By Ed Muniz-Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase for 2 weeks at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p275327287 **
Great teams and great athletes love competing against others they feel will challenge them.
The competitive nature within them craves competition, they want to be tested.
It’s a way of comparison and a check on the level your abilities are at. You ‘ll know where you or your team stacks up against others. For many, it’s a motivator to give your all against an equal or slightly superior opponent.
In contrast, when dominance is sustained quickly over an opponent, the effort and output are lackluster and actually may even include boredom as you go through the motions of competing.
The 8U Algonquin Argonauts came in strong, quickly realized the stature of their opponent, the Yorkville Foxes, jumped ahead nearly effortlessly and coasted from the middle of the second quarter till the end of the game in their season-opener on August 24 in Gilberts.
The 28-0 shutout victory was impressive from both sides of the ball.
Offensively, the Argos were too much for the visitors. A dose of power, speed and elusiveness by the Argos, quickly showed the advantage held by Head Coach Chris Ciepley’s team.
Defensively, the Argos front line rushed relentlessly and were limiting much of the play. With speed on the outside and quick closure by the Argo linebackers, the hot afternoon became a boil for the Foxes as they simply were outmatched all game.
“Our team is pretty strong, we were pretty strong last year,’ said Coach Ciepley. “Coming into this game I felt we would mostly outmatch them. I think our kids did their job well.
When asked if coaching a game is difficult when the game quickly gets one-sided, Coach Ciepley said, “It is difficult, because we are moving kids around playing positions they don’t normally play and they’re not set, it gets to be a headache, especially with 8-year-olds.”
“I like competition, so I do look for those tight games, where hopefully we always come out on top but it’s also fun putting some scores up on the board. We still have to improve at knowing what positions are and how to get set as a team, whether we are winning or losing, sometimes a player may have to be at a position they don’t play much; be ready for that.”
Ciepley also stated the team goal is to work hard, have fun and keep the kids here playing football.
“We want to go have fun but also win games, I feel they go hand in hand. I give us an A+ today.”
After beginning the game on defense and forcing a turnover on downs after four plays, the Argos offense took little time in lighting up the scoreboard.
Gannon Root would run 25-yards and propel the Argos into the lead with his touchdown run. With the added point-after by Oliver Cottrell, the Argos led 7-0 just a few minutes into the game.
“As soon as the ball was hiked, I was running to the hole,” said Root. “I like scoring touchdowns like that. When my blockers are doing good and we are scoring touchdowns because of that, its what I like the most.”
Try as they might, the Foxes offense look to be spinning their tires in mud, unable to get anything going against the host.
Tackles by Cottrell for a loss, a sack by Bryce Fulton and solo by him, plus a fourth down squash by Kaiden Fox, gave the ball back to the Argos offense.
Once again, the Argonauts would be working with a short field, this time starting from the Foxes 26-yard-line.
What offense doesn’t like a short field?
The Argos welcomed the opportunity to extend their lead and did so shortly thereafter.
On the very next play, CJ Druger took the snap and sped 26-yards around left-end nearly untouched into the endzone, scoring the second Argos touchdown of the quarter. Fulton added the extra point and upped the Argos lead to 14-0.
Trying to get their offense established was next to impossible for Yorkville. The Argo rush was overwhelming and limited any attempt by the Foxes.
Tackles by Cottrell led the defense against the Foxes offense.
“I like hitting people,” said Cottrell. “I think I’m doing pretty good right now at that. I could get lower on the tackles.”
Cottrell is also quite a talented runner as he carried the ball several times and was impressive.
“I still prefer to play defense, but I do like running the ball,” said the two-way player.
Also contributing in stuffing the Yorkville offense was Kayden Anderson who forced a punt after his stop.
Beginning the second quarter, the Argos didn’t let up offensively. They once again began their next series still in Yorkville territory for the third time.
Going to Cottrell three straight times produced 16-yards, 12-yards and finally, 9-yards up the middle for the Argos third touchdown of the game. A Druger keeper extended the lead to 21-0.
Things got worse for Yorkville. On their next play, a hard tackle by Stevie Baum jarred the ball loose and was quickly pounced on by Cael Cieply.
When it Rains, It Pours!
Just one play later the Argos made the most of the fumble recovery when Leo Colella took a handoff and streaked up the middle on the 33-yard touchdown run. Cottrell added the extra point that now had the Argos in a commanding 28-0 lead late in the first half.
“I was focusing on where the players were so I could find where I could get through and score a touchdown,” said Colella. “We played as a team today. I mostly just focus when I play.”
With reserves in to begin the second half and a comfortable lead, the Argonauts offensive pace changed. There was no scoring in the second half, but the play was still hard.
The Argos went on an 8-play-drive with their new offense.
The rushing attacked featured runs by Parker Benacka (6- and 23- Yards), Fox for 10-yards, Cottrell for 10- and 2-yards and a 3-yard scamper by Jackson Ecker. Unfortunately, a fumble stalled the drive and forced a turnover on downs, taking up the entire third quarter.
Entering the final stanza, Yorkville was looking and still trying to establish something positive from their offense, unfortunately, the Argos didn’t get the memo and continued limiting most of what the Foxes tried.
A hard hit by Colella caused a fumble but was recovered by the Foxes. Anderson continued his aggressive play and constant presence in the backfield nearly on every snap.
Anderson stood out for the Argos with his defensive prowess in the final quarter.
“When they came after me to block, I would get around them,” said Anderson. “I really like tackling and making the play.”
Anderson stated he plans on staying aggressive all season too.
In the second half, Anderson was as dominant and quite a nuisance to the Foxes. He tallied 6 solo tackles with several for losses.
James Kieras and Miles Lobo also did their part, each contributed with a couple tackles as well.
About the only thing the Argos did wrong was lose a fumble after a stop of the Yorkville offense in the fourth quarter.
Enjoying his time at quarterback was Bryce Fulton who also contributed defensively with stops.
“I like playing quarterback, especially because we have a lot of really good O-line people,” said Fulton. “The defense is really good, so I want to get our offense up to that level too. Sometimes getting the handoffs off is hard, it’s what I need to get better at.”
Other Argonauts adding to the winning effort include TJ Langley, Kane Combs, Anoosh Varda, Colton Peterson, Alexander Geiger, Benjamin Bernick, Payton Berlin, Jackson Sosine and Connor Cline.
Cheering on the football action and keeping the crowd entertained were the Inspired Cheerleaders and Jr Pee Wee Cheerleaders. Among the Inspired Squad was Kendall Russ. A veteran of Inspired Cheer, she enjoys every moment of it.
“I like spending time with my friends,’ said Kendall. “It’s pretty easy doing cheer, I like having fun. I have been a cheerleader for four years. I’m used to all the cheers now.”
When asked what’s the worst part of being a cheerleader, Kendall replied “Getting Sweaty”
Kendall also mentioned she plans on being a cheerleader forever.
Other Inspired and Jr. Pee Wee Cheerleaders showcasing their talents include Jillian Grigg, Hannah Murzyn, Maya Polis, Sophia Schumann, Melina Smith, Nadya Wyzukovicz, Mia Amari, Cameryn Ciepley, Jenavieve Grefsheim, Elyse Keeley, Liliana Kieley, Dorothy Kramer, Tori McDonals, Abigail Mrotek, Stell Nava, Aubrey Pando, Adilyn Sauceda, Kenzie and Miakoda Smith, Ariana Solava, Brooklyn Steinhaus, Ava Trottier, Josephine Tircha, Kaytlinne Williams, Amelia Wilson and Carmela Wintersdorf.
This was a complete shutdown win for the Argonauts where both sides of the ball worked as one. This may be a team to reckon with as the season progresses.
