By Francisco Avila- Photos by Lauren Gray
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p860229237 **
ORLAND PARK— In football, setting the tone from the opening snap can make all the difference. A fast start, whether it’s a crunching tackle or an early touchdown, can shift momentum and establish control.
That’s exactly what the Super Lightweight Orland Park Pioneers aimed to do on a sunny Wednesday evening at Sandburg High School on August 20, as they hosted the New Lenox Jr. Knights to a hard-fought 13-13 draw in their season-opener.
From the very first play, the Pioneers made a statement. Wren Rucinski opened the game with a powerful tackle that set the physical tone for the defense. Moments later, the Pioneers capitalized on a Knights fumble, recovered by Ethan Brandofino, setting up their first scoring opportunity.
The aggressive Pioneer defense was dominant through the early going and would be needed as the game went on.
The offense wasted no time. With two minutes left in the first quarter, Henry Wade connected on a precise pass, hitting Suhaib Ballouta for a 15-yard touchdown.
“That was my first touchdown of the season,” said Ballouta. “I heard my teammates cheering from the sideline. It was a 42 blast, I made a move, cut back, and took it 15 yards.”
The second quarter brought more defensive highlights. Vincent LaPapa made his presence felt with physical tackles, while Rucinski came up big again, delivering a crucial open-field tackle to stop a potential Jr. Knights touchdown.
“When I see the ball snapped, I just go straight to it,” said Rucinski. “I hit them as hard as I can to make the stop.”
Despite the early dominance, the Jr. Knights managed to punch in a score before halftime, tying the game at 6-6 going into the break.
The third quarter was a defensive stalemate, as both teams counter-punched each others offense with stellar defensive fronts, but early in the fourth, the Pioneers struck again. Wade led a strong drive capped by a 15-yard touchdown run from Royal Ward, who followed solid blocking to find the end zone.
“The blocking was perfect,” said Ward. “I just trusted my teammates to open up the hole and gave it my all.”
Wade added the one-point conversion, handing off to Ethan Brandofino to extend the lead to 13-6.
“We just have to execute,” said Wade. “Guys like Quinn McCarthy and our line need to hold their blocks, and the backs have to run hard, stiff-arm, and finish.”
The Jr. Knights responded late, tying the game at 13-13 with with a touchdown and extra-point conversion with five minutes remaining in the game.
Nearing the conclusion of the game, the Pioneer defense rose to the occasion one last time. LaPapa made a key tackle with under two minutes to go, followed by big stops from Rucinski and Ward to shut down the Jr. Knights’ final drive, thus preserving the 13-13 tie.
“Defensively, we coach guys like Vincent (LaPapa) to stay disciplined and fight off blocks,” said Head Coach Pat Richardson. “Vinny made some huge plays. He’s a state champ wrestler, he knows how to get gritty. And the twins, Cade and Wren (Rucinski), they’re tough kids. I thought everyone stepped up and played their hearts out. It was awesome to see.”
The Orland Park Pioneers Super Lightweight had many key contributors in the 13-13 tied game. The other crucial participants were Peyton Barbee, Mahmoud Abu AlShaikh, Stanley Bielawksi, Jax Thomas, Max Kalker, Logan Biskup, Ryker Tyrakowski, George Buffo, Joey Guest, Nicholas Vuolo, Kitai Hubbard, Noah Hammad, Mahmoud Hinnawi, Niko Scumaci, Sean Johnson, Michael Maurella, Dominic Dronzek, Abdallah Hasan, Henry Kruse, Shane McDermott, Thomas Richardson, and Jibreel Morrar.
