By Bobby Narang- Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p24807336 **
NEW LENOX— All season long, the Illinois Jr. Celtics 13 U football team has made a habit of winning on Sunday.
So, why on a special day for celebration, would the Jr. Celtics spoil their season-long trend.
On eighth-grade recognition night, the 13U football grappled with some shoddy tackling, allowed a few big plays but pieced together a memorable showing on offense to post a 38-6 victory over the Darien Swarm at Bishop Kaffer Stadium.
Jr. Celtics coach Robert Russell said the final regular season game on the home field was a night to remember for his program.
“This is a great group of boys,” Russell said. “A lot of them started to play with me when I was nine years old. I was used to coaching at the older levels at 13 and 14U for multiple years, so I went down to coaching at 9U and start over again was extremely difficult for me.
“I hold them to a higher standard than I probably should have but they ate it up pretty well, so now they can fairly easy fix things and install things. They all believe in what we’re trying to accomplish.”
The Jr. Celtics (7-0) stayed unbeaten even though they struggled in the fourth quarter, allowing the visiting team to make some highlight plays.
Russell said his team has to be committed for four quarters, but the game was odd because of the home team producing every few long drives, relying on the big play and the defense struggling at times to hold the visiting team.
“I’m very disappointed with our defensive effort today, especially in the first half,” Russell said. “It really wasn’t the big plays, just poor open field tackling. We just have to go back and see the film because we definitely saw some weaknesses in our defense that need to be shored up.”
The defense came out aggressively early in the game. Matthew Webb, who had several long runs on offense, recorded a sack on the first drive of the game. Dominick Bennett added a great tackle to end the possession on fourth down by the Swarm.
The Jr. Celtics responded with a one-play scoring drive. Anthoni Stefos had an exciting 16-yard TD run for an 8-0 advantage. After recovering an onside kick, the home team attacked with Nakahti Thompson bursting loose for a 50-yard touchdown run for a 16-0 lead.
Two plays. Two touchdowns. That was pretty basic offense for the Jr. Celtics. The third touchdown – and third play for the home team – came on quarterback Michael Brown’s perfect pass which resulted in a touchdown reception for Stefos for a 24-0 lead. Brown celebrated the long TD pass by running over to his sidelines to be with his teammates.
Webb added his second sack on the next drive by the visiting team to end the first half with his team comfortably ahead.
“We had three offensive plays in the first half. It was a very weird game,” Russell said. “We’re pretty proficient on offense and were fortunate enough to score on the three possessions we had, but unfortunately, we weren’t getting the ball fast enough back.
“We like to move at a really fast pace. They did a great job at slowing the tempo down and kind of getting in space and figuring out a way to keep their drive going. It was very frustrating.”
The second half featured an odd play after Webb took a handoff and rumbled into the second line of defense on the Swarm, but he was stripped of the ball.
The Jr. Celtics quickly countered with Thompson scoring on 38-yard TD sprint that pushed the lead to 32-0. The Swarm scored their only touchdown via a 76-yard run late in the third quarter. The Jr. Celtics came right back with a touchdown in the fourth quarter via a nine-play drive.
Dominick Bennett and Bryce Robinson did most of the running on the drive. Bennett had a key 17-yard run and Robinson added an 11-yard carry before getting tripped up at the 9-yard line. On second-and-goal at the 6-yard line, Bennett went over the right side for the final touchdown of the game with 3:38 remaining.
Robinson said the offense closed out the game in grand style, eating up the time of possession and wearing down their opponent.
“We just made our plays and blocked really well,” Robinson said. “The backs did well following their blocks. The defense never knows who to cover on offense because we have a lot of good players. We have a very strong team.”
At the conclusion of the game, Russell wrapped up a short pep talk with his players in the end zone. Russell said he wanted several of his unsung players to comment on the season and game, offering a different perspective.
Cornerback Kyle Thompkins said he was happy to see himself and the team made big strides in the season.
“The defense was outstanding,” Thompkins said. “We executed the plays and our plans and ran our defense very well. The offense made out job so much easier. Everyone plays as a team this year and our season has been really good.”
Defensive end Kaiden Alexander said the defense mixed in some good and bad in the win.
“The defense played pretty decent, good enough for the win,” Alexander said. “We hit the gaps pretty strong and played strong. We had a lot of good plays. I liked all of our plays today. I’m happy how my season is going with this team. I’ve gotten better at executing the plays and my assignments.”
Cornerback Nolan Purtill said the team is clicking on all cylinders late in the season.
“I think the defense did good, especially stopping them up the middle,” Purtill said. “We have to get better at passing and with open field tackles. Our offense moved the ball and helped calm us down, to have those players who can score easy for us and they put us in a good position with the game.
“I think we’ve gotten better all around, from defensively and offensively and keeping our lanes on special teams and not allowing any big runs. I think I’m doing better at staying in my spot and not let anyone get outside of me.”
Russell added his team is performing at a high level late in the season but the coaching staff plans on fixing a few flaws.
“The offensive line has really come together,” Russell said. “All in all, a win is a win.”
The 13U team had contributions from the entire roster, including Frank Vosholler IV, Christian Taphorn, Thomas Walsh, Andrew Lowry, Adrian Friscia, Jack Fletcher, Maximus Dukups, Graham Salvador, Dominic Nemchausky, Caleb Griffin and Robert Hauck.
The Jr Celtics varsity cheerleaders were a large reason for the victory, which included 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 Mcdo.
