By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
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MOKENA— No matter how hard they tried, the Jr Celtics 13U team felt trapped in a nightmare they could not escape. Every bounce seemingly went against them, every moment somehow conspiring against their quest for victory. Even a bright moment was followed by the inexplicable.
“I’m going to be honest,” receiver and defensive back Tyler Fox said. “We came out bad. It was horrible. We didn’t have any energy.”
The Jr Celtics fell into an 18-point deficit midway through the third quarter. Then Tyler’s twin brother Dylan Fox finally broke free, and the game changed.
”After Dylan took that back,” Tyler Fox said. “We got energy, and we believed in ourselves. We’re Celtics, and we never quit. We have too much pride.”
The Jr Celtics 13U stormed back from the huge deficit only to see their epic comeback fall short in the 24-19 Homecoming loss to the Lockport Porters in Pop Warner League play on Main Park on Saturday, August 31.
The only positive development of the first half was a pass breakup in the end zone that kept the Jr Celtics within hailing distance. Up by two touchdowns to start the second half, Lockport created its largest lead at 18-0 by scoring on the opening possession of the third quarter.
That is when the game truly took a delirious turn. The play that changed the game technically did not count. On the ensuing kickoff, Dylan Fox finally broke free. Gathering the ball at the 24-yard line, he broke down the right sideline for the apparent 76-yard return touchdown. The play was called back for an illegal blindside block. The moment still proved euphoric.
“Even after the kick return by Dylan was called back, that really hyped our team,” Elliot Roethle said. “We were actually really happy.”
Dylan Fox was not going to be turned down twice. On the next play from scrimmage, he broke against the grain and ran free for the exhilarating 69-yard touchdown run. Roethle powered in the conversion. The atmosphere turned electric, and the Jr Celtics were not just revived. They were a different team.
“Not getting that kickoff return really hurt,” Dylan Fox said. “The second I heard the ball coming to me, I wanted to score the touchdown for my team. We deserved it.”
Daringly, the Jr Celtics attempted and converted back-to-back onside kicks. John Carter IV timed his run perfectly, and caught the ensuing kickoff in the air.
“I saw our kicker turn, and as soon I saw that, I just ran up and grabbed it,” Carter said. “Honestly that was the first time I ever had the ball, and started to run. It was awesome.”
Dylan Fox’s comeback score made it possible.
“That touchdown gave us a lot of energy,” Carter said. “Like we did the last game, we put that energy into the next couple of quarters. We did so many great things today, and we did it for the team, especially for the guys who got injured.”
One play after the Carter recovery, Roethle broke free on the inside handoff for a riveting 49-yard touchdown run. Despite the failed extra point, the Jr Celtics pulled within 18-13 by scoring twice within :53 seconds.
“I don’t know exactly what happened,” Roethle said. “Our practices this week got canceled because of the heat wave. At the start of the game, we weren’t doing well at all. We are a second half team. The onside kicks really hyped us up.”
The Jr Celtics worked their magic again as Ademide Bobade jumped on the deflection after the follow up onside bounced off a Porters’ player. The momentum appeared to subside after quarterback Kalan McCarron was stopped on fourth down. Roethle had other ideas. His 50-yard interception return gave the Jr Celtics a first down at the Porters’ 25-yard line.
“Our defense was not doing as well as our offense, and I wanted to change that,” he said.
Roethle stayed hot by rushing twice for a first down. Tyler Fox took over from there by talking a reverse down the left sideline for the magnetic 15-yard touchdown run. The extra point was stopped. The comeback was now officially complete. The Jr Celtics had their first lead at 8:32.
“We were coming back, and ready to play,” Tyler Fox said. “We were all tired and hurt, but we came back with energy.”
The only downside was the amount of energy and time to mount the comeback. Lockport still had sufficient time. Aided by a 15-yard personal foul penalty, the Porters responded with a methodical drive that took advantage of the fatigue by the Jr Celtics.
With 3:13 remaining, the game was far from over. Running back Kelly Slucki overcame an earlier injury with a spectacular 24-yard run. Dylan Fox nearly connected with Maddox Sperry on a halfback option pass. His throw was just behind the reach of Sperry. An apparent first down run by Tyler Fox was called back for a holding call. Dylan Fox’s second halfback option attempt ended with an interception. Dylan Fox was forced to rest a series after his third quarter run after he experienced trouble breathing.
“I think I was having a panic attack,” he said. He embodied the best qualities of the team. “I really wish I could have executed the last play in a different way,” Dylan Fox said. “I believe in our practices, we’re going to bring the energy. We don’t ever want to lose again. We are coming for the title.”
Quinton Hoffman, Jack Fletcher, Liam Stanek, Blake Roberts and Anthony Aldworth also showed tremendous effort on defense. One loss does not define the season.
“I feel like this week, we played way better than last week,” Roethle said. “Even though we lost, I think this comeback is going to show what we’re capable of.”
Despite the comeback that fell short in the Homecoming loss, the Jr Celtics also received strong play from Jeremiah Turman, Christopher Gravitt, Tegan Walsh, Michael Fryza, Austin Palacios, Jaxon Chalupa, Christian Flores, Henry Ambrose, Cameron Wade, Victor Lapointe and Henry Rettberg.
The Junior Varsity cheerleaders also performed admirably with skill, passion and precision in support of the team. Their members were 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, and Gianna Kettwig.
