By Patrick McGavin- Photos by Renee Kaspar
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NEW LENOX— Success is measured in so many different ways, even when the cold and hard numbers tell a completely different story.
Taken purely by the bottom line, the new start for the Jr. Celtics 13U program was a cruel and harsh one.
The team gave up big passing plays that deflated the enthusiasm. If the game between the lines went one specific way, the psychological one was more telling.
“We fought mentally, and I thought we showed a lot of good fight the whole game,” defensive lineman Gavin Collins said.
“We never gave up, and we kept playing hard the whole game.”
The effort was always there and present, even if the result was far from ideal. That provides a more optimistic path going forward.
The Jr. Celtics fell behind early and never caught up in the 38-14 loss against the Ottawa Wolfpack in Pop Warner League play at Providence High School on Sunday, August 23.
On the first play from scrimmage, Collins had a three-yard sack.
The excitement faded a couple of plays later. Facing third and seven, the Wolfpack broke down the secondary of the Jr. Celtics for a 49-yard touchdown pass.
The Wolfpack ended up with three different touchdown receptions of more than 40 yards. The vertical threat effectively destabilized the Jr. Celtics.
It also created a mathematical disadvantage the team could never overcome.
“I think we have got to clean up the passing game,” Collins said. “I think it was a combination of us breaking down, and making mistakes. They had good execution, but we need to fix it up.
“Even though we got down early, I thought we did a good job of staying up in the game. We made it a one-score game, and they scored again. It just wasn’t our day.”
The touchdown pass and subsequent turnover put the Jr. Celtics in an early hole. Trailing 13-0, the team steadied itself and found an offensive rhythm late in the first quarter.
Quarterback Garrett Hansen was able to get the ball out to running back Austen Farmer in the flat. John Chucri showed excellent toughness and balance running off tackle.
Hansen made a nice throw on a 19-yard completion over the middle to tight end Kadeem Singleton that pushed the ball into the red zone.
One play later, Chucri blasted around the edge for an 11-yard touchdown run. Despite failing on the conversion attempt, the Jr. Celtics suddenly felt rejuvenated by pulling within a single score.
“The first couple of series, we ran the ball pretty well, but we didn’t do a good job of protecting the ball,” Hansen said. “Once that happened, we struggled a bit with the passing game because they knew we were going to throw.
“The big thing is not holding the ball, and getting it out quicker.”
The momentum did not hold.
The Wolfpack needed just a couple of minutes to answer, again going over the top and into deep space on a 45-yard touchdown reception. The Jr Celtics were reeling, and trying to formulate a response.
Farmer went 22 yards on a swing pass, and Chucri burst off a 13-yard run. Here was the moment for the Jr. Celtics to make their own statement.
The drive ended on a fourth and goal incomplete pass that just went beyond the reach of wideout Neyland Robinson.
“It wasn’t just one player, or anything, but the whole team,” Farmer said. “I know in my case I could have done a better job of finding seams and looking for holes.
“I felt like we responded pretty well, but we can’t start games like this with turnovers and mistakes. We have to be able to start the game early. You can’t be a second half team.”
The start of the third quarter was a nightmare of a different type with another interception that gave way to a touchdown pass by the Wolfpack.
The vast separation between the teams also marked the silver lining, and something the coaches hope to build upon. The Jr. Celtics were battered, but never stopped hustling and felt any kind of pity for what was happening.
The team showed signs of life, with a toughness, resilience and fortitude. Late in the third quarter, Singleton and Robinson opened up the passing game.
Farmer produced the team’s best individual play by dashing 39 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown in the closing minute of the third quarter.
Just as encouraging, Kristian Willis drilled the two-point kick.
After forcing a punt, Farmer appeared to blast off for an 85-yard touchdown scamper. Unfortunately it was called back by a procedure penalty.
On both sides of the ball, the Jr. Celtics showed improvement through the course of the game. Hansen showed poise and toughness in the pocket. Robinson flashed great speed, and Singleton displayed strong and sure hands.
The dash and smash running styles of Farmer and Chucri were also deeply positive signs.
Defensively, Jackson Shanahan, Broderick Wallace, Dayton Jackson and Collins showed a great deal of potential.
It was, after all, just one game, with many more to follow. No season was ever defined after one week.
“I think we needed a bit of an awakening because we haven’t had a game in like nine months or something like that,” Robinson said. “Everything was building up to this day.
“I just feel like if we get hit in the mouth, we’ll come out even stronger because we know we don’t want the game to be like this again.”
Continuity and confidence flow naturally together.
“I think the offense just needs some time, and for us to get into a rhythm and find some consistency,” Robinson said. “Sometimes all you need is one big play, and that leads to a couple of big drives.”
This team is the culmination of their experience with the program. The closeness and the chemistry is another crucial part of the makeup and character.
One game won’t change that.
“The bond on this team is really good,” Hansen said. “I’ve known half or more than half of the guys on the team for the past three years now. We have some news kids, and we can’t wait for them to be on the team this year.
“I think, offensively, we just need more reps. I know the blocking is going to get better, every week by week. I feel confident we’re going to come back next week, and destroy everyone we play.”
The combative and competitive spirit of the closing stretch is what the team hopes to show more of.
“I think it just showed that you have to fight through the whole game, no matter what the score is,” Farmer said. “You can’t let anything stop you. That’s the positive. It’s always great to fight until the very end.
“I think definitely in our next game we’re going to do a better job of coming out of the gate.”
Despite the loss, the Jr. Celtics 13U team had many standout contributors. They were John Dundas, Gregorio Adame, Easton Breen, Elliot Bodine, Nathan Quiroz, Austin Crites, Colin Bailey, Adeyinka Bobade, Moises Yepez, Lorenzo DeCarlo, Bryce Kaplan, Jaxon Brown, Jaxon Cullum, Adekunle Bobade, Charles Fletcher, Maximus Dukups, Aiden Losieczka and Sten Fleck.
The Illinois Junior Celtics Competition Cheer Team also brought passion and style to their routines. Their members are Madelyn Barbahen, Lily Burke, Natalie Calhoun, Jillian Clarke, Charlotte Engstrom, Scarlett Faddah, Aria Farmer, Sabrina Guanajuato, Sophia Guanajuato, Emma Price, Dani Samanich, Madisyn Singleton, Liliana Wood, Naya Young-Bay.
