By Ed Muniz- photos by Renee Kaspar
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Mokena- The Mokena Jr. Celtics saw half of their teams hit the road in away games in week three of the Chicagoland Pop Warner Football League schedule.
For the 6U, 8U, 11U and 13U Jr. Celtics, another chance to play in the familiar feel of Main Park, Mokena’s home field, was a chance to once again use some home field advantage.
The smallest of the Jr. Celtics would be first up. So far this year, Coach Matt Cesek’s Jr. Celtics have been perfect.
Using a running game that likes to get to the edge, they have mastered running to the outside and asking the opposing team to try and catch them.
After dispatching their first two opponents, the Jr. Celtics would face their toughest battle to date.
Hosting the Naperville Patriots on September 7, the Jr. Celtics would square off against a similar team that also liked getting to the edge and was also unbeaten.
It turned out to be an emotional battle of words from both opposing coaches and saw the Jr. Celtics come from behind for the 18-12 win and remain unbeaten.
“Just a lot of hostility going on out there from two 2-0 teams,” said Coach Cesek. “They came to play, and we did too.”
When asked about the difference of play from the two halves, Coach Cesek added,
“We switch things around defensively to make some stops, once we got those stops, we were able to come back on offense and score. I’m happy how we played, the kids gave it 100%, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Mokena fumbled their first try offensively, from there they were off and running. Using Logan Cesek and Liam Adent, Mokena would score on their first possession when Logan Cesek took a handoff from Quarterback’ Sebastian Kouba, took off to his left and didn’t stop until he reached the endzone 55 yards later for the 6-0 lead.
It took all of one play for the Patriots to counter. They too have a talented backfield that is capable of scoring quickly and did, going 65 yards to tie the game at 6-6.
Tied after one quarter, the Jr. Celtics were in the middle of their second drive entering the second quarter. This time a fumble and two runs that lost yardage forced them to punt.
Defensively, the Jr. Celtics used the tackling of Ryan Sanders, Logan Cesek and Camden Styx to limit the Patriots and run out the first half.
The visiting Patriots took the lead to open the second half. A 65-yard run up the middle surprised the Mokena defense after Knox Kucala and Sanders made stops. The long touchdown run put Naperville up 12-6.
Now trailing, the Jr. Celtics were playing in unfamiliar territory, being behind.
Soon after, Logan Cesek evened up the game with his second touchdown of the game, going 60 yards for the 12-12 tie just before the third quarter concluded.
Stepping up their defense behind the tackling of Brantley Fischer, Cesek and Kucala, plus a sack by Sanders, the Jr. Celtics forced a turnover on downs and now looked to take the lead.
Three straight runs by Logan Cesek did just that. His final carry went 17 yards around left end for his third touchdown of the game, taking the lead at 18-12 with just over two minutes to play.
Mokena rode the defensive prowess of Sanders, Jackson Baker, Kucala, Fischer and Cesek to make stops and preserve the come from behind win and stay unbeaten in 2024.
Sanders became a force in the game as it went on. His play led the team in tackles.
“I got hurt is why I was crying when I came out and we were losing, so I wanted to get back in and start winning so, I went back and turned it up and started making those tackles and then we won. It was pretty good.”
Also adding to the strong defense was Brantley Fischer and Knox Kucala.
Tears flowed from Fischer once the game ended.
“They were happy tears,” said Fischer. “My quickness, my agility and my speed helped me make the tackles today. I can get better by being tougher every play too.”
Kucala also displayed tenacity in his play, making several tackles.
“Whenever I get on the field and they say hike, I run to where the ball is,” said Knox Kucala. “It was hard tackling their guys, they were pretty fast, Coach told me to watch 20 and 2 and I got both of them. I did pretty good.”
The win upped the 6U record to 3-0 in Chicagoland Pop Warner play.
“It was a good win against a tough team< said Coach Cesek. “Hopefully we can continue that and go through the whole season without any loses. The boys are just doing great.”
Others contributing to the win were Gannon Mathis, Colin Frainey, Mack Simon, Knash Hazdra, Brady Fitzgerald, David Honkisz, Kaleb Neylon, Kaleb Cloutier, Vincent Luliano and Leonidas Christou.
The Tiny Mite Jr. Celtics cheerleaders also gave their all during the game, performing along the sidelines entertaining the crowd. They are Lanie Ripoli, Lola Petrocelli, Willow Nebel, Harlow Ronk.
