By Francisco Avila- Photos by Alexa Bordick
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase for 2 weeks at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p670081690 **
PLAINFIELD- This time of the year, an event unlike any other is held where football programs throughout the country from all levels, experience one of football’s most revered traditions of Homecoming.
It can be one of festivities tied to this special day and also be linked to the grit, sweat, and determination of the work players put in competing on the gridiron.
On a rainy September 22 afternoon, the Plainfield Saints 10U played host to the visiting Darien Swarm.
Sadly for the Saints, the Swarm showed little respect towards their host and simply had too much offensive power on the football field to come out the 23-0 shutout Victors and hand the Saints a Homecoming loss.
“I thought it was a pretty tough match on both sides.” said Head Coach, Jason Meyer on the loss.
“Our defense played pretty well. But we had some mental mistakes on offense that were hard to overcome. And I know it was a tough break but there was also, from whoever then, Julian (Razo), he had a really good game. He had a lot of tackles that he was able to make as well as Joey (Medrano). I think making mental mistakes on offense and maintaining blocks on offense are the two areas that we’re going to work on the most.”
The opening quarter provided a good defensive start from the Saints as players showed their confidence in making tackles against the Swarm offense.
In the first quarter Julian Razo and Jose “Joey” Medrano grabbed two big-time tackle early on, but right before the second quarter, the Swarm showed their defensive qualities and managed to get a safety for the 2-0 advantage in the game.
The second quarter then started similarly to the first, as the Saints came out defensively really sound looking for tackles to interrupt any Swarm offensive effort. In the second quarter, it was Nash Meyer who put in the big tackles and showed everyone that his defensive play is his strong suit after making several tackles.
The Swarm responded to Nash and the Saints defensive work, as they scored again on a run again up the middle, converting their one-point conversion as well to give themselves a 9-0 lead.
The Saints responded with strong tackling and key interceptions before halftime. Blake Hipp reacted to the touchdown by the Swarm with a hard tackle, and Weston Brom pushing himself led to his crucial interception to end a Swarm drive.
Coach Meyer praised the defensive lines work and Brom’s big-time interception.
“Yep, our defensive line overall played pretty well. Julian (Razo), Logan (Jirek), Joey (Medrano), Nash (Meyer), they all for the most part played pretty well.” said Coach Meyer. “And we had (Weston) Brom with a big interception to stop them from scoring. So it was good overall defensively, the score may not show it, but defensively we played a pretty good game.”
The third quarter then started with no fall in eagerness or energy, as the Saints continued to put in strong tackles, highlighted by Max Koc.
However, the Swarm scored again on a run play and converted their extra-point try to increase the lead at 16-0.
The fourth quarter had the Saints trying hard to get on the scorebard hoping to get back in the game. Unfortunately, the offense just couldn’t get past the staunch Gator defense while the Gators continued to score and pad their lead, finally ending the game with the 23-0 shutout and ruining the Saints Homecoming which they took great pleasure in as most visiting teams do.
Joey Medrano spoke after the game on his performance and the Saints performance overall.
“I feel like I did good. They were just getting to me first and I couldn’t get around the guard.” said Jose “Joey” Medrano on his performance. “I think we did pretty good. I think the defense just needs to do a little better.”
Despite the loss, every player apart from the players who the coach spoke about, performed to the level expected and played a great game. Those players included Bentley Guynn, Riley Legault, Owen Troutman, Dorian Wright, Luca Trujillo, Jackson Koc, Brayden Gardner, James Jackson, Jonathan Rush, Maximus Gozum, Brayden Leahy, Cortland Miller, Ryker Nelson, Camden Van Giesen, and Colton Falconer.
