By Ed Muniz
**Additional Photos will be made Available at no cost for this game at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p641581918**
Gilberts- The Chicagoland Pop Warner football week five schedule was in full go mode the weekend of September 21 and 22.
The Saturday, September 21 schedule saw teams battling opponents in bright skies and unusually hot weather.
One day later, ominous skies and relentless downpours greeted the teams and cheerleaders.
Among those showcasing their teams were the Algonquin Argonauts.
Celebrating their Homecoming would test their teams, but for some, they’d be challenged by Mother Nature as well.
During Homecoming, Colleges, High Schools and youth programs celebrate a tradition started back in 1911 at the University of Missouri. Pairing the event with sometimes a parade, a dance, maybe a dinner and of course a traditional football game to honor their team’s return after being away for a period of time.
The Argonauts 6U Blue team under the guidance of Head Coach Joe Lewis, would host the tough Naperville Patriots and their difficult to stop running attack.
Not only did the Argo have to contain and battle the Patriots running game but for the Argos players, it was their first time ever playing in a constant downpour and for some, it was a struggle with clear indications they didn’t want to be there.
For 5-and 6 year-olds, it was a new experience. Some excelled while others were out of their comfort zone on both teams.
Unfortunately, for the Argos, the Patriots performed at a higher level than the home team, scoring four times and keeping the Argos out of the endzone.
“It was a little cold and rainy, it was actually their first time in the rain, we haven’t even had a practice in the rain yet,” said Coach Lewis. “What we need to work most is our blocking, ball control up front and pursuing the ball.”
“Open field tackling at this level is rough, other than that, I think we played great. That was a good team. So far so good for us, there’s thing we need to improve on but they’re five- and six-year-olds, as far as I’m concerned, they’re doing good, they practice hard and play hard, that’s all I can ask of them.”
Although the Argos never scored, the running of Cooper Schroeder and Anthony Tierney provided some thrilling plays for the home crowd.
Schroeder was the workhorse of the Argos backfield seeing several carries throughout the game. his ability to get to the edge quickly gave him a chance to pick up chunks of yards and he did.
On one carry, the speedster got to the near sideline and was off to what looked like a sure touchdown. Each step brought him closer to the endzone, if not for the Patriots bigger faster defender who had the angle, he would have scored. Still, his 54-yard run was impressive.
“I was running good,” said Cooper. “I was surprised I got tackled. I was running to the right and I thought I was gonna score then got tackled. On defense the coach was calling out the plays and I could see the ball really good to make tackles when I was following the plays. Maybe I could do better tackling.”
Copper also contributed defensively in the second half, coming up with several stops.
When Cooper wasn’t getting the ball, the Argos called on Anthony Tierney, he too gave the crowd something to cheer about. Tierney seemed to find more yards each time he carried the ball. He quickly got to the outside and grabbed as many yards as he could. He too contributed efensively with a handful of stops or assisting others.
“I did well on my runs,” said Anthony. “It was hard running against the big kids, those big kids were pretty good. Their line was amazing. We can get better by listening more, practicing more and tackling more.”
One thing noticeable of the Argos defense was the play of lineman Lucas Ayers. At first the Patriots tested him but soon found out what a wall of granite he is. He simply was a dominant force at the line throwing blockers aside that soon saw the visitors running plays away from him most of the game.
Whoever lined up against him, he handled with ease, tossing them aside as if they were disposed litter. Once he came off the snap, if his opponent wasn’t ready, they’d end up face down or on their back.
Lucas took out his wrath on one particular player more than others. When asked why, he replied,
“Because he wasn’t being nice and was saying mean things to me,” said Lucas. “So, I thought about that, and I wanted to throw him down to get rid of him. I was trying to get to their quarterback and make the tackle after that. I can get better too by practicing and playing hard.”
The scoreboard wasn’t in their favor in this game and hampered by the pesky rain played a factor as well for the Argos, but they never quit trying in front of the Homecoming crowd and learned what its like to play in difficult weather.
Others trying to help win during Homecoming were Owen Peterson, Renzo Gamo, Deej Homer, Elijah Salas, Nolan Nickel, Jeremiah Bradford, Lorenzo Miron, Ryder Dearing and Brady Lewis.
The Argos’ Tiny Mite cheerleaders brought passion and energy throughtout the game despite the downpour. They included Nevaeh Amin, Nina Blakey, Elena Campobasso, Gabriella Campobasso, Daniella Falcone, Marissa Jensen, Emilia Loza, Colbie Lucas, Whitney Lucas, Michelle Rivera and Harper Savage.
