By Ed Muniz- Photos by Raj Chavda
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p666466332 **
The 2024 Plainfield Saints Homecoming would finally come to a conclusion once the last of 12 games scheduled on September 22 at Plainfield Central High School heard the last whistle.
Throughout the day, the Saints hosted a bevy of teams in their Annual Homecoming Day event on two separate football fields adjacent to each other.
This year the Saints would not only have to contend with their foes opposite of them on the football field but also have to fight off the weather as rain pelted nearly every game and at times pretty heavy.
Heading into the final game of the day, the Saints had won five of eleven games, needing the 13U Black team to win and split the Homecoming slate of games.
As the top 13U team of the Saints program, Coach Rob Seneca’s team featured a High-Quality running game, a passing attack and a stout, stifling defense that swarmed to the football constantly.
With the weather now tamed but ominous dark clouds still present, the 13U Saints would only have to contend with the team opposite of them.
So, heading into the game, the Saints had a great chance of evening up the total win tally on the program’s special day and improving their 3-1 record.
Shortly after kickoff, the Saints wasted little time scoring on their opening drive after three tries. They would use a second half offensive and defensive assault to gain the 20-6 Homecoming victory.
“Started slow with penalties keeping them in the game,” said Head Coach Rob Senica. “We talked to the kids at half and then they stepped on it. We’re a very good football team, we’re 4-1 on the season but when you fumble the ball and not have ball security and make mental mistakes, it keeps the other team in the game.”
“Defensively our coverage has given up some big plays and outside contain are where we need to improve but overall, in five games, we’ve given up a total of 40 point, not bad, we’re right there.”
Coach Senica also mentioned his offense needs to work on getting in and out of the huddle quicker, clean up the penalties and open up the offense and be more two dimensional instead of just running the football.
Scoring on their first drive, the Saints used a rushing attack that saw Cy’ere Horton introduce himself to the Titans. His 9-yard carry was just a sample of what he’d bring all game. After Tyler Pekarek added 16 more yards on his run, Horton would get into the endzone streaking 14-yards for the initial score of the game.
The Saints defense used the scoring momentum and stuffed the Titans on their three attempts forcing a punt after tackles by DaSani Smart and Horton.
Both defenses stepped up their play. The Saints not wanting to relinquish their lead while the Titans not wanting to let the Saints extend theirs.
Moving into the second quarter, the Saints defense continued to make stops. They did give up a first down but that soon came to end after an incomplete pass fell short, forcing the Titans to lose the ball on downs.
Defensive prowess by Jeremiah Smith, Smart, Horton, Mason Reece and Wafeek Khalil all made stops to end the Titan series.
Back on offense, the Saints could only grab 9 yards on four tries and that came on third down by Horton, forcing the Saints to punt.
Closing out the first half, the Titans moved the ball and got to the Saints 2. With 14 second left, a run of tackle tied the game at 6-6.
The Saints opened the second half forcing the Titans to punt after tackles by Caleb Sands, Smart, Ethan Senica and Reece stalled the Joliet drive.
On the next snap of the football, Horton exploded once he got the handoff and accelerated by every Titan enroute to his 74-yard touchdown run, giving the lead back to the Saints at 12-6.
The ensuing Joliet drive saw Horton and Smart also played factors in limiting the Titans to just four downs with their aggressive stops to open the final quarter.
At the midway point of the fourth quarter, the Saints had driven to the Titans 37, from there, a reverse by Pekarek went the distance for the Saints final touchdown and when “Super Toe” Lukas Hurst kicked the 2-point conversion, the Saints now led 20-6.
Again, Horton, Smart and Khalil all grabbed tackles to stop the Titans and with the final kneel down by the Saints, the last of the 2024 Homecoming games was in the books evening up the Plainfield Saints 2024 Homecoming record on the day.
Offensively, the Saints carry two outstanding running threats. Each time they touch the ball, they are capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. Both Horton and Smart not only are offensive threats, but they also play stellar defense and get to the ball quick either to make the tackle of assist.
Horton sees the field well on both sides of the ball but his decision making when carrying the ball is special. His knack for seeing the whole field helps him make the right cut at the right moment.
“I run the ball and keep my feet moving,” said Horton. “I like making contact on my runs too. I have good vision like Lebron James. I could work on my blocking too. I like that we are all like family.”
I doubt with his speed and agility, Horton will be asked to block much for others.
For Smart, his size and speed works well for him on the offensive side but his defense is a finality each time he gets to you. He is a finisher extraordinaire. No one on the Saints finishes a tackle like he does. Its permanent and final. Theres no doubt about his want to end a play.
“Football is everything to me, I really enjoy making tackles.,” said Smart. “I’ve always been an athletic type of kid, crazy about it all. Offensively, keeping my feet moving is big for me, I always liked running since I was a kid, I’m very energetic, I like running the ball but theres always room for improvement.”
DaSani also mentioned that his best attribute is motivated the team.
“I feel like a leader so I came motivated as much as I could, after that loss last week. We’ll play them again, we won’t lose, I promise that.”
Another player whose game picked up was Ethan Senica. His defensive play stood out after the break. His involvement with stops and assisting on others help keep the Titans scoreless in the second half.
Senica is also the starting quarterback but for a coach’s reason, he was exiled for this game from that position. Still, he contributed in the win.
“My coach was mad at me so, I didn’t get to play much in the first half so, I kept myself right at halftime and brought it the second half,” said Ethan. “I play both sides; to be honest, they ran it to my side more and I was able to make plays. I love the game, and I work out every day with my brothers and try to get everybody around me better. I try to be the best leader I can be for this team.”
Others adding to the win were Braden Pekarek, Jacob Stephen, Sage Anslem, Adam Dziemidowicz, Owen Sultan, Kellan Corona, Chase Burton, Devontay Smith, Kyle Lindbeck, Joshua Stanton, Andrew Busel and Mason Elliott.
Cheering on the players were the Saints Junior Varsity Show Cheer 2 Squad. They performed at halftime and along the sidelines in two games. They include Juliana Bain, Liana Borla, Gemma Caruso, Mia Cordero, Harper Dehority, Kinsley Dimmick, Ashlyn Dyer, Alyssa Gonzalez, Kaidence Gravelle, Harper Judd, Sophia Lilienthal, Scottland Love, McKenna Morley, Reagan Murphy, Nala Panozzo, Alexis Pantel, Lucy Petrovic, Mariella Reinert, Jennifer Smith, Skylar Soria, Olivia Speiser, Emma Swinehamer, Brannah Tamayo, Ryley Tamez, Olivia Tomkiewicz and Olivia Urquiza.
One Cheerleader chosen as the squad’s Homecoming Queen is a four-year veteran of the Saints Cheer Program and in her final year of Saints Cheer, The 2024 Saints Homecoming Queen is Olivia Konopa-Majewski.
“I’m just so grateful for these girls and having the opportunity to be a Homecoming Queen,” said Olivia. “also the thing that I put into cheer everysingle day is an enormous amouth of effort along with always being kind to everyboduy on your team, showing each other the same respect. You just have to make it a fun environment.”
“We’ve always had a very fun realtionship with each other, its always been a great bond wiith the team, but with that also comes a lot of hard work and definately some serious times with the team but we always try to have fun with each other.”
