By Bobby Narang- Photos by Laura Stubbs
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FLOSSMOOR – On a picturesque morning, the Super Lightweights of the Orland Park Pioneers had thoughts of a program-building win on Sunday. The Pioneers were booked in the first of four games against HF United at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
Normally, the first game is the not the main attraction, for that is usually reserved for the fourth and final game – the varsity game.
But on September 15, the Super Lightweights turned out to be the best game of the day.
Both teams battled intense heat, sunshine and humidity, laboring through four quarters and four overtimes. With each play, especially after halftime, the two teams were locked in a fierce battle of wills.
Neither team wanted to lose the game, mainly because of the tough conditions and excellent source of motivation from the large crowd and supporters encouraging them to play their best.
In the end, HF United converted its point-after-attempt for a 20-19 victory over the Pioneers in four overtimes.
After the winning PAT, both teams were exhausted from the nearly three-hour game. All the fans cheered and applauded the gritty work of both teams. The Pioneers (1-2) had a big group of fans on hand, including several parents for the second game.
Orland Park coach Pat Richardson was sporting an ear-to-ear smile in the postgame. Richardson admitted the long overtime, which included different rules in the first two overtimes and the final two, were unique to both teams. Richardson was effusive in his praise toward his players for the determination and fight they showed in the epic battle on the road.
“We talk about it a lot in practice about making the choice between fighting and everyone of them fought hard today,” Orland Park coach Pat Richardson said. “Some of them were banged up, hurting and tired. It was a tough game, very hot. We rotated kids at positions they never played, but they kept going. It was cool saying most of us were part of a four-overtime game. I have never seen one. We all were figuring out the rules. Our defense never stopped. Luke Bosack has an incredible motor, just all of linebackers and defensive ends played great. Alex Kopec is coming along and he’s going to be a monster. He showed today. There is nothing negative we have to say about how they played.”
Indeed, the Pioneers all played well as a unit to keep fighting the talented and aggressive home team. The game was filled with action, but not much scoring until the overtime session.
Both teams did not score in regulation, leading to some anxious moments in the first overtime. The first four quarters featured very little offense between the teams, making it a defensive battle that both teams used to take long breaks between plays due to the heat.
In the first overtime, the Pioneers got on the board first on Taylan Morandi’s one-yard TD run on third touchdown for a 6-0 lead. The home countered with a quick touchdown but also missed the PAT for a 6-6 tie.
Gavin Garrity showed his strength with a strong TD run in the second overtime for a 13-6 lead.
When the home team tied the game up once again after the third OT, the Pioneers went ahead again with a three-yard TD run by Morandi, but missed the PAT.
HF United was able to capitalize by scoring a quick TD and converting the PAT to win the grueling game. Even in defeat, the Pioneers shook hands, held their heads high and were happy with their effort.
Garrity was one of the standouts in the game, getting stronger as the game progressed. He made several big tackles in the second overtime. During regulation, Garrity was a big part of a key drive to stop HF United in the third quarter, joining forces with Bosack and Bennett Kersten. Bosack was also a big-time player in regulation, earning a sack on a third-quarter drive and also saving a potential touchdown with a great tackle.
Garrity said his team had a gut-check in the overtime sessions but answered the call with tremendous heart. Garrity said he was motivated on defense to not let HF United win the game.
“I just tried to get in the backfield to stop them,” Garrity said. “I was happy how we played. We played pretty good and did good on defense. We never gave up and showed a lot of heart.”
Meanwhile, Morandi came up big in the second quarter in the red zone, deflecting a pass and also nearly intercepting a pass on fourth down to stop the home team.
Bosack, who plays running back and linebacker, was a beast in the game, flying all from sideline to sideline for several highlight-reel tackles to keep HF United from scoring.
“I was able to get in the backfield a lot to help our defense,” Bosack said. “The defense played so strong. I was happy. We kept them from running outside. Our linebackers played good and stopped a lot of plays.”
The Pioneers’ received a good push from their defensive line and strong protection from their offensive line to stay in the game. Michael Patterson played a key role in both lines.
“The offensive line did good and we used two tight ends a lot, which helped us block,” Patterson said. “I’m tired. I’m probably 9.5 out of 10 tired.”
With the Big P Chain around his neck, Morandi expressed his excitement to rest his body. Considering how hard he played, Morandi deserved the rest for his play was instrumental in the Pioneers battling all game long. “I’m very tired,” he said.
CJ Hufford also noted how the game took a toll on a lot of players, but he was happy the team didn’t give up.
“I’m tired enough to fall asleep,” Hufford said. “We did great and blocked well on the line and made some good tackles. We played good on offense and defense. It was a fun game, but it was tiring.”
In the fifth quarter, the Pioneers set the stage for a memorable day with strong play on the offensive line. The defense held steady, stopping HF United from gaining momentum.
The Pioneers picked up contributions from the entire team in the Fifth Quarter and main game including from Peyton Barbee, JJ Abuzir, Nate Abbs, Taylan Morandi, Moody Jaber, Luke Bosack, Quinn McCarthy, Sean Kikilas, Zachariah Ballouta, Wyatt Kipper, Suhaib Ballouta, Xyan Bell, Lawson Capps, Martin Groark, Brady Higgins, Zakariya Jaber, Alex Kopec, CJ Hufford, Shane Sternberg, Luke Holoubek, Sean Johnson, Bennett Kersten, Vinny LaPapa, Michael Maurella, Michael Patterson, Gavin Garrity, Michael Ramos, Lorcan Redmond, Arthur Slabenak, Henry Wade, Paxton Leithleiter, Ian Frost, Jonathan Mizera, Ammar Abdelmuti, William Jordan, Michael Sweis, Jordy Kolodziej, Thomas Richardson, Luke McDoniel, Paul Rylan Davies, Dominic Maurella and Amari Adigun.
The Pioneers’ Super Lightweight cheerleaders were a big source of energy, especially in the overtime sessions. The talented squad included Sofie Annerino, Nora Astor, Aleena Badwan, Lea Barbee, Luch Bohanek, Stella Bristow, Gianna Bryk, Evelyn Byrne, Charlotte Dorigan, Zoey France, Normandy Golden, Sadie Griffin, Stella Guerrero, Alaina Holoubek, Callie Juarez-Radovanovic, Eleanor Koehn, Kennedy Krokos, Siena Lang, Mia Mizera, Savannah Molina, Hazel Nicholas, Grace Poore, Falyn Simon Elena Schmaling, Scarlett Sternberg and Isla Zelensek.
