By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Kathy Jones
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MOKENA— Young players have a natural and intuitive talent for picking up what they see watching others.
The Jr Celtics 6U team almost dreams about doing something positive and fun. Then they go about making it happen on the field in real time.
“I love stiff-arming guys who try to come up and tackle me,” running back Logan Cesek said.
The need proved unnecessary if the defense never comes close to touching you. Going their hardest and doing everything possible underscored their commitment and desire to learn how to play the game.
At Main Park on Saturday, August 24, the eight-man Jr Celtics began their new season against the Memorial Park Spartans in a Pop Warner League game.
No score is kept under the league format. The Jr Celtics clearly had the advantage and better play.
Logan Cesek scored two long touchdown runs when the game was called late in the third quarter with the Spartans suiting up just 10 players.
Playing for his father, coach Matt Cesek, the younger Cesek simply outran everybody in sight. “He’s fast,” Matt Cesek said.
The Jr Celtics 6U program is an 18-player team learning about the fundamentals of the game, developing their own technique, style and appreciation. The players are rocking, and learning to love the game and what it represents.
Quarterback Sebastian Kouba orchestrated the attack.
“It was really just our speed, and our offensive line that did a great job making the holes,” Kouba said. “It was a great way to start our season.”
Kouba likes to model his game after Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills.
“You’re on the field almost every play, and you always have the ball,” Kouba said. “You can run or throw it, and we have so many good running backs and a good snapper
He showed stern stuff against the Spartans, running the offense to perfection. The Jr Celtics scored on all three first half possessions.
The Jr Celtics forced a turnover on defense, and did not permit a first down. The Spartans’ only first down came on a personal foul.
“Practice makes perfect,” Kouba said.
Gannon Mathis, Knox Kucala, Jackson Baker, David Honkisz, Mack Simon, Knash Hazdra and Camden Styx showed great energy, activity and two-way power for the Jr Celtics.
The Spartans had no answer.
“At this age level, being prepared is the most important key to football,” Matt Cesek said. “If you can be prepared, the kids are able to have fun, and I think that helps them play even better.”
Brady Fitzgerald started out the game on a perfect note with a three-yard loss on the Spartans’ opening play. Honkisz followed up with back to back tackles.
Logan Cesek showed what he was capable of when the Jr Celtics took possession. Taking a pitch on the right side from Kouba, Logan Cesek ran 70 yards untouched down the right sideline.
“I like to run fast, and nobody could really tackle me today,” Logan Cesek said. “I just love the speed of the game. Our quarterback handed off really good, and I was able to juke some people and score a lot of touchdowns.”
Matt Cesek said the team is divided between returning players and those playing their first organized competition.
“We have a few kids who played with us last year, and they are able to show the kids who are just started the pointers and help them lead them in the right direction,” Matt Cesek said.
Logan Cesek illustrated the first rule—run fast, hard and never look back. “This is my second year playing, and I’m ready to have an even bigger year,” Logan Cesek said. “I love running the ball, and scoring touchdowns.”
With the younger Cesek paving the way, Liam Adent matched his output. The first time he touched the ball, he went 55 yards for the touchdown.
“I love practicing, and the more you run, the faster you get,” Adent said. “Nobody on their team could catch me. If you run into them hard, they’ll fall back or they won’t be able to get your down.”
After Honkisz and Ryan Sanders combined to make three consecutive stops for the defense, Logan Cesek ended the perfect first half with another 70-yard touchdown run.
In the third quarter, Adent ripped off another 33-yard run. One play later, Kaleb Cloutier punctuated the ideal performance with his own 33-yard scoring run.
“I like to push them away so I don’t get tackled,” Cloutier said. “I just sprint so they don’t catch me. You have to do all of your hard work right away, and the other team won’t know how to handle you.”
The Jr Celtics received standout contributions from its entire roster against the Spartans. Those players included Brantley Fischer, Colin Frainey, Kaleb Neylon, Vincent Iuliano and Leonidas Christou.
