By Miles Toogo- Photos by Jenn Anne Gledhill
** Additional Photos are Available for purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p67094294 **
Melrose Park— Spring Football is becoming more and more popular throughout the country. Among those providing an opportunity to continue play on the gridiron is IL 5-Star Nation.
IL 5-Star Nation entered its fifth year of existance under the tutelage of Coach Bell-his preferred and recognized name. Bell is President and State Director of the Illinois chapter of the 5-Start Nation National Program.
Hosting teams from the tri-state area of Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, the Spring season crowned Champions beginning at 6U through 14U last weekend in Melrose Park. The Spring Season will conclude with an All-Star Event on June 15 and then enter its tournament schedule prior to the Fall regular season. A pre-season structure of games.
Coach Bell will continue to be a busy man throughout.
“I thought we had a phenomenal Championship day,” said Coach Bell. ” I believe we were very structured with the staff we have and comfortable throughout the day. I also feel the best teams in Illinois play in 5-Star Nation.”
About the only part of running a league Coach Bell feels he wishes he could improve on is one thing. “Field Availability is one thing I’d like to improve, sometimes it’s a challenge.”
Kick-starting the Champions day were the Chicago HellCats taking on the Midwest Jr Hawks in the 6U division.
At this level. it’s 8-man football with restrictive rules but the same clashing of helmets and pads exists, also, the effort is without question of these Mites with swarming colisions at the ball on each play.
For the Midwest Jr. Hawks, the ability to take advantages of miscues resulted in scores , while the Chicago HellCats couldn’t finish golden opportunities twice along with the scrutiny of the Referees eyes which nullified two scores, resulting in the Jr. Hawks 18-0 Championship victory.
With a running clock at this level, games are quick so, teams try to get plays off as fast as possible but directing 6-year-olds can be a difficult chore so time winds down fast.
Beginning the game defensively, the HellCats made quick work of the Jr. Hawks, forcing a punt after three plays on a pair of stops by CJ Taylor Jr. and a solo tackle by Legend Williams
It took just two plays for the HellCats to knock on the Endzones door step after Williams headed around left end and raced 65-yards to the Jr. Hawks 3-yard-line.
After one quarter, the game was scoreless with the HellCats threatening.
Unfortunately, beginning the second quarter, three straight runs produced negative yards along with a penalty that forced the HellCats to release the ball on downs.
After Taylor Jr. made another tackle, the Jr. Hawks broke free around right end and streaked 91-yards for the opening score and a 6-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
On the very next play, the HellCats’ Antawaun Harris busted free and powered past the Jr. Hawks defense racing up the middle of the field headed for the score. after being tackled in the endzone, the lack of urgency to follow the play by the referees would end up nullifying the sure score and place the ball at the 1-yard-line.
Once again, the breaks cost the HellCats. First the miscue by a lazy official crew and next a coughed-up snap that bounced off Williams and was recovered by the Jr. Hawks, ceasing the second opportunity to score for the HellCats.
After a tackle by Williams on the Jr. Hawks first effort after the fumble recovery, the advantage by the Jr. Hawks would double on a 97-yard jaunt around left end that made the score 12-0 heading into half time.
Down 12-0, you never felt the game was in hand the way the HellCats were rushing the ball with big plays. That continued in the second half but twice, Williams masterful runs to the endzome were called back as officials picked out holding penalties on the HellCats offense.
Ironically, at this level you could call holding on every play, but to regret of the HellCats, they were only noticed on them as the Jr. Hawks were never flagged for holding the entire game.
The HellCats relied heavily on runningback Legend Williams and he produced several big runs but was also the main focus of the Jr. Hawks defense, resulting in Williams sustaining big hits that caused his emotions to show at times. His durability was key on both sides of the ball and for that reason, the HellCats were never trully out of the game until the final whistle.
“I broke some tackles and scored two times but our blockers were holding so it didn’t count,” said Williams. “I got tired but I could do better juking. I dont like we lost.”
Continuing to pound the ball with Williams and a peppering of Harris, the HellCats tried to get on the score board but to no avail. The thrid quarter cocluded with no scoring as the HellCats offense used the entire alloted time heading to the final stanza of the game.
Both Williams and Harris continued to rush the ball well into the final quarter, not releasing the ball on downs until little time was left, however, there was time enough for the Jr. Hawks to add one final long run to the endzone to secure the 18-0 win as time expired, earning them the 6U 5-Star Nation 2026 Spring League Championship.
Several other players contributed with big efforts throughout the Championship.
Defensively, CJ Tayor Jr. was stellar. He started the game in the backfield and finished much of the time the same way. His aggressive play was noticeable from the onset and showcased his talent level which has no cealing.
“I was trying to look for the person with the ball.” said Taylor Jr. “I missed some tackles but I made some good tackles. It was easy blocking guys. When I was running forward, I was trying to tackle the person with the ball. I think I did that good. This game wasn’t hard for me today.”
Also showng his prowess carrying the ball was Antawaun Harris. A solid build runner, get in his way, you’ll pay for it. But he isn’t just a basher with the ball, he can make a move or jump over you as he focuses on getting to the endzone. He too had a spectacular run that surely was a touchdown.
“I like running the football because it is easier for me to get a touchdown,” said Harris. “I was in the endzone on that long run where I had to juke some people and get them off me. I did think they would catch me but I was caught in the endzone. I hurt my wrist a little and I like playing offense more than defense because i like running the ball.”
To have a good offense in football, especially running the ball or have a solid defense, line play is vital. For Kyan White, playing both sides of the ball is getting the job done regardless of who or how many challenge you. His play was easy to see in this game especially when double teamed.
“I hear my dad when I am out there. It helps me play harder,” said White. “I played good today. Easy playing offense but it was hard playing defense.”
White was often double-teamed and proceeded to explain how he fought off the double team.
“You put one hand on one of them and then swing him towards you then get him off you and then do the same to the other one and then you back into the line. I think I’m better on offense blocking. I think I need to pick my speed up and my feet moving. I think I did great at pancake and blocking.”
“We just had some tough breaks,” said Coach Walter Lackings. I thought we scored on Harris run. Today for me its all about execution. I tell then all the time you just got to finish. Sometimes when you get close you get excited but you got to finish the play. We just didnt get the breaks. We were light on numbers so we were tired , All the players that played gave their all, I’m proud them. Im looking forwward to playing them in the fall. I really felt we had a better team.”
Other HellCats giving their all in the Championship game were Ezra Riley, Jude Parker, Priest Phillips, Josiah Anderson, Grant Wright and Jaxton Clark.
