By Bobby Narang- Photos by Renee Kaspar
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase for 2 Weeks at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p609341977 **
GILBERTS – Football is a unique sport.
The combination of physicality and toughness brings out the best in some players.
That’s the case of Algonquin Argonauts 9Ublue player, Dominick Bonilla.
In his first season playing football, Bonilla has become one of the two-way standouts in Pop Warner’s Division 3.
His emergence on defense and offense has sparked the Argos this season. His dominant play is moving the chains via his speed and toughness.
Bonilla fueled the Argos in Saturday afternoon’s game against the Elmhurst Bears. Bonilla scored the opening touchdown to set the tone for a 32-7 victory over the Bears at Gilberts Elementary School.
The Argos (5-3) closed out the regular season in a strong fashion, building some momentum for the upcoming playoffs.
Argos’ coach Kyle Hassen said Bonilla’s touchdown run was a key momentum-builder. On a windy and cold afternoon, Bonilla broke loose for a touchdown for a 6-0 lead.
“We scored on the first drive by a great run by Dominick,” Hassen said. “He’s a first-year player who completely has come into his own. He’s a great player. He’s getting better every single week. I’m super proud of him.”
Defensively, the Elmhurst Bears had problems moving the ball, mainly because Bonilla’s presence essentially cut off half of the field.
“I just saw a wide open gap and decided to take it and it worked out great,” Bonilla said of his first TD. “I’ve been working really hard and playing hard in practices, so it pays off in games.”
Hassen said his players responded with a great effort on offense and defense.
“The offense did great,” Hassen said. “They got off their blocks and blocked really hard. Defense is where we make our money. Our defensive line, I will put them against any team out there. The team did great and played strong. We have more work to do and are hoping to make a big run in the playoffs. We had a complete game on offense and defense, and it was the right time of the season before the playoffs.”
Leading 6-0 to start the second quarter, the Argos bounced back from losing a fumble by stopping the Bears on three plays, including a punishing sack by Andrew Schaefer.
The Argos’ offense proceeded to chew up the clock with a six-play drive that ended with Brayden Moreno’s six-yard touchdown run for a 13-0 lead. Schaefer had the big play in the drive, springing free for a 27-yard run. Moreno added a 14-yard run on the fourth play.
“We had a good game on offense and defense,” Schaefer said. “We had a bunch of good plays. I felt good running. I hurt my knee before this, so I had to wrap it up. I’m just happy with this win.”
The Argos seized control of the game, when Wesley Bilyard intercepted a pass on the Bears’ second play of their ensuing drive.
“That interception felt good,” Bilyard said. “I saw the ball and caught it. I almost had two interceptions.”
The Argos quickly attacked on offense, seizing the momentum with a seven-play drive. Bonilla opened with a 28-yard run on the second play, then Jason Frazier added a 24-yard run and Schaefer had a six-run run. Two plays later, Johan Guerrero, an offensive lineman, was put in the backfield. Guerrero used his speed and strength to power for a two-yard TD run to push the lead to 19-0 with 15.5 seconds before halftime.
“The offensive line blocked really good and we did a good job as a team to get a lot of touchdowns,” Guerrero said. “The defensive line got good penetration for a lot of sacks.”
In the second half, the Argos gave up the ball on their first possession via downs, but managed to retrieve the ball back thanks to a fumble recovery by Guerrero with 1:03 remaining in the quarter.
Three plays later, Bonilla sprung loose for a long run, exploding up the middle for a 50-yard touchdown run for a 26-0 lead.
“That was a long run,” Bonilla said. “I was supposed to go through the outside hole, so it wasn’t there and I went through the five-hole and just took off. I feel really good about this win. Our defense and offense both did really good.”
After the Bears scored a touchdown on an 80-yard run, the Argos countered with a quick drive that featured a 46-yard touchdown run by Schaefer for a 32-7 lead.
On the Bears’ next possession, Jonathan Medearis had a big sack to wrap up a great game by the Argos.
Argos’ two-way lineman Samuel Coates said it was a well-played game by the entire team. Coates also factored into the scoring column, plunging for a score on an extra-point attempt.
“The offensive line did good, and I’m proud of the team,” Coates said. “That felt good to score. We’re excited for the playoffs. I love football.”
The 9U Algonquin Argonauts picked up contributions from their entire roster, including Kane Norwood, Ehsan Esparza, Dominic Nava, Jason Frazier Jr., Declan Holm, Nathan Sciepuk, Julian Delk, Evan Blonskij, Nixon Tomczyk, Ricardo Guzman Alverez, Beckett St.Leger, Jaydian Loquercio, Asher Hassan, Henry Craig and Kameron Smith.
Providing the sideline entertainment and the Halftime performance were the Argos Sideline Cheer Squad. they included 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.
