By Miles Toogo- Photos by Renee Kaspar
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MOKENA – The main course of the Mokena weekend menu of games would see Dave Cercones’ 13U Jr. Celtics trying to rebound and get back on the winning column after a defeat in the previous week.
Hosting the Shabbona Park Saints, Mokena couldn’t have asked for a better opponent to close out the September 7 slew of games and gorge themselves with touchdowns in the 41-13 feast.
What was impressive about the way the Jr. Celtics came to the victory was how quickly the scoring became one-sided and the ability to score touchdowns in bunches with a little help from their foes.
“We were running flat for a little bit,” said Coach Dave Cercone. “I heard the boys talking with each other, the momentum was starting to build. It really came down to the leadership of the team, once one started talking, they all started talking and believing and that’s when it’s “Hold on to your Hats”, things are going to start rolling and you saw the perfect example of that.”
The second half saw Mokena come out and put the game without doubt.
“The boys came out all lathered up ready to go. Whatever play was called, they were able to execute it. We have things to work on, don’t get me wrong, but in this game, they were hitting on all cylinders,” said Cercone
With no scoring in the initial quarter, in a blink, the Jr. Celtics were up 14-0 and it continued the rest of the game.
Although Mokena scored plenty, it was the line play that was stellar and allowed for big scoring opportunities. The defensive back play was also performing at a high level and limited the Saints offense to a solo touchdown.
Among those performing well was lineman Liam Stanek. His size and blocking ability gave the Mokena backfield the time and openings needed for big plays.
“I think my size gives me an advantage against opponents, it’s harder for them and I don’t let them through,” said Stanek. “Mentally, I keep my head, I don’t let referees, opponents, anyone get in my head during the game. I stay focused on my job and do what I can to help the team do well, it lets me play harder and better.”
Stanek also felt he has room for improvement in all phases of his game but is happy how he is progressing.
Defensively, several players made big contributions in the stifling, winning effort. Among them was Anthony Aldworth and John Carter IV. Each helped turn the Saints offense innocuous.
Aldworth was explosive off the ball and was force to reckon with each Saints snap. His quickness and power secured him several tackles while also disrupting nearly everything headed his way.
“When I see the ball snap, I react but sometimes I bite on the fake and go after the wrong guy, I have to work on that,” said Aldworth. “We have a good, cohesive group of guys; they all work hard and have lots of heart and we think of ourselves as family. It’s the best part of playing here.
Carter used his speed as a defensive back to limit the Saints. He managed to be around the ball constantly and assisted on several tackles while also being able to cover the Saints pass attempts.
“In one of our last games, I failed to play good defense on one of the touchdowns they got, now I started going more towards the ball and it’s a lot more fun,” said John Carter.
“I’m comfortable playing corner on the left side but I probably could improve my jamming at the line and staying on the receiver plus reading where the ball goes. As a team, we need to improve our pass coverage although it was good today, they didn’t throw much but some teams do so, we have to be prepared.”
The game started with a turnover; Honor Montelongo recovered a fumble just four plays in after Elliot Roethie grabbed a pair of tackles in the Saints first series.
Mokena first possession saw them go on an 11-play drive that used up the remainder of the first quarter, but ultimately fizzled out at the Saints 9-yard-line.
Playing opportunistic defense, Mokena soon was back on offense after Anthony Adlworth’s hard tackle forced a fumble which was recovered by Kelly Slucki. A couple tackles by Roethie proceeded the fumble recovery.
On the next play, the Jr. Celtics found the scoreboard. A pass from Kalan McCarron to Dylan Fox went 44-yards for the touchdown and with Roethie’s extra-point, Mokena led 7-0.
The ensuing Saints series was short once more. After tackles by Aldworth and Dylan Fox, a hard tackle by Roethie jarred the ball loose and Henry Rettberg pounced on it for the Jr. Celtics.
Mixing it up some, running back Dylan Fox took a direct snap and connected with Slucki for 16 yards. Two plays later, a fumble snap was picked up by Roethie, racing 14, yards for Mokena;s second touchdown. Tyler Fox ran in the extra-point and upped the lead to 14-0 just like that.
Nearing the end of the first half, the Saints cut the lead in half on a defensive touchdown.
Quarterback McCarron dropped back and was hit, which saw him fumble the football. The loose ball was picked up and returned the other way for the Saints touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7 after converting the extra-point.
The one thing about this Jr. Celtics team is as long as there is time on the clock, they have a have a chance to score. They demonstrated that with :18 left in the first half and starting near mid field.
A McCarron pass to Tyler Fox grabbed 14 yards. With ten seconds left, an incomplete pass and a 25-yard completion to Tyler Fox saw Mokena tackled at the Saints 4.
Thinking the half had concluded, the Saints started onto the field and moved to one endzone for the break, but a time out was called with two seconds left, which gave the Jr. Celtics one more try.
With no time left in the half, Slucki scored around left end and with Chris Gravitt adding the extra-point, Mokena took a 21-7 lead into halftime.
Dylan Fox continued the scoring for the Jr. Celtics to open the second half. The stellar, elusive talent took a hand off and flashed into the endzone from 26-yards out for the touchdown. Slucki added the point-after for the 28-7 lead.
Another mistake by the Saints gave the Jr. Celtics another chance to increase their lead.
An interception by Maddox Sperry and a return of 49 yards had Mokena in the redzone. From there, McCarron connected with Dylan Fox on the 20-yard touchdown pass and a 35-7 lead now in the fourth quarter.
It wasn’t long before the Jr. Celtics were back on offense.
Turnovers plagued the Saints offense throughout the game. Once again, they coughed up the ball with John Carter recovering for the Jr. Celtics.
Continuing the scoring barrage, Roethie streaked 50 yards for the Jr. Celtics final tally and a 41-7 lead.
The Saints did manage to score one more time on a long touchdown run but mercifully, the game soon ended after their score with Mokena improving to 2-1 on the season after the 41-13 victory.
Other Jr. Celtics seeing game action in the win were Kayden Carter, Jeremiah Turman, Tegan Walsh, Michael Fryza, Ademide Bobade, Austin Palacios, Jaxon Chalupa, Christian Flores, Quinton Hoffman, Jack Fletcher, Henry Ambrose, Cameron Wade, Blake Roberts and Victor Lapointe.
Cheering on the football team and entertaining the sideline fans were the Junior Varsity Jr. Celtics Cheerleaders among them was Audrey Larson, Grace Corwhurst, Alexis Firlit, Raelynn Anderson, Vivienne Andresen, Riley Hoffman, Elle Dobblehoff, Skyler Guinea, Roe Lubovich, Mia Calleros, Charlotte McDonald, Emma Hamstra, Maleah Capadona, Charlotte Ozinga, and Gianna Kettwig.
