By Ed Muniz
Our Apologies! Players interviews were corrupted and unavailable. We will cover this team once more for the full experience. Our Apologies.
** Additional Photos are Avaible at no cost for this game at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p845572119 **
Gilberts- Throughout the country, when Colleges, High Schools and youth programs schedule the day to celebrate their Homecoming, a lot of planning takes place.
For some, it takes a lot of planning because during the football season, this is the one day where everyone becomes festive, players, teams, cheerleaders and cheer squads are honored.
The culmination of the day tends to be the traditional football game. Some start the day with a parade that leads to the football game and for some, a Homecoming dance afterwards.
Either way, the day requires a lot of planning.
The Algonquin Argonauts are no different.
Although the weather didn’t cooperate, all the planning of a festive day moved forward. With numerous tents lining the home sideline and one endzone, the Argos were going to make this a memorable day for fans, players and cheerleaders.
Prior to each game, the Football players were introduced and presented a flower to their mom or Parents on the field. At Halftime, the Cheerleaders would do the same for their mother or parents.
Although the whole day would see showers for the most part, it didn’t dampen the Homecoming Spirits of those on and off the field.
In game two of the day, the Argos 6U Silver would face off against the Oriole Park Falcons.
This game was quite different then the one prior as both teams went back and forth trading scores.
After the final whistle, the home crowds cheered loudly as their Argos sons prevailed, outscoring the Falcons 30-18 for the Homecoming win.
Head Coach Ricky Silva’s team was ready for anything that was thrown at them by the visitors. Offensively, the Argos used a running attack that jumped ahead and would respond immediately to regain the lead while also closing out the game with a score.
The defense, although bending and giving up a couple big plays, responded when needed and maintained the lead in the end with open field tackling you don’t often see at this level.
“I was excited for our guys,” said Head Coach Ricky Silva. “I was really proud of how the kids came through at the end there. They don’t get discouraged at all, they continue to give everything that they have and having a really good time.”
Watching coach Silva and his staff of coaches, you see how well the kids respond to their direction during the game. When asked bout why the players work so well with him and his coaches, Silva said,
“We just communicate really well, we all know what our roles are and don’t step on each other’s toes, we’re consistent and all have the same goals for these kids. We want them to have a good time, have fair play time, encourage them and teach leadership among them as well. We are all on the same page and I feel it makes us a little different then what others might experience and their coaching staff.”
Part of Silvas excitement was because of the great attitude of his team considering the rainy environment and yet the boys still had a really good time which was very noticeable.
The game turned into a back-and-forth scoring affair. The Argos jumped ahead on a 58-yard run by Shawn Devleschoward for the 6-0 lead.
Shortly thereafter, the Falcons struck back on a long run to tie the game at 6-6.
Leo Micelli then put the Argos back up on the ensuing series. Hitting the sidle lines and racing 54 yards for the Argos second score and the 12-6 lead.
Defensively, the Argos were getting stops or assists by Andrew Williams, Phillip Masterson, Micelli, Devleschoward, Titus Varda, Roman Juarez, Harley Young, Channing Meehleib, Temo Vasquez Jayden Collazo and Rocco Silva but leading the Argos was Jackson O’Brien.
O’Brien had a knack for being around the ball, if he wasn’t making the stop he was assisting in it. His ability to pursue the ball carrier and get to him quickly saw him lead the team in tackles.
Once again, the Falcons managed to tie the game with their second long run, evening up the score at 12-12.
Surprisingly with all the rain, the grass playing field was still firm and made for good footing for the players. Micelli took advantage of that, taking a hand off and speeding untouched for the Argos third touchdown of the first half.
Micelli’s 46-yard touchdown put the Argos up 18-12 at halftime.
Now in the second half, the Argos were trying to defend their lead again making stops and looking for a turnover on downs but another big run by the Falcons of 65 yards evened the game again at 18-18.
The Argos used a methodical running game in their next series. Using Micelli, O’Brien and Devleschoward to move the ball, the Argos were milking the clock as they advanced.
Jackson O’Brien’s 39-yard touchdown run propelled the Argos back into a lead they’d never relinquish, but it wasn’t easy.
With a 24-18 lead hanging on by a football lace, the Argos called on their defense to make a stop. Deep in their own territory, the Argos needed a fourth down stop with the Falcons sitting just a few yards from tying up the game.
Temo Vasquez stepped up for his team and made the game saving stop, preserving the lead.
After taking over, the Argos worked up field as time ticked away and with one last run, Micelli scored his third touchdown of the game, racing 34-yards for the touchdown and a 30-18 Homecoming victory as time expired.
The Sideline Argonauts Cheerleaders were there to celebrate the win and throughout the game kept the fans entertained. They include Audrey and Brooklyn Aguilar, Olivia Anfeldt, Evelyn Benitez, Elowyn Bilyard, Grace Botta, Cataleya Brito, Penelope Cole, Avriella Diebold, Ariana Eckart, Jasmine Esparza, Lilliana Fuentes, Leylani Gutierrez, Ariana Jerzyk, Brooklyn Johnson, Adrianna Lewis, Jade Liang, Sophia Maurelli, Alycia Perez, Shawn Rivas, Avery Rodriguez, Sophia Salas, Genesis Sanchez, Joslyn and Hannah Shackelford, Julia Sliwinski and Isabella Vega.
