By Pat McGavin- Photos by Gavin Peterson
**Additional Photos are available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p138982035 **
ALGONQUIN— When is football more than a game but something even bigger, a bacchanalia or feast, a revelry or party that never stops?
Joe Kenny no doubt felt that exhilaration sitting in the press box here at Jacobs High School on Saturday, August 16. Despite the 95-degree weather and the 106 heat index, the joint was jumping from every side and dimension.
The main field is architecturally and logistically distinguished, pitched in a valley with sloping angled parks that allow fans to watch from an optimized view on either side of the traditional stands.
There was no shortage of things to capture.
As the president of the Algonquin Argonauts youth football, Kenny watched first hand the mass of young Pop Warner football players—surrounded by family and friends—playing elite level football, covering a range of ages, bodies and different sizes.
Conceived and designed by the Argonauts’ program, the Gridiron Wars brought together 110 teams from Chicago, the suburbs and Wisconsin, for a classic “jamboree,” for a series of controlled scrimmages.
Spread out over eight fields, the organization created a maze that the designer and chief scheduler, Kyle Hassen, designed more than 180 games from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The 20-minute format allowed players and coaches the chance to perform live action games and playcalling against three or four different opponents in an ideal tune-up to the start of the regular season.
Dino Cardone, the president of the Addison Cowboys, brought nine of his 10 teams to the event.
“I feel like whatever I can do to get additional work for my organization really helps as we move into the first week of the season,” he said. “It’s great for Pop Warner, and getting in these games to see where you’re at, and go live just before the first games.
“For all our levels, this was a chance after two or three weeks to finally see what you need to do and what you need to work on. You get to see a couple of the teams on your schedule. It’s definitely beneficial for everybody here.”
Kenny did not invent the idea. He caught the right wave, and perfected the model.
“We went to a couple of other jamborees in the past, like Crystal Lake and Genoa one year,” he said. “Off we ran last year with 88 teams at Dundee-Crown.
“Their field was not available this year, but coach Brian Zimmerman was very excited to be part of this. They actually have more space, and we were able to bump up the number to 110 teams.”
Until Mother Nature intervened in the late afternoon with some apocalyptic weather, the second iteration was a smashing success. Violent electrical storms swept through and forced the cancellation of the late afternoon slate of games.
The format was fluid, quick and easily adaptable. The scrimmages were broken into two 10-minute blocks devoted to both offense and defense. A five-minute interval was also built in to facilitate logistically moving teams from one field to another.
Seeing a range and variety of teams, players and concepts held significant consequences for the teams involved.
“We get our eyes on some of the teams we’re going to see during the season, and get a chance to improve on things that we’re working on in practice,” Cardone said. “This gives us a chance to see how they work against actual live bodies rather than just going up against teammates every day.”
Drew Tolliver, the president of the Aurora Gators, was part of the first wave of teams who came to last year’s event. He liked what he saw, and was more than eager to return.
He is also the coach of the Gators’ 13U program.
“First off, Joe and all the people at Algonquin do a really great job at organizing it,” Tolliver said. “The games are on all time, and they’re very time effective, and you get a lot of good work here.
“We’re trying to absorb it and help build the program. It’s always good for us to scout and see where the new players are coming, formations, and what our defense is doing. We’re trying to jell and see what we’ve got.”
Kenny is also the coach of the 12U Argonauts’ team. He saw the event from both sides, operationally and from the perspective of a coach who is trying to connect all the pieces into a coherent whole.
“You get to see three or four different opponents, and every team gets to operate differently,” Kenny said. “Maybe somebody’s really stiff upfront, maybe another team’s got great linebackers, and somebody has a great passing or running game.
“The fact you get to see three different opponents on both sides of the ball, I think, really accelerates the kids being ready to go that first week. Even though they’re abbreviated games, I think this is something that all of these programs are going to feel like this is something that’s really necessary to get your team ready.”
The jamboree also crossed borders. Teams from Kenosha and Racine took part in the action,
Dante Hampton is the coach of the 13U Racine Eagles. Even in the limited sample size of the 20-minute scrimmages, his team flashed athleticism, speed, and a range of gifted young players.
“This is our first time coming to this event,” Hampton said. “We’re trying to get some really good competition from outside of our city in Racine. “I think it’s really well run and put together. The coaches look very good, the officials are very good, with great fields and facilities.
“This whole event was huge for us. Our first game is next week, and being able to get four scrimmages back to back against very good competition definitely gets us ready. I’d recommend any area teams to come here.”
If the coaches and organization presidents thought about cause and effect, the players loved the idea of the showcase potential to reveal what they were capable of.
Max Michalski was not just a “hometown player,” as a top young prospect for the Argonauts’ 13U team. He was excited by doing something new.
He combined excellent size and skill with the ability to run routes and catch touchdown passes as a wide receiver. He also played defense, and showed a bruising and physical tackling style.
“It’s been going pretty good today,” he said, quietly and a bit nervously. “This is my first year of playing Pop Warner, and I didn’t know what to expect.
“I’ve been learning a lot.”
Until the lightning storms wreaked havoc on the field, the Gridiron Wars were a clear success that suggested even greater potential and reach in the years to come.
Kenny and his organization struck their own lightning.
“It’s been incredible to watch all day,” he said. “There have been probably 2,000 people here to watch just those four fields on the opposite side here.
“It just shows how vibrant youth football is. It’s not dying. It’s growing, and it’s a great place for the kids to see the value of teamwork, hard work, discipline, and mental and physical fitness. This is a great showcase for Pop Warner and youth football specifically.”
