By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
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MOKENA— Nakhati Thompson is the supreme gift who keeps on giving. Every time he touches the ball, the running back seemingly bends everything around him to his own will.
“I just have to give credit to our line,” he said. “If we didn’t have players like that, the game would have been much different.”
Thompson rushed for 132 yards and three touchdowns as the Jr Celtics 12U overpowered the Memorial Park Spartans 45-24 in a Pop Warner League game at Main Park on Sunday, August 25.
If the offensive line played a crucial role in creating open seams and avenues for Thompson, he was not the only beneficiary throughout the talented roster.
Quarterback Michael Brown also ran for two touchdowns, and Bryce Robinson made a momentum swinging play on special teams. He added his own sensational touchdown jaunt that sealed the victory.
Dominick Bennett had two interceptions and four tackles for the defense.
Each side showcased some glittering athleticism and top-end talent in combining for seven touchdowns in the second half.
The Jr Celtics overcame a slow start to blow the game open early in the second half.
Michael Brown also kicked four two-point conversations that swelled the Jr Celtics’ point total.
“We didn’t do that well the first offensive plays,” Brown said. “We got the game into gear after halftime. Everybody stepped up, with Bryce on special teams, the line and Nakhati on offense and defense.”
Amazingly the first quarter featured no scoring.
Thompson ripped off an 18-yard run and Brown followed with his own 13-yard burst. The drive stalled as the Jr Celtics worked through the early kinks of playing their first game of the season.
The game featured its own slingshot effect, with both sides throwing big offensive haymakers and seeing who’d beat the first to flinch.
The Spartans’ physical and gifted running back scored the first of three long touchdown runs in the second quarter.
Suddenly a game the Jr Celtics appeared in total command was just a two-point spread and the second quarter clock winding down.
Two Brown runs of 10 and eight yards set up a blinding 25-yard Thompson burst down the right sideline near the end zone. Brown officially was credited with the touchdown on a two-yard run. His conversion kick pushed the lead to 16-6.
Thompson is lighting, able to use his burst, quickness and speed to get immediately to the edge.
Brown is the perfect contrast who picks when the moment is right to find his own runs.
“The best part about playing quarterback here is that I know I could call any play, because I trust everyone on this team,” he said. “I love running the ball, but I also love passing it.”
Bennett ended the Spartans’ first half threat with his interception.
Perhaps inspired by the play of his younger brother Neyland Robinson in the 11U game, Bryce Robinson changed the complexion of the game with his hustle on the second half kickoff. Bryce Robinson charged down the left sideline and jumped on the live ball at the Spartans’ 11-yard line, taking advantage of the apparent confusion by their deep returners.
Neyland Robinson had a kickoff return touchdown in the 11U 19-13 overtime loss.
“They were confused and they seemed to be getting upset, and they were kind of breaking down,” Robinson said. “I just ran past them.”
Thompson scored an 11-yard run on the ensuing play.
“We have a great bond on this team,” Thompson said. “We watch a lot of film together, probably a lot more than any other program. It allows us to play great as a team.”
The second Bennett interception set up Brown’s 11-yard touchdown run.
A game that was separated by two points near the end of the first half ballooned to 30-6.
Thomnpson, Bennett, Kaiden Alexander, Anthoni Stefos, Nolan Purtill and Graham Salvador excelled for the defense.
The Jr Celtics overcame some uncharacteristic breakdowns that allowed the Spartans to rip off 65-yard and 85-yard touchdown runs.
The game was never in doubt.
“I thought we did a great job with our reads, and now we just have to work on our tackling,” Stefos said. ”That one kid was just blasting through everyone. If we brought him down the way we normally play, they never would have scored.”
Robinson punctuated the offensive explosion with just over three minutes to play. With the Spartans crowding the line, he broke through and outraced the secondary for a sensational 75-yard touchdown run.
“Everybody was hyped about this game today,” Robinson said. “Everybody remembers our last game, a four-overtime state championship loss where we felt the game was taken from us. That experience is going to motivate us the whole year.”
This Jr Celtics iteration is on a mission to remove any doubts or questions.
”Our blocking was great, and the people at the front of the line really did well,” Purtill said. “Everybody on this team remembers that last game. We took all our anger out, and now we’re a different team.”
The skill players made the plays when it mattered. Everybody played their part.
“It’s all from the line,” Bennett said. “They opened the holes, and created the chances. Everybody has been playing together for a long time. When you play with someone that you’ve been friends with for a long time, the guys get stronger as a team.”
The Jr Celtics 12U team featured many outstanding contributions from its entire roster. Those players included Brayden Firlit, Hunter Guisinger, Frank Vosholler IV, Christian Taphorn, Thomas Walsh, Andrew Lowry, Ethan Vargas, Caden Russell, Dominic Nenchausky, Kyle Tompkins, Jackson Shanahan, Robert Hauck, Jaxon Brown, Adrian Friscia, Caleb Jablonski, Carter Gericke, Maximus Dukups, Logan McGrtath, and Lincoln Lopez.
The combined PeeWee and Junior Varsity cheerleaders brought passion, skill and athletic daring of their own in support of the team. The PeeWee members included Angelica Enright, Gabrielle Migacz, Luciana Kolenko, Teagan Smith, Bevin Scanlan, Mia Rhodes, Charlotte Fowler, Madison Baker, Anya Stojak, Alexis Vollman, Eloise Morrison, Madison Varnado, Ashlyn Woods, Olivia Freyer, Gianna Ponzi, Abigeal Shaughnessy, Gianna Picciola, Jessica Short, Penny Oeser, Chloe DiBennardi, Brianna Adair.
The Junior Varsity consisted of Audrey Larson, Grace Corwhurst, Alexis Firlit, Raelynn Anderson, Vivienne Andresen, Riley Hoffman, Elle Dobblehoff, Skyler Guinea, Roe Lubovich, Mia Calleros, Charlotte McDonald, Emma Hamstra, Maleah Capadona, Charlotte Ozinga, Gianna Kettwig.
