By Ed Muniz- Photos by Renee Kaspar
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase for 2 weeks at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p715219645 **
Mokena- Football, from college to youth levels has a yearly event that celebrates the return of former and current members of a community.
Homecoming!
It’s usually held in late September or early October, and includes a game, sometimes a dance and a party. Schools and organizations may have different activities for their Homecoming celebrations. Whether winning or losing the game, it is still a special, festive event to be part of year after year
The Mokena Jr. Celtics were in full “Party Mode” with numerous tents, decorations and coolers galore lining their football field on August 31 in celebration of their Homecoming.
The Menu for the 2024 Mokena had just one item on it; Football, Football, FOOTBALL!
All eight of the Jr. Celtics teams from 6U to 13u would showcase and perform against various visiting teams with hopes of becoming victors on this eventful day.
Beginning the days bevy of games at Main Park were the 6U Jr. Celtic.
The smallest of the Jr. Celtics team under Coach Matt Cesek leadership, was looking to make the Algonquin Argonauts their second victim of the season and no better time than their Homecoming.
Showing speed to the outside and a tenacious defense, the Jr. Celtics gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about during their 24- 6 thrashing of the Argos.
The scoring didn’t take long after the opening whistle. Powerhouse running back’ Logan Cesek was fleet afoot and took a handoff from quarterback Sebastian Kouba and outran the Argo defense to the edge, hit the right sideline and was off untouched, 65 yards for the touchdown and a 6-0 lead.
The Argonauts didn’t have much success initially on their first coup of rushing attempts on the following series due to the tacking of David Honkisz and Knox Kucala, however, a four down dash caught the Jr. Celtics defense flatfooted and went 55 yards to the endzone for the tying score.
Knotted at 6-6, the Jr. Celtics would regain the lead shortly after beginning the second quarter.
Once again, Logan Cesek showed his speed with another long run around the right end and didn’t stop until he reached the endzone 55 yards later, giving the Jr. Celtics a 12-6 advantage.
Defense carried the lead into halftime. The Jr. Celtics were giving up some yards but when needed, they came up with tackles for losses including sacking the quarterback.
Kucala, Jackson Baker, Camden Styx and Brantley Fischer who notched a couple tackles for losses including a sack, led the Mokena defensive efforts.
Earlier in the game, after giving up the Argo touchdown, defensive Coach Steve Styx gathered his diminutive defense and gave them a tongue lashing and TOLD them “That was their one, No More!” They listened for the rest of the game.
At this level, if at anytime a ball is fumbled while behind the line of scrimmage, the play is ruled down and replaced at the original line of scrimmage but cost you a down. There were several fumbles throughout the game.
The second half first play went that way for the Argonauts as it did for the Jr. Celtics to start the game.
Stops by Kucala, Fischer started the defensive stance for the Jr. Celtics but it was the efforts of Honkisz who made a touchdown saving tackle after a long Argo run, that kept the visitors from tying the game.
Fischer raced several yards showing off his speed and caught the Argo runner at the Mokena 11-yard-line.
From there, his teammates shut down and actually pushed the Argonauts further away from their endzone to force a turnover on downs. Tackles by Fischer, Ryan Sanders, and a pair by Baker were the reason.
After a 10-yard run by Kouba, entering the fourth quarter, Logan Cesek did his thing again, this time bashing his way up the middle into the clear and streaking 80-yards for his third touchdown of the game, upping the Jr. Celtic lead to 18-6.
The Argos had no answer for Logan and on the offensive side, had none for the aggressive rush of the Jr. Celtics, who once again forced a turnover on downs.
Making tackles for the Jr. Celtics were Sanders with three solos, including a forced fumble and Honszik.
The Jr. Celtics added one more score in the final quarter, Guess who?
Finishing off the scoring was Logan Cesek, this time running for a measly 35 yards on his forth touchdown of the day. “I was Juking some people, and I was scoring touchdowns, it was easy,” said Logan. “I try to run straight but sometimes I cut through. We had good blocking today. I like running more to my right to get touchdowns.”
Logan finished with 225 yards rushing on five attempts, scoring four touchdowns. Only once did he not score when he touched the ball.
Prior to the touchdown run, Kaleb Cloutier added a 10-yard scamper.
One of the defensive standouts was Knox Kucala. His defensive ability to be near the ball saw him making several tackles or assisting on some throughout the game.
“My daddy use to play and he teached me every day,” said Knox. “I practice tackling, I like tackling other kids the most and winning too. I don’t think I need to fix anything else.”
Another who didn’t stand out until the second half was on Jr. Celtic who was giving his all for a reason.
“I’m playing hard for my brother Jack, he broke his leg and can’t play anymore,” said Ryan Sanders. “I didn’t think I was doing too good, so I started to turn it up. I think we will do the rest of the year.”
“We have been preparing for the last several weeks and discipline has been good,” said Coach Matt Cesek. “Thank you to all the parents who brought some well-mannered kids to coach, it makes it a lot easier. Speed is the key and we have fast players but we couldnt doing without our offensive line either, so im happy with their play too. “
Speaking of Logan, Coach added, “Once we get him to the utside, its pretty much over. Coaching 6U, you teach the fundementals and see if they get it. Ultimately, you see how the kid is gonna be, how aggressive and natural talent he has, and they make their own way. I’m just putting them in the spots, they’re making the plays.”
Oher Jr. Celtics adding to the win with their play were Gannon Mathis, Colin Frainey, Mack Simon, Knash Hazdra, Liam Adent, Grady Fitzgerald, Kaleb Neylon, Vincent Luliano and Leonidas Christou.
Cheering on the football team and entertaining the home crowd were Lanie Ripoli, Lola Petrocelli, Willow Nebel, Harlow Ronk.
