By Ed Muniz- Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase for 2 Weeks at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p1010218460 **
GILBERTS- Gilberts Elementary School was the site of the Algonquin Argonauts week six of the Chicagoland Pop Warner schedule.
Among the teams on tap for games on September 29 were the 10U Argos coached by John Hopps.
Playing host to the Rockford Titans was not just another game, no, this was a game of unbeatens. Both teams had defeated every opponent it has faced in the 2024 season each coming into this key game at 5-0.
As it turned out, these two were very evenly matched and as usually happens when opponents are so even, the game turned out to be a a low scoring, battle of attrition, seeing who would flinch first.
A solo score would determine the winner and when all said and done, the Argonauts continued their winning streak, elevating to 6-0 on the season after the 7-6 win.
“We try to get the boys as pumped as possible,” said Coach Hopp. “That’s the toughest team in the league that we will play.”
After the Argos scored late in the game, the pressure build up was now sitting on the home sideline as the Argos tried to hold on against a very difficult Titans team.
One key moment occurred when the Argos were trying to decide whether to punt or run a play, Hopps called for a punt from their own 35-yard-line why others argued they didn’t practice punting enough and feared it would get blocked so, the Argos offensive coach went ahead and called a play that gained two yards in the last 2:34 of the game.
With an unbeaten season in hand, it was obvious the Argos don’t often punt.
“We haven’t realty had to punt this year. I was questioning it, I thought a 15-yard punt is better than nothing but we only got a couple yards on the play so they still had a short field. But we have a strong defense.”
Hopp was right, defense saved the game in the end. It also helped that the Titans couldn’t handle the pressure of needing a late game score, committing multiple penalties that kept pushing them father away from the endzone.
What started at the Argos 37 ended at their own 30 yard-line on a final desperation pass that fell incomplete.
Defense was stellar from both teams. They displayed why both warranted being unbeaten.
For the Argos, defense stepped up early in the opening quarter after a quick four plays got them no yards by their offense.
The Argos countered with tackles by Brady Steinhaus, Crue Saylor, Johnny Konkey and Jackson Blakey to force a turnover on downs.
The Algonquin next offensive try saw them go on a 12-play drive that took the remainder of the first quarter and several minutes into the second quarter.
The Argos used a ground game that kept control of the ball and was eating up time, yard by yard.
The workhorse on the drive turned out to be running-back Wade Vanderkamp, grabbing 27-yard on four carries.
Antonio Wilder -Douglas, Gabe Gutierrez, Manny Lindstroem and Blakey also added to the rushing tally, but a fourth down carry only grabbing a yard stalled the drive at the Titans 25 and again forced another turnover on downs, ending the promising drive.
The Titans used their ability to get outside and break tackles to mount a drive which almost took up the remainder of the first half.
The 11-play-drive saw the Argos reeling and desperate to stop the drive. Tackles by Trevor Quatroke. Konkey, Steinhaus, Gutierrez, Mikey Wetzel, Lindstroem and Blakey, but a big sack that lost the Titans 8-yards by Saylor help bring an end to the Titan drive and keep the game scoreless at half time.
Opening the second half, the Titans again went to the rushing attack but after a couple tackles by Steinhaus and one by Lindstroem that lost 8-yards for the visitors, a hard hit by Steinhaus jarred the ball loose which was recovered by Antonio Wilder-Douglas.
The next Argonauts drive would turn out to be its most profitable.
Starting at their own 15, the Argos would go on a 15-play drive that went well into the fourth quarter, ending with an 8-yard run up the middle into the endzone by Blakey. With the added extra-point by Lindstroem, the Argos finally got on the scoreboard with a 7-0 lead.
Along the scoring drive, runs by Vanderkamp, Lindstroem, Gutierrez, and Wilder-Douglas also contributed to maintaining the drive gaining 5- first downs along the way.
Now looking for the equalizer, the Titans connected on a long pass to start their response. After reaching the Argonauts 27, the Titans were penalized and move back, unfortunately it didn’t hamper them much as on the very next play, a shifty quick cutting run up the middle didn’t stop until it reached the endzone.
Now came the big try for the tie. Up to the challenge, a tackle by Blakey just outside the endzone stopped the extra-point and kept the Argos up by a single point which turned out to be the game saving tackle and kept the lead at 7-6 after the dramatics of the last 2:34 left in the game.
Wade Vanderkamp got called on several ties during the game and produced nearly every carry. His ability to get through openings and also be able to read the play early as it developed saw him getting to gaps and advancing the football for the Argonauts.
“I was just hitting that hole hard and running hard for yards,” said Vanderkamp. “In the off season I had some training so that helped me. You have to play as hard as you can when the game is a hard one and deal with it and go as hard as you possibly can, its how I play. I love playing on this team.”
When the Argos needed the hard short yards, one guy they called always was Manny Lindstroem. This beefy running-back is not easily taken down. His size and power make that nearly impossible. he is good for three yards nearly on every carry.
In this game his efforts were much needed and welcomed as he came through each time.
“I don’t really know why it works for me, I’m Just running my hardest and muscling through, it has worked for me,” said Lindstroem. “I like getting those tough yards. I think I’m a little sluggish and could improve my speed and footwork.”
Brady Steinhaus may have been the defensive star today. He led or was near the top in total tackles for his team. His ability to get to the ball quickly or be in position to make the tackle or assist benefitted the Argos in this tough game.
“I just have good vision and know where the play is,” said Brady. “I keep driving to finish tackles and I think we did really good on blocking, tackling and staying in the game but I think I could get better at pass coverage. I thought we played a “A” game today.
Others giving their all when called on were Chase Konishi, Evan Ecker, Isaiah and Ricardo Martinez, Chase Murphy, Parker Hopp, Eddy Zamarripa, Braden Jackson, Gabe Gutierrez, Dylan Sulinckas, Benjamin Reed, Alfredo Aguilar, Maxson Krupke, Brett Vance, Leo Young and Josh Skrodzki.
Cheering on the players and entertaining the crowd were the Tiny Mite Argonauts Cheerleaders they include Nevaeh Amin, Nina Blakey, Elena Campobasso, Gabriella Campobasso, Daniella Falcone, Marissa Jensen, Emilia Loza, Colbie Lucas, Whitney Lucas, Michelle Rivera and Harper Savage. 2 Weeks at
