One of multiple players to start on both sides of the ball, Guinea III made consecutive stops–including a four-yard loss–from his secondary position to force the Saints into a three-and-out on the opening possession of the game.

“I was watching their film,” Guinea III said of his intelligence work. “Those two plays were on the (Saints’ season opener). I knew where they were going and stuffed it.”

Barry Codero, Kaiden Powell, Geno Vosholler and Jake Tompkins served as the Jr Celtics’ game-day captains.

Brown is hopeful the looming return of wide receiver Tyler Gagan and tight end Rex Schultz will revitalize the Jr Celtics’ offense.

Liam Kruse, an integral member of the offensive line, also missed the Homecoming contest with an injury.

The 11U Division 2 squad returns to action in Darian this weekend.

The following boys comprise the remainder of the team: William Mikaitis, Vincent Bennett, Jadyn Brigham, Michael Lehnerer III, Michael Zanta, Brayden Ruth, Dominik Brown and Camden Dvorak.

Vivienne Andresen, Charlotte Fowler, Bevin Scanlon, Anais Nunnally, Eloise Morrison, Brianna Adair, Skyler Guinea, Luciana Kolenko, Gabrielle Migacz, Madison Varnado, Olivia Freyer, Ashlyn Woods, Charlotte Ozinga, Teagan Smith, Anya Stojak, Gianna Ponzi, Penny Oeser, Ella Dobbelhoff, Gianna Picciola, Mia Rhodes< Jessica Short, Chloe DiBennardi and Charlotte Mcdonald served as the Jr Celtics’ varsity cheerleaders.

Peyton Leo-Johnson, Dani Samanich, Vivienne Brunette, Madisyn Singleton, Brooklyn Firlit, Cora Smiley, Caroline Murphy, Kelsey Niemeyer, Mila Cox, Brooke Copack, Juliana Jachymiak and Lucille Nelson are the Jr Celtics’ sideline cheerleaders.