By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Gary Larson
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ADDISON—The stakes were not the same, but the meaning and value were impossible to overstate.
The players of the Addison Cowboys 12U are not ready to give up their crown at any level. The team views every game as a chance to showcase what the attention is all about.
“We don’t listen to the talk,” said quarterback Jesus Ortiz, Jr. “We just play on the field.”
The Cowboys dominated all phases of the game in beating the Aurora Gators 44-0 in a Pop Warner League game at Addison Trail high school on Sunday, September 1. The game marked a rematch of the 11U state championship last year the Cowboys won en route to capturing the national championship.
“I was very excited to play this game today,” Ortiz said. “This is my third year with the team, and I’ve known the rest of the players for quite a while now. They’re great people, and my confidence is always going to be high when I’m around them.”
The Cowboys played fast and furious, and with an intense purpose in seizing the dominant 22-0 first quarter lead. The offense was clicking from the start, and the defense was suffocating. The Cowboys scored every way imaginable—on the ground, in the air, and on special teams.
“We always preach to get off to a fast start,” coach Dino Cardone said. “We want to make sure to put the foot on the gas from the get-go. Setting the tone in a game is huge. That’s what we preach. Let them know who the Cowboys are, and how we play.”
Ortiz was the master conductor, orchestrating a game-opening seven-play, 65-yard drive that mixed the running of Ke’lon Dennis and Kriston Smith with his own vertical passing game. The combination was efficient and smooth.
After Dennis and Smith opened with 12-yard runs, Ortiz brilliantly used the play action to connect with receiver Jason Thalhammer for another 12-yard pass connection. Two plays later, Dennis smashed into the end zone.
“At the start of any game, you really want to come out hard,” Denis said. “We have a pretty good bond. We know what we’re doing. I’m fast, and I consider myself a downhill runner. I like to get the ball and go.”
All-purpose talent Ryan DeNardo, who had a touchdown catch and an interception, was 4-of-6 on two-point kicks.
The defensive effort, intensity and pressure matched the electric athleticism of the offense. Playing from the lead immediately meant dictating the pace and shape of the game.
“I felt like the fast start really hyped us up, and got us going,” Thalhammer said. “I thought it really set a tone for the day. It carried over to the defense. I think we had really good communication the whole game. We had great pressure the whole time. Their quarterback never had time to do anything.”
With Giovanni Alvarez and Nikolos Anest providing the upfront pressure at tackle, Michael Aguilar, Jr. and Prince Hughes had free access to the Aurora backfield.
Aguilar registered an eight-yard sack in the Gators’ first play, foreshadowing a day where the Aurora team had little time to breathe, much less get into any consistent offensive rhythm.
“We all trust each other to get the pressure on the QB, and get the sack,” Hughes said. “We also know how to stop those running backs. We played with a lot of excitement.”
On the offensive side, the playmakers continued to shine.
In his only carry of the game, Ashton Cole broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run on the second play of the Cowboys’ follow-up possession. The game felt as though it played out on an endless loop. Hughes’ seven-yard sack forced another Gators’ punt.
Dennis aggressively caught the ball on the fly and broke free down the right sideline for the 47-yard return touchdown. Punctuating the flawless first quarter, DeNardo made a leaping and spectacular interception on the final play.
“It brings me energy to know I do so much for the team,” DeNardo said. “I just love doing what I do. There is a lot of stuff I can do to help the team. I used to play soccer when I was younger, and that explains the kicking. I quit that to focus on football.”
“It’s very exciting to be a part of this team. We go out on the field every day, and we have a target on our backs, and we have to show everybody what we’re made of.”
The Cowboys did not rest on their laurels. Working off the DeNardo interception, Ortiz went back to work and found a familiar number and presence—DeNardo. Ortiz bought time in the pocket and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to DeNardo for the 30-0 lead at halftime.
“We look at the game like the score is always zero-zero,” DeNardo said. “Even after you score, you always have to continue playing the game. Last year we showed we can do whatever it takes for us to win. We have to take that energy into this season.”
Alvarez, Anest and Cain Ocampo are also the anchors of the offensive line. Ortiz called them the unsung heroes of the attack.
“Everything starts with the linemen,” Ortiz said. “Without them, we can’t run or pass. They gave me the confidence to throw the ball and lead the offense.”
Tyler Houston was another standout on the defensive side. The fast and explosive edge player had three tackles for loss. He is possibly the hardest hitter on the team.
“We’re very hungry after what we did last year, and we’re trying to get back,” Houston said. “The defense did a great job of moving to the ball. We wanted to show who was the better team.”
The one-sided nature of the game allowed the Cowboys to play their entire roster, showing the depth and versatility from top to bottom.
A DeNardo 12-yard run was bracketed by two hard runs by Yahwey Stovall. Oscar Smykowski completed the four-play drive with the one-yard plunge. Mundo Bracamontes closed out the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Cardone has been in the program for 23 years, and has coached this age group the last three seasons.
“I think the reason we’re able to play so well together, and have this camaraderie starts with the coaching staff down to the parents and the players,” he said. “We treat our practices like games. We practice hard. We have a lot of fun, but we instill hard work and accountability.
“The bond just shows and reflects on the field. It shows in everything we do, from every single play that we run. It’s why this group is so special. They do what they are able to do, and they do it very well.”
The Addison Cowboys 12U team featured many standout contributors in the dominant victory over the Aurora Gators. The other players included
Matteo Morrone, Tyler Houston, Ay’Din Henning, Carmine Pollack, Griffin Yena, Damian Milewski.
The Junior Varsity cheerleaders also brought tremendous passion and enthusiasm in their routines. They were Laylah Ahmed, Mya Barajas, Aubree Buchholz, Angelina Burnette, Mckenna Campbell, Azaria Falcon, Lauren Gonzalez, Stella Hartley, Giuliana Leon, Eriyanna Martin, Avalyn Noworyta, Alayna O’Donnell, Khloe Romeus, Gianna Vargas and Isabella Vidal.
