By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Kathy Jones
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MOKENA—The most exhilarating part of carrying the ball is being chased by a defender who has no chance of ever catching up. For any running back, that is just pure thrill and elation, running free and knowing that the only focus is to stay upright, in bounds and never slow down.
John Skuzinski V gets a certain twinge and breathless excitement every time he hears the play known as “Washington Right,” a sweep to the outside that takes advantage of his quickness and open field running.
“I like to get outside, and utilize my speed,” he said. “Whenever they try to tackle me, I just make a move or get away.”
Skuzinski exploded for a game-changing 70-yard touchdown run in sparking the Jr Celtics 8U for the 14-0 victory over the Joliet Steelers in a Pop Warner League game at Main Park on Saturday, August 24.
He broke his run early in the first quarter as the Jr Celtics scored both of their touchdowns before halftime.
“I love getting the ball,” Skuzinski said.
The Jr Celtics proved up to the challenge of containing the talented and fast skill players from the Steelers. Ryder Dow personified the toughness, open and almost reckless playing style. Going up against runners significantly bigger than him, Dow showed no fear or hesitation in using his speed and quickness to disrupt the Steelers’ running game.
“They had some really good running backs,” he said. “Fortunately, I was just able to get in there. Everybody worked really hard.”
He finished with five tackles, many of them bracing open-field stops.
“I just lowered my shoulders, and I tackled them at the hips,” Dow said. “I think the defense did a great job of listening to the coaches, and doing what they were telling us to do. Everybody on the team tackled hard, and never gave up.”
First games are virtually impossible to predict given the long separation from the last live action. Leading up to the game, the players get tired of scrimmaging against each other. They are looking for a fresh start.
“The touchdown by John felt really good because we hadn’t scored in a long time,” quarterback Michael Comise said. “This was our first time being back on the field. It felt wonderful being able to get two touchdowns like that.”
The Skuzinski touchdown provided the necessary emotional boost, giving the Jr Celtics an early jolt and the confidence of playing with the lead.
The team dictated the tempo and pace of the game. The defense responded in kind, every once in a while bending as the Steelers made a big running play. Defensive lineman John Mackiney helped stabilize the interior line for the Jr Celtics. He provided pressure, and he helped blow up the Steelers’ attack. He had two tackles for loss.
“Everybody worked really hard, and we tried as hard as we could,” he said. “Their offense didn’t get any touchdowns, and we showed what we could do out there.”
Dow, Skuzinski, Paxton Kirk, Joseph Paciorek and Caleb Partin were the other defensive standouts who harassed the Steelers at the point of attack.
The standout defensive play helped offset some of the early struggles of the offense, which typically takes a little bit longer to cohere and come together.
A 16-yard run by Kirk on the second possession was foiled by a turnover on the following play. The Jr Celtics were also hampered by ball security and errant snaps.
Comise showed poise, presence and a sharp command of the game. He never lost his cool, even under pressure or dealing with some play to play adversity.
“I love that I’m able to throw the ball,” Comise said. “When you’re the quarterback, everything is in your hands, and you get to control the whole offense.”
Skuzinski’s huge six-yard tackle for loss near the end of the first half set up the insurance touchdown.
The fourth down play gave the Jr Celtics the ball at the Steelers’ 25-yard line. Things didn’t go exactly as planned, but the team found a way to make it work. A 15-yard blast by Skuzinski set up a first and goal.
Disaster seemingly struck as two bad snaps resulted in losses of six and nine-yards. Kirk was stopped for just two yards on third down. Comise and Kirk had other ideas in store.
On fourth down, Comise bought time in the pocket and hurled a ball to Kirk, who got behind the Steelers’ secondary. Kirk caught the ball in stride, and scored the 25-yard touchdown pass.
“Mikey said, ‘Please score a touchdown.’ I said I’ll score one for you,” Kirk said. “I work out and practice a lot of moves at my house. I’m always ready for a play like that. Mikey threw it up, and I caught it. “This was my first ever game, my first ever win, and it felt great.”
The score came with just 11.5 seconds before halftime. With the two score lead, the Jr Celtics could unleash their defensive forces against the Steelers.
In the fourth quarter, Joliet had one promising drive that started at the Jr Celtics’ 33-yard line. Paciorek, Partin, Mackiney and Skuzinski posted back-to-back tackles for loss that ended the threat.
“All it takes is the coaches to do whatever they can to make our team better,” Partin said. “We wanted to win the game for them.”
The Jr Celtics had many key contributors in the shutout victory over the Joliet Steelers. Those players included Finn Ward, James Short, Jr., Timothy Gena, Owen Miller, Hakeem Karim, Vincent Venegas, Hendrix Benard, John Drabeck, Corbin Caine, Ashton Bradshaw, Iacovos Christou, Rocco Macaluso, Jack Sanders, and Paul Herring III.
The Mitey Mite cheerleaders also brought energy, passion and support with their routines and enthusiasm. They were Marlowe Kokolus, Olivia Richards, Annabelle Osborne, Calissa Kanu, Gabriella Bal-Denton and Lily Burke.
