By Francisco Avila- Photos by Gavin Peterson
GILBERTS— intensity is everything in contact sports. When it’s lacking, the results show. That was the case for the Argo 10U Silver team, who fell 26–0 to a sharp and aggressive Arlington Heights Dawgs team on Saturday.
After the game, Argonauts head coach David Larson spoke to the falter in intensity. “We just need more intensity,” said Coach Larson. “They need to pick it up, play with intensity on every snap.”
The game started with some promising defensive energy. Alexander Geiger set the tone early with a strong tackle, followed by key stops from Misael Robles. Geiger later made a touchdown-saving tackle, showing flashes of fight in an otherwise difficult outing.
Despite those moments, the Dawgs broke through just three minutes into the game with a 5-yard touchdown to take a 6–0 lead. Argo responded with a promising drive, sparked by smooth offensive connections between quarterback Jason Frazier Jr. and Mason Gennell, but ultimately stalled and was forced to punt.
With two minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Dawgs struck again, this time with a 35-yard touchdown to double their lead, 12–0.
The Argos came out in the second quarter with renewed defensive energy. Jaydian Loquercio and Robles both delivered big tackles, trying to swing momentum back. Loquercio described his process in tackling: “I watch the ball, get into a good stance, and watch where the quarterback is going. Once I see who has it, I run straight to them,” he said.
But another lapse in intensity allowed the Dawgs to extend their lead with a 40-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter. After converting the extra point, they led 19–0.
Late in the half, Argo looked to respond. Frazier Jr. found David Roman III with a solid pass, but the team came up just short of a first down. One play later, Frazier connected with Geiger on a 15-yard completion that moved his side even further.
“I think I could’ve done better staying on my feet, going low when I grabbed it,” Geiger said, always looking to sharpen his game.
With 30 seconds left in the half, Frazier and Geiger linked up again to reach the 30-yard line.
“I just went away from the blockers and cut back. He was nowhere near me, so I had time to make the pass,” Frazier recalled.
Despite the late push, Argo couldn’t find the end zone and was forced to punt once more. Just before halftime, the Dawgs capitalized on missed tackles and broke free for another 40-yard touchdown, converting the extra point to take a commanding 26–0 lead into the break.
The second half continued to frustrate the Argonauts. Frazier Jr. struggled to find space for a run or a clean pass, as the Dawgs’ defense stayed relentless.
“We didn’t block, and we weren’t able to move the ball,” said Frazier.
Defensively, Argo continued to fight. Roman and Geiger delivered big tackles in the closing stages, with Geiger notching a strong sack late in the fourth quarter.
“I think I could’ve tackled him earlier, didn’t want to let him run around the O-line and our corner,” said Geiger, reflecting on the play.
Despite the scoreline, the Argonauts showed individual flashes of effort and commitment. Coach Larson and his squad will regroup and aim to bring more consistent energy into their next matchup.
Key contributors in the game included Eli Bennet, Benjamin Bernick, Jonathan Carranco Rodriguez, Isaiah Charro, Liam Messiah Eskridge, Dominic Forlini, Declan Larson, Dante Liang, Nathan Sciepuk, Beckett St. Leger, Jean-Carlo Valies, Benjamin Villa, and Austin Whiteman.
