By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
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JOLIET— A program that was undermanned and had seemingly everything going against it decided rather than feel sorry about their condition to change the terms.
The Algonquin Argonauts Silver 12U team ran only seven plays from scrimmage through the first three quarters against the Plainfield Saints.
Turnovers and the inability to field kickoffs prevented the team from establishing any serious offensive rhythm. They were staring down an early deficit, and trying to fight back.
“We needed to practice harder, but we’re too much in our heads,” Andres Brito-Sanchez III said. “I thought we had some good stops out there, and we played hard. We did everything, and we’re still fighting no matter what.”
Big plays on both sides of the ball doomed the Silver in their 20-0 loss Sunday in Pop Warner league play at Aux Sable Middle School here on Sunday, September 14. Despite the one-sided defeat, the big picture was more encouraging of better times to come.
“We took the loss on the scoreboard, but we gained a few things,” coach Jason Schumann said.
In the fourth quarter, the team converted a fourth and eight, part of an 11-play drive that gave the Silver a measure of satisfaction in showing what was possible.
Quarterback Payton Aguilar ripped off a huge nine-yard to keep the drive alive. Operating out of the pistol formation, he took direct snaps. It energized the attack.
“We were there the whole game, and we just tried to fight there and play hard throughout the second half, even though we were losing,” Aguilar said. “The first half we came out a little lazy. We can’t let that long first run right at the start. We can’t let stuff like that happen. We have to stay more disciplined. We have to be stronger with the ball.”
Brito-Sanchez also provided a boost with runs of 12 and six yards. He never previously played the position, just thrown in with several of the team’s normal playmakers out due to injuries, sickness and a team suspension.
“It was a good mixture of running out of normal set ups, and also the first time running with the direct snap to the QB,” Aguilar said. “What made us really want to play was trying to put some points on the board there and be a better team.”
The Silver was behind virtually from the start with the Saints ripping off a 40-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage. Making matters worse, the Silver fumbled on its opening possession.
Aguilar, Brito-Sanchez, defensive lineman Maxson Krupke, Kace Whitehead, Christopher Velez and Miles Sedarski played with conviction and purpose in limiting the damage.
The Saints had repeated short fields to work with following the fumble and a squib kick the Silver proved unable to field and returned the ball to Plainfield.
Julian Benson was another defensive standout with four tackles. Aguilar made some nice throws to Sedarski and Colton Arndt in the flat. The ball security issues underscored prevailing themes for the team.
“Today we were down a lot of key players,” Schumann said. “We had a suspension to one of our main playmakers. It was tough trying to fill that void. We had three kids who were out sick the whole week, so they didn’t play today. We were being hit with injuries. It’s all hitting us at once, and we’re trying to move on to another day.”
In a game of confidence and momentum, the Silver tried desperately to find something that worked. Down 13-0, the team dug and forced a turnover on downs in the second quarter.
Velez made some big hits, flying to the ball and showing great range and recovery speed to make some strong plays in either the Saints’ backfield or on the perimeter.
“I don’t like to talk that much,” he said. “My speed and strength are the best parts of my game. It’s how I go out there.”
Mental breakdowns and missed assignments allowed the Saints to score on the final play from scrimmage of the half for the 20-0 lead.
“Our biggest problem this season has pretty much been ourselves,” Schumann said. “We’ve gotten into our own ways, between attitudes or not staying focused or not believing in ourselves. We try to bring it here with organizing a family culture. They need to lean on each other. We’re depending on the same players to make plays. It’s a team sport, and it can’t be one or two players.”
Against the odds, the team fought back and acquitted themselves with some sharp play in the second half. Plugged in at running back, Brito-Sanchez showed burst and speed moving through the hole.
Jayden Asrar, Josue Castros and Jordan Lopez also stepped up defensively in the second half. After the Saints recovered the second half kickoff, Velez and Aguilar collaborated on a two-yard loss on fourth down. The players hope the encouraging play and brighter moments signal better times ahead.
“It was hard, but our coaches always tell us no matter what the score is to always play hard until the very end, and we did that today,” Asrar said. “We never give up until the last second of the game. Our bond is really unbreakable. You can’t break something like that. It’s like a brotherhood. We build so much. We just have to learn how to play more disciplined.”
Despite the loss, the Algonquin Argonauts Silver 12U team had many standout performances. Those players were Gionni Cavaliere, Elliott Norton, Caleb Wickline, Julius Sandoval, Jarixon Charo, Alfred Aguilar, Colton Arndt, Maxson Krupke, Xavier Kiscellus, Jordan Strohmaier and Dane Remke.
The Sideline cheerleaders also brought great passion and energy to their routines, Their members were Olivia Anfeldt, Elowyn Bilyard, Grace Botta, Miranda Brito, Cataleya Brito, Mercedes Brito-Sanchez, Cristina Brito-Sanchez, Natalie Castaneda, Penelope Cole, Bella Darling, Livi Dolan, Sophia Dolan, Ariana Eckart, LaCie Eskridge, Lilliana Fuentes, Milani Gamo, Leylani Gutierrez, Savannah Halper, Mia Martinez, Charlee Namm, Elizah Ocampo, Ivon Ovalle, Angelina Perez, Alycia Perez, Ashley Perez, Melissa Perez, Sophia Salas, Joslyn Shackelford, Hannah Shackelford, Julia Sliwsinski and Clara Thorsen.
