By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p288522004 **
MOKENA—The change was vital and necessary, and not limited to just a couple of players.
The Jr Celtics 11U D3 program was facing an early crisis that needed a correction and different approach.
“I feel like in the second half we turned the switch on, and played our game,” Anthony Baniewicz said. I think we all just wanted to be playmakers.”
The end proved both bittersweet and deeply satisfying.
The Jr Celtics 11U D3 program shut down the Plainfield Saints and found its offensive identity in the 7-7 Homecoming tie in Pop Warner League action at Main Park on Sunday, August 31.
“I think we got off to a slow start during the first half,” coach Tony Urso said. “Then once the boys settled in, I think they understood the game plan. They slowly started believing in themselves.”
Nothing illustrated the change in fortunes more than the team’s scoring drive.
Quarterback Bryce Szczpaniak connected with Declan Kirk in the right flat on a swing pass.
Kirk found daylight behind a wall of blockers and danced into the end zone on the 20-yard scoring play on the opening drive of the second half.
“That was supposed to be the first play of the game,” Kirk said. “I was just injured and did something to my thumb. We ran it again when I came back in, and the guys blocked really well, and I saw the open space and I just ran.”
A two-way force, Greyson Johnson followed up with a standout play of his own for the tying conversion point.
Johnson is kind of an anomaly, a big guy with the feet of a ballet dancer. Opponents are naturally shocked when they see someone with his size fly out on pass routes.
Szczpaniak rolled right and found Johnson in the shallow part of the end zone with two defenders draped all over him.
Johnson secured the ball for the crucial extra point.
It was not an isolated play. Johnson’s 14-yard pass from Szczpaniak was the team’s longest play from scrimmage in the first half.
“My parents always say that about other players not realizing how fast I am because of my size,and they don’t expect me to do those things,” Johnson said. ”We practice that play a lot for the conversion. I like getting the ball in that situation, so I was really happy.”
The only down note was the team not allowed a chance to try and win the game outright in overtime.
After consulting league rules reporting that D3 programs are not eligible for overtime games, the officials declared the game a tie.
In a game with two distinct parts, the Jr Celtics found their better half after the intermission that saw them trailing 7-0.
“Our coaches told us to lock in and get it done, and that’s exactly what we did,” Kirk said.
With the offense generating few possibilities during the first half, the defense stepped into the void. Kirk, Baniewicz, Szczpaniak, Johnson, Mason Munch and Asher Kokolus matched up with the speed and athleticism of the Saints’ playmakers.
Baniewicz worked out of the right edge, and Johnson stuffed the middle of the line. The defense kept the game close, allowing the offense time to find its own rhythm.
Down just the one score the Jr Celtics were confident of a comeback. Again, the defense was the catalyst.
Tomasino Urso, Kirk and Johnson posted three consecutive negative plays on the Saints’ opening drive of the second half. Johnson’s crushing fourth down hit set up the best field position of the game at the Saints’ 36-yard line.
Szczpaniak made the most important play with his legs, motoring around the left side for 14 yards on third and long.
“My favorite part about being the QB is all the pressure you have to face,” he said. “You have the chance to make the big throws or runs that change the game. Running or throwing, I’m going to do whatever it takes.”
He connected with Casey Gahan on a 10-yard completion across the middle to keep the chains moving.
“In that second half, we did a great job with our assignments and our blocking,” Gahan said. “We worked really hard to get that touchdown. Bryce knows where I am all the time. He also called some audibles that helped extend the drive.”
Szczpaniak made quick decisions with the ball that helped nullify the Saints’ athletic rush.
He delivered in the clutch.
“What I learned from this game is just going forward, I’ll try to work hard with my passing. I have to be patient and not nervous.”
One play after the Johnson conversion point tied the score, he bull rushed the Saints’ quarterback for a five-yard loss. William Janik and Austin Flynn also stepped up with pressure that stopped the Saints in their tracks.
On the Saints’ final drive, Baniewicz registered two big stops, and Johnson and Flynn also collaborated on the final stop.
“We started being confident in our blitzes,” Johnson said. “In our game last week, we gave their quarterback too much time and didn’t get the pressure. This week we stepped up.”
The Jr Celtics had one final possession with 1:21 remaining. Gahan caught a seven-yard pass. The drive ended with two incomplete passes just out of the reach of Celtics’ players.
“I think we’re looking good out there,” Gahan said. “I think we’re going to connect going forward, and win some games.”
The big part is learning at their own speed and pace.
“They’re developing,” Tony Urso said. “First and foremost that’s what we said we were going to do at the beginning of the season. Our job is to develop them.”
In the 7-7 Homecoming tie, the Jr Celtics 11U D3 team featured many standout contributors. They included Dean Copack, Romeo Brooks, Jonathan Collins, Thomas McLaughlin, Eli Schubert, Luke Husenger, Shareef Allan, Brady Lindholm, Grant Whitchurch, Connor Seltzer and Liam Berland.
The Jr Celtics varsity cheerleaders also showed great spirit and passion with their routines. Their members are Vivienne Andresen, Charlotte Fowler, Bevin Scanlan, Anais Nunnally, Eloise Morrison, Brianna Adair, Skyler Guinea, Luciana Kolenko, Gabrielle Migacz, Madison Varnado, Olivia Freyer, Ashlyn Woods, Charlotte Ozinga, Teagan Smith, Anya Stojak, Gianna Ponzi, Penny Oeser, Ella Dobbelhoff, Gianna Picciola, Mia Rhodes, Jessica Short, Chloe DiBennardi and Charlotte Mcdonald.
The sideline cheerleaders are made up of Peyton Leo-Johnson, Dani Samanich, Vivienne Brunette, Madisyn Singleton, Brooklyn Firlit, Cora Smiley, Caroline Murphy, Kelsey Niemeyer, Mila Cox, Brooke Copack, Juliana Jachymiak and Lucille Nelson.
—30–
