Jr. Celtics 11U Skin Leyden Bears at Marist

By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Gary Larsen

**Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p201714435 **

CHICAGO—If quarterback is both the most privileged and demanding position, Michael Brown is certain to leave his mark on the game.

“My favorite part about playing the position is calling my own plays, and passing the ball,” he said.

The quarterback put the rest of the talented team from the Jr Celtics 11U in his very capable hands, with a side assist from his electric feet and accurate touch.

Brown orchestrated an explosive start and showcased his larger versatility in the 30-0 win over the Leyden Bears in a Pop Warner League game at Marist High School on Sunday, October 15.

Working brilliantly off the two-way play of Nakhati Thompson, Brown directed the attack with a cool precision and sharp command. 

Nothing was out of place, or left to chance.

The Jr Celtics scored on their first three possessions in running out to a 22-0 lead at halftime.

With due respect, the opposition was not the Bears. It was reaching their own standard of excellence, and even improving on it.

“The games are a lot of fun, the coaches do a great job with us, and they make the games a lot of fun,” Brown said. “Sometimes the farther apart the games are in the score are maybe not as fun.

“Every team is a hard fighter, and you have to be ready for everything.”

The Jr Celtics set the tone early, working off the slashing style of Thompson, the interior thrusts of Dominic Bennett, and the cool play of Brown.

The pieces all beautifully meshed together.

“First of all I want to say thank you to my linemen, and we couldn’t score or do anything without them,” Bennett said. “I think when we get the ball first, and get our linemen excited and ready to play.

“When we play like that, I think we could score every time, or take on any team we face.”

The contrasting tones of Brown and Thompson created a propulsive forward momentum the rest of the team crested off. 

Thompson broke outside runs of 26, six and eight yards. Brown worked inside for separate runs of nine and eight yards. 

He started the scoring in style with a six-yard run down the right edge. For added measure, Brown converted the first of his three successful two-point kicks.

“I knew it was going to be a tough, hard-fought game,” Brown said. “When we scored that touchdown, I felt we’d come up with the win.”

If the versatile and aggressive running game underscored the offensive identity, the fast, physical and punishing style proved the corollary on the defensive side.

The Bears never stood a chance. Three of their first four plays from scrimmage either went for negative yardage or no gain.

Thompson was a one-man wrecking crew on defense, using his speed and acceleration in the middle to roam sideline to sideline, or break plays up at the point of attack.

The Bears had some big running backs, but they were not terribly fluid or mobile, and they needed time to get forward. Thompson repeatedly got to them before they could get downhill, resulting in multiple tackles for loss.

Thompson had nine tackles, five of them for losses.

“Whenever we play a team, we prepare and watch a lot of film of them,” Thompson said. “We watch film every week to improve our craft. I think playing defense is an underrated part of my game. 

“Defense can win games. The offense scores, and does what it has to do.”

Kaiden Alexander was a force on the defensive interior, allowing Thopmson, Jackson Shanahan, Dominic Nemchausky and Izhok Jaber repeated opportunities to create pressure, or blow up the Bears’ attack before it got started.

Anthoni Stefos was also a dominant interior presence.

The Jr Celtics gashed the Bears on the edge, or through the middle, taking advantage of blockers creating significant running lanes, and Thompson to exploit those openings.

After a 17-yard burst by Thompson, Bennett created the two touchdown lead with the appropriately distanced 14-yard burst.

“I have a power style,” he said. “I think with this game and some of the other blowouts we’ve had this season, that is going to get us ready for the playoffs.”

The game played as if on a memory loop, with recurrent moments and telling actions as the Jr Celtics quick, destabilizing defense disrupted the Bears’ attack, and the offense ran smoothly and efficiently.

Brown and Thompson took advantage of the ideal field position.

After Shanahan and Thompson forced a turnover on downs, the Jr Celtics went back to work. The electric Thompson turned the game into his own field of dreams.

He took a pitch and ran 36 yards for the third touchdown with 5:14 remaining in the third quarter.

With Thompson at the height of his game, the Jr Celtics could do pretty much anything they desired.

Cameron Bateman punctuated the near perfect first half performance with an interception, his third of the season, on the Bears’ subsequent drive.

Bateman parlayed his strong defensive performance into some offensive reps, where he took some carries in the backfield.

“On defense you have to recognize the situations, and know when they’re trying to pass the ball,” Bateman said. “You have to run hard, and make the play. I saw the ball go up, and I just attacked it.

“No matter the score, you always have to stay focused.”

Thompson finished his breathtaking performance with a 27-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

As great as he was, the defense was his equal. Bryce Robinson and Adrian Friscia applied constant pressure, creating a string of nightmarish scenarios for the Bears.

“I really think their offensive line was slow, and tired and not firing off the ball really well,” Friscia said. “Their running backs were tough. That No. 14 was big.

“I really think I was so effective today by getting into the gaps, and the coaches calling great plays.”

After a surprise defeat against Aurora three weeks ago, the Jr Celtics learned never to any team or action for granted.

“After the Aurora game, the coaches just encouraged us to work harder,” Robinson said. “Our defensive line was breaking through their offensive line, and there wasn’t really anything they could do.

“Our offense did whatever it wanted, and the defense really shut them down.”

The Jr Celtics 11U team featured excellent contributions from a number of players in the 30-0 victory. The other featured players were Jaxon Brown, Brayden Firlit, Nolan Purtill, Frank Vosholler IV, Christian Taphorn, Thomas Walsh, Andrew Lowry, Caden Russell, Kyle Tompkins, Mason Jones, Caleb Jablonski, Carter Gericke, Benjamin Tiernan, Anthoni Stefos, Maximus Dukups and Logan McGrath