By Miles Toogo- Photos by Renee Kaspar
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p955928145 **
GILBERTS— One last chance! The opportunity to overcome or make-up a deficit. Another shot at redemption. One last opportunity to make a difference.
Sports is filled with that. Individuals or teams that want that one last opportunity regrdless of time remaining, to them, it’s still doable as long as there’s a tic on the clock. For the Argos 12u, the chance to even up the game or possibly win it against the visiting Yorkville Foxes, presented itself.
A fumble recovery by Michael Wetzel with 2:53 left in the game gave the Argos a chance at victory. All they had to do is move 49-yards for the tying or winning score.
Over the next four plays the Argos ran the ball for 3-yards, completed a pass for 10-yards, had a bad snap that lost them 9-yards and threw their third inteception on the final play of the game.
The much covetted last chance opportunity sometimes ends with elation but for the most part, they tend to be squandered, which in this case gave the visitors a 14-7 win on August 29.
“Compared to last week, Phenomenal!,” said Coach Dustin Covarrubias. “This is a team of kids mostly new to football. 20 kids played today, only six of them have any football experience. A huge improvement from last week, very proud of them. We are going to put them in situations where possibly they make mistakes because we want them to be ready for high school.”
“These kids went through the whole camp and probably played the best team in the conference and still managed to compete, that was impressive. Going into a bye week, we have two weeks to get better so we are excited for that game two weeks from now.”
Coach Dustin also mentioned that he felt his teams run game excelled.
“I’m really proud of our run game, unfortunately, some individual mental mistakes cost us and it killed drives. Yorkville was a very well coached team, they are a very good team, each year they are improving with their quarterback being a heck of a player. Over the next two weeks we will be working on fundementals because we are so young and more so, so new with kids playing in positions they’ve never played before. We will continue to expand the playbook, learning that and defensively, understand their assignments.”
The game started in an auspicious way for the visitors who would start on defense, as it appeared. To the surprise of the Argonauts, the Foxes shocked everyone with an onside kick they recovered. Esentially assure themselves starting each half on offense.
Although they had first crack at scoring, Argos’ Patrick Lawlor and Maxwell Backus made stops. Those tackles were followed by good defensive coverage which resulted in two incompletions and turning over the ball on downs.
Once the Argos finally had the football, they worked from their own 48-yard line, advancing steadily towards the Foxes endzone. The 15-play series saw everything.
The very first snap was fumbled but recovered then Dane Remke went to work out of the backfield. The tall, strong runningback managed to pick up 12-yards on two carries. He also contributed with a reception out of the backfield.
Quarterback’ James Lash was guiding his team in the right direction with a bevy of run plays and an occasional pass reception. Also in the mix of maintaining the ball was Trevon Lindsey, who’s three attempts grabbed 18-yards on the drive.
The big play of the opening drive came after a bad snap lost the Argos 12-yards, now faced with a third and 19 from the Foxes 42, Lash went to the air where Johnny Konkey pulled in the pass for 23-yards.
The opening quarter ended two plays later after the Argos advanced to the Yorkville 13-yardline.
In the midst of a long drive, The Argos looked to jump ahead to open the second quarter. They did just that!
After a run by Konkey grabbed five yards and a run by Lindsey added 3 more, the Argos sat just five measley yards away from paydirt. Using his power, Remke took a handoff and forged up the middle crossing into the endzone for the touchdown. A pass from Lash to Wetzel completed the scoring to give the Argos a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Argos gave a little payback with an onside kick of their own, recovered by Wetzel.
Looking to add to their lead, the Argos tried three runs by Remke and Lindsey but that only produced five yards, an incomplete pass on fourth down gave up the ball, leaving the Argos unable to take advantage of the earlier kickoff recovery.
The Argos now looked to end the first half with a lead by shutting down the Foxes offense. Yorkville went to their talented quarterback who took a snap, headed to his right, found the edge ahead of every Argonaut defender abd streaked 62-yards for the score with 1:38 left in the first half. The Foxes converted the point-after to tie the game at 7-7.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Argos gave up the football immediately on the very next play with an interception thrown. The Argos defense made quick work of the Foxes next series, forcing a punt with time still left but two plays later, the Argos tried another pass-play that was intercepted again.
Yorkville tried scoring one last time with a pass that was completed but that ended with a tackle headed to halftime tied at 7-7
Opening the second half, it wasn’t long for the game score to change. Just two plays in, Yorkville saw their talented quarterback zip a pass to a receiver on a slant route, streaking untouched 65-yards for the go ahead touchdown and succssful poit-after for a 14-7 lead.
The Argos would try to answer now down a score. A heavy dose of Remke and Konkey mixed in with an occasional run by Lash, saw the Argos nearly use up the whole third quarter. the 12-play drive would eventually end with an incomplete pass as Lash just couldn’t connect on his two pass attempts, the last ending the promising drive on downs.
Remkes’ sack on the ensuing Foxes drive, pushed the Foxes back seven yards while a great pass defense by Patrick Lawlor gave the ball back to the Argos to begin the fourth quarter.
The Argos struggle to complete passes continued, after throwing on three of the four following plays, then having to relase possession. The Argos defense would need to make a play as time was ticking away. They came through with a fumble recovery by Wetzel but couldn’t take advantage of that last opportunity at glory.
The Foxes would leave Gilberts the 14-7 victors.
Offensively, to the naked eye, the Argos outplayed the Foxes. Using the skills of Remke who can be a tough tackle, allowed then to control much of the clock with possession, unfortunately, Remke couldnt replicate his second quarter touchdown.
“I could have done better today, It’s all the mindset honestly, I just have to think that I can do it,” said Remke. “I think I did well cutting in and finding those holes today. I had good vision too. I’m an emotional player so when I got angry in the second half, I was powering through their line when I was on defense especially after that first half. As a team, our improvement is all mental. We had an opportunity to win this game for sure, we just got in our heads.”
Also a key factor not only on the offense but just as valuable on the Argos defense was Johnny Konkey. His versatile play and ability to be a factor on both sides of the ball most likely was the Argos MVP of the game. He gave his all on every play, that was easily noticeable. Run, Pass Receive, Tackle or Assist, Konkey was a workman for the Argos.
“I think I did pretty well today but I think I can do better,” said Johnny. “I just turn my brain off, put my hand out and catch the ball, I just do it, I don’t over think it when I’m on offense.”
“On defense, I feel I tackled well, I might have to contain better but I’m happy with how I tackle. I think I am more a “see where the play is going” defender when on defense. I feel it’s more important to pursue because I play corner and don’t want to get beat just going in. I feel I have pretty good vision and pick up the ball and play quick too. Theres really no easy part playing corner, you just have to make sure to contain. Today, even though we lost, we stayed together and became one, we rallied and stayed in the game. I thought that was good. We just need to put the foot to the pedal the whole game.”
Another of the more versatile players is Maxwell Backus. Losing is not something he relishes and it was evident on his face. He too is a valuable piece of the Argos who success will definately be dependent on Maxwell’s play. He is another that has a knack for being around the ball. Whether making the tackle or assisting on one, he is the kind of player coaches always want on the field. He too gives his all and wants to do whatever it takes for his team to be successful.
‘”I could have done better at outside linebacker, at least containing,” said Maxwell. “Also reading the play. It’s hard at times because I’m not as tall as some of the line so I sometimes read it a little later than I want. I think I can play anywhere but I prefer playing defense. I can do well anywhere but playing defense is more fun. I think if we contain better, its’ what will help us a lot.”
“Offensively, no disrespect to our quarterback but I think it would help us if he could read the field better. He is a leader out there can do a good job but we have to improve on offense.”
The Argos are a young, Inexperienced team for the most part. This team has talent but it will be a work in progress. the new blood must blend with the old and create a cohesive, one unit team. They do that, the wins will come sooner than later.
Also adding to the effort in this game were Chase Konishi, Braden Jackson, Isaiah Martinez, Trevor Quatroke, Alejandro Perez, Loagn Baird, Aayden Perez, Zavion Haralson, Paul and Walter Kenny, Cameron Trimm, Jordon StrohmaierLeo Young Cain Gallegos and Brody Julian.
