St. Xavier University was the host site of the 2021 River Valley Youth Football League Championship Sunday. The RVYFL “Super Bowl” saw Champions crowned, in the Four division league on November 7 in Chicago.
Two teams vying for Championships were the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams from the Orland Park Pioneers.
Recent history has shown the Pioneers a regular participant in Championship games, this year was no different.
For Todd Shelton and Chris Stefanos, championship games had become a regular occurrence for their team, having been in four of the last five Super Bowls.
Pioneers’ Quaterback Sean Ruisz is the real deal. Here he leads his Junior Varsity team to a Championship on November 7 against the Jr. Warriors at St. Xavier Uiversity in Chicago. The win completed a perfect undefeated season, becoming only the second team to do that for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers last won a championship in 2017 when Todd Shelton and Chris Stefanos led their Super Lightweight team to the Pioneers first RVYFL Organization Championship. John Stefanos and Mark Mikesell would also conclude that season with a Varsity crown for the Pioneers.
The previous two Championship games for Shelton and Stefanos have ended in disappointment, losing close games which could have easily gone their way.
Now with the same core of players that last won a Championship in 2017, an unbeaten season by the now Junior Varsity Pioneers, had them again at the precipice of a Championship.
A determined Pioneer JV set a goal early in the season of reaching the Championship and finally winning in their third consecutive Super Bowl.
Behind the on-field leadership of Pioneers’ Quarterback Sean Rusiz, the running of Mason Marable, the receiving of Barret Sigel and the defensive play of Brody Wantroba, Toddy Shelton, Jordan Masino, Matthew Durkin and others, the Pioneers captured their first Championship since 2017 with a 19-13 win over the New Lenox Jr. Warriors.
“This was by far the greatest week of practice we had all year, the kids were in it, the kids were wanting it,” said Shelton. “I think it just came to that time where everybody was thinking This is it, this is our time. Everyone was fluid, relaxed, it was the best I had ever seen a team going into a Championship that I’ve ever done.”
No matter the difficulty, Pioneer receiver extraordinaire’ Barret Sigel (17) seems to come up with the reception each time. Here he snags a pass while blanketed by a Jr. Warrior during their Championship game on November 7 at St. Xavier University in Chicago.
”We were focused the whole time, there was no break in these kids even in the last five minutes where we became lackaday sickle, this is an unbelievable group of boys, just awesome”
Addressing his team, Shelton went on to state “I am absolutely proud of you boys, Saturdays, Sundays, Unbelievable; from our sideline to our twelfth man to our field, I am absolutely proud of you all. Sacrifice and dedication, you guys should be proud, and I know your parents feel the same way, the best team in Illinois!”
The Pioneer offense took the field first, displaying a mixture of run and pass plays under the guidance of Ruisz. Make no mistake, the success of this team is catapulted by the play of Ruisz. His presence exudes total confidence and others feed off that.
He gives a sense of comfort to his teammates that no matter what, he is going to make things work positively.
What Ruisz has grown into is a talent that is easily noticed which has paid increased dividends to the play of others. His successes are their successes, resulting in their own elevated play to produce a winning expectation of every game, even when behind. They aren’t a cocky bunch; they don’t have to be. They know they have skills and a quarterback that plays to win.
It took the Pioneers nine plays to open the scoring. A combination of runs and receptions moved the Pioneers from their own 24-yardline to the Jr Warriors’ 41. From there Ruisz took the snap and raced right hitting the near sidelines and ran 41-yards untouched for the touchdown and a lead they would never relinquish.
Mason Marable (2) gets past a Jr. Warrior defender on his way to a long touchdown run during the Pioneers Championship game on November 7 at St. Xavier University in Chicago.
The 7-0 lead lasted the remainder of first half. Defensive play was stellar for the Pioneers. Masion, Ruisz, Sigel, Wantroba, Durkin and Shelton gave the Jr. Warriors fits with each in on numerous tackles.
The Pioneers controlled play on both sides of the ball.
The Jr. Warriors are a formidable organization with a history of producing some of the best talent in the league, but the Pioneers were so dominant. They limited the Jr. Warriors to just three possessions the entire first half, which resulted in three punts with two series lasting just four plays.
The Pioneer offense had opportunities to extend their league. A 40-yard pass from Rusiz to Sigel moved them deep into Jr. Warrior territory but give credit to the Jr. Warrior defense who managed to stall a couple of Pioneer drives to remain close.
Opening the second half, the Pioneers continued their aggressive play defensively. Two Sacks by Marable and Luke Kruszynski and solos by Ruisz and Durkin, quickly got the ball back to the Pioneer offense.
Runs by Marable for 13-yards and one by Masino for 7-yards preceded another dash up the middle by Marable, that went 16-yards for the Pioneers second touchdown, upping the score to 13-0.
Underrated Lineman Matt Durkin (81) lines up across from his Jr. Warrior foe during their Championship game at St. Xavier University on November 7.
It looked like the Jr. Warriors might breach the Pioneers endzone after completing a 52-yard completion helped by poor tackling, moved the Jr. Warriors from their own 25 to the Pioneers 23-yardline.
However, three consecutive tackles for losses by Wantroba, Rocco McCarthy and Marable along with a fourth down solo tackle by Kruszynski, closed out the third quarter and gave the Pioneers the ball back.
The Pioneers appeared to extend their lead during the ensuing drive, but a long touchdown pass from Ruisz to Vinnie Annel would be called back due to a penalty.
However, the very next play would go the distance when Marable took the handoff, took off over left tackle and scored from 57-yards for his second score of the game and a 19-0 lead for the Pioneers with six minutes left in the game.
The ensuing kick-off saw a reverse that caught the Pioneers by surprise with the Jr. Warriors returning the kickoff 73-yards for their first score of the game. Adding the point-after, the Jr. Warriors cut the lead to 19-7.
A Pioneer fumble four plays later gave the Jr. Warriors another opportunity to close the gap and they did just that two plays later, completing a pass going 47-yards for their second score with just under three minutes to play.
Vinnie Annel is in mid-juggle of a pass during the Pioneers Championship game on November 7 at St. Xavier University. Annel did complete the reception.
Nearing the score to 19-13, the Jr. Warriors felt a momentum swing and tried an onside kick, but that was recovered by Wantroba for the Pioneers who then went on to take three knees to run out the clock and finally claim a Championship once again.
Brody Wantroba was emotional after the win. The standout defensive Pioneer star was overcome by the Pioneers finally capturing their Championship after two disappointing loses in their previous Superbowl games.
“It’s been too long, you practice hard, you play hard,” said Brody. “I’m just going to enjoy this right now, it’s a long season but we wanted this really bad.”
Brody also stated that he does look at himself as a leader and welcomes that role among his peers. Its natural for him. He mentioned he looks forward to next season as he has one left and then on to college, with a stop in between for high school of course.
One of the most improved Pioneers also plays on the defense. Nolan Rodriguez has earned a starting role this year and has excelled throughout the year. His tackling has improved along with his ability to cover from his defensive back position. His overall play has really taken a jump forward and helped the success of the Pioneer defense.
“I worked really hard at getting better and I think I played pretty good,” said Nolan. “I practiced a lot at home and worked at getting quicker.”
It was obvious that Nolan was focused at improving his play and had a successful year.
Pioneers’ Nolan Rodriguez is focused for the snap while playing cornerback during the Junior Varsity RVYFL Championship on November 7 in Chicago.
For Devin Stefanos, his role was one he is comfortable with on this star-ladened Pioneer team.
Devin saw action mostly as a back-up and played during Fifth Quarter or in the Wednesday Night Football League. Occasionally getting time during dominating performances by the starters.
“I really enjoy playing on this team because I feel like we are on a really good team and we all have each other’s back,” said Devin. “It doesn’t matter if I am a starter, I don’t think I ever will be but as long as I am on the field sometimes, I’m ok with that.”
Stefanos stated he truly enjoys being on this team and its winning ways.
Two players stood out in this game; Mason Marable was epic in the ground game. Pounding the ball or streaking by a defender, Marable was the “Go-To” guy and looked every bit the part, scoring two touchdowns.
Big yards or just a couple, he delivered whatever he was asked.
The elation of winning the RVYFL title ran rampant once the last tic of the clock expired for all the Pioneers on November 7 at St. Xavier University in Chicago.
“I knew they were going to try and take the ball especially towards the end of the game, that’s why I really covered up on each run,” said Mason. “Both sides of the ball, everyone had a ton of energy. I thought Sean (Ruisz) had a really good game, he’s incredible.”
Mason mentioned how even at home he would work on improving his speed but recognized the team was really focused on one goal.
“We worked really hard this year for this, we had a great game and we won.”
Coach Shelton stated numerous times this year and in years past, what an advantage it is to have a player like Sean Ruisz on the field. His leadership and command of the team is similar of having a coach on the field.
He plays at a level that exceeds many. He may be the best quarterback the Pioneers have developed and is a sure recruit for several high schools already, even as a seventh grader.
Sean Ruisz shows off his tacklig prowess against the Jr. Warriors during the RVYFL Championship game on November 7 at St. Xavier University in Chicago.
Watching Sean play, you immediately notice that confidence in himself. He carries it with him in every step and that too is noticed by his teammates. They play hard alongside him because they see he gives his all and expects them to do the same. He truly is a star in the making.
“This game, we knew it wasn’t going to come easy, we had played them before and won by a touchdown. We came into the game knowing what we had to do, and we did it,” said Ruisz.
“This year I felt we were being doubted, so we knew and played to prove them all wrong. We lost several players from previous teams, but we knew what we could do, and we proved those folks wrong. I hung out a lot with many of these guys during the summer, we knew we would have several knew kids so this year we had to teach them up and get them to play as we have. Our coaches tell me to come in here and lead and I try to do that every game.”
Prior to their championship victory, the Pioneers played in the “Fifth Quarter” game for back-ups. They excelled there too. Offensively, quarterback Jack Bullington had an outstanding game connecting with Sam Basiorka for a 24-yard touchdown strike. He also was quite accurate with hi passes throughout the game, hitting receivers in their hands only to be dropped.
Runs by Basiorka, Carson Conrad, Jad Jaber, Thomas Elliott and Jack Bullington showed how they could move the ball and collect yard after yard.
Jad Jaber elevates to pulling in the pass during Fifth Quarter play against the Jr. Warriors on November 7 at St. Xavier University in Chicago.
Matt Bullington crosses the goal line during Fifth Quarter play against the Jr. Warriors on November 7 at St. Xavier University in Chicago.
Defensively, the Pioneers shared the tackling wealth with Ethan Vinson, Ibrahim Jaffal, Patrick Flores, Rami Agha, Jaber, Christian Czerwonka and Joshua Montell, all making stops. Montell also came away with an interception. And Czerwnka made a touchdown saving tackle as well.
Other Pioneers adding to this Championship game and season include Blake Wagner, Othman Mizyed, Eli Citlau, Rocco McCarthy, Adam Hoak, Nathaniel Owei, Ayodeji Olanrewaju, Matt Hallberg, Ayden Toth, Zayne Salah, Luke Wolcott, Matt Bullington, Patrick Hennessy, Jaden Barron, Cruz Bennett, Shafik Yasin, Jake Tomczak, Egan Kelly, Jake Buechele, Nick Shamma and Brady Straka.
The Junior Varsity Pioneer Cheerleaders were entertaining throught the JV Championship game on November 7 at St. Xavier University.
Cheering the players on and entertaining the fans, the Pioneer Junior Varsity Cheerleaders kept the environment up, they include Lily Carroll, Kylee Votteler, Taylor Ruisz, Hailey McDonald, Avery Nugent, Layla Jefferies, Madalyn Marable, Jordan Shamma, Janelle Juachon, Jewel Jauchon, Erica Gonsowski, MaeveO’Connor, Klaudia Willis, Alyssa Abed, Issabela Enriquez, Fiona Sejud, Summer Vahl, Anna Woloszyk, Sophia Gasior, Keira Ulaszek and Madeleine Carrier.
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