By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Kathy Jones
**Additional Photos are available for purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/f1149347**
CHICAGO—
The memories burned bright in the vivid imagination of Ryan D’Andrea.
As the starting quarterback for the Junior Varsity team of the Mt. Greenwood Colts, he saw their 19-6 loss to the New Lenox Jr. Knights on October 16 as a cruel reminder of where they had to get.
Just as important, he knew what stood in his way. The opportunity of a second chance, or football redemption, was staring him down.
He was not going to waste the moment.
“I think today we were a lot more disciplined, and we had a lot more energy than any of our other games this year,” D’Andrea said.
D’Andrea threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more scores as the Colts thrashed the Jr. Knights 42-24 in the Super Bowl of the River Valley Youth Football League at St. Xavier University on Sunday, November 13.
“This is great,” D’Andrea said.
“From the start of the season to the end, we wanted to win it all.”
In just their second year in the league, the Colts achieved a remarkable transformation from the growing pains of a new entrant and showcased dazzling speed and breakaway threats on offense and disruptive and cohesive play on defense.
“With last year being our first year in the league, it kind of stretched us a bit with the weights, and adjusting to the ages and how that went,” Colts’ JV coach Anthony DePaola said.
“We were making those first year adjustments to the new league.”
The Colts (9-1) completed a dominant championship run by generating an 88-42 scoring differential in their three playoff games.
They wiped clean the sting of their only defeat.
“I felt like in the first game there were a lot of things that we did that hurt ourselves.” DePaola said. “They’re a tough team. I think we played a lot of kids in different positions the first time.
“We moved a lot of kids around since then, and I think it was a wake up call after playing that first game. We were undefeated when we played them. We took that loss, and that got them going.”
Savvy and opportunistic, Mt. Greenwood stunned the top-seeded Jr. Knights with three touchdowns in the final 1:05 of the second quarter for the 34-12 halftime lead.
“I think the biggest difference from the first time we played them was the grit,” receiver Emmett Van Dellen said. “I felt like we wanted the game more.
“We just played great on both sides of the ball, and we brought our A game today.”
Defensive linemen Logan Brown and David Zapala, defensive back Deshawn McElrath-Bey, D’Andrea and Van Dellen also keyed an inspired defensive effort.
After conceding two big scoring plays in the first quarter, the Colts created havoc at the line of scrimmage and prevented the multiple weapons in the Jr. Knights to get free.
“We just had to listen to our coaches, and play how we are used to playing,” Zapala said. “After we played them during the regular season, we had a better game today on defense.
“We were much more disciplined.”
D’Andrea was the orchestrator of the attack. He matched the early fireworks of the Jr. Knights, keeping the Colts afloat until they stabilized and found their stride.
He completed 9 of 17 passes for 148 yards and the two touchdowns. He also gained 67 yards on 12 carries.
His versatility and creativity with the ball opened multiple outlets for the Colts’ attack.
The Jr. Knights simply ran out of answers.
“I like throwing the ball a lot, but I also like running it a lot because we also have awesome runners,” D’Andrea said. “Our receivers can get to where they need to go.”
A wild and jam-packed first quarter featuring three lead changes. New Lenox hurt the Colts early with touchdown runs of 31 and 50 yards.
“We learned from our mistakes about containing the outside,” Van Dellen said. “After they scored the second touchdown, I thought we did a great job with containment.”
McElrath-Bey also flashed his athleticism and electric bounce as a featured running back. He has a knack for finding holes. He also has great vision and balance and knows how to elude defenders or make them miss.
“Every time I run the ball, my goal is to try and not get hit,” he said. “I always try to make a play, or even score every time I get the ball.”
Down 6-0 on their second possession, the Colts went to work. McElrath-Bey ripped off a 15-yard run, followed by the 17-yard scamper of D’Andrea.
The two runs set up a one-yard touchdown plunge by Shay Landers.
Landers also created an additional six points by converting three kicks in the game.
The big play vertical passing attack of D’Andrea and Van Dellen changed the tenor of the game midway through the second quarter.
With the Colts down 12-8 with just under five minutes to play in the second quarter, D’Andrea patiently watched Van Dellen get free down the right sideline for a gorgeous 57-yard touchdown reception.
The Colts never trailed again.
“I wasn’t really surprised, because our receivers were doing what they were supposed to do, and then the big one popped,” D’Andrea said.
Mt. Greenwood seized control with an extraordinary closing burst of the second quarter.
A 32-yard connection between D’Andre and Van Dellen set up the quarterback’s one-yard scoring keeper for the 22-12 advantage.
Receiver and defensive lineman Logan Brown put the finishing touches on the extraordinary second quarter action with back-to-back game-altering plays.
His pressure, hit, forced fumble and resulting 27-yard touchdown return helped open the floodgates.
“Coach told me to try my best, and I went for it all,” Brown said. “I picked it up, and scored.
“My style is based on always trying to get around the tackles, and get to the quarterback right away and hit him hard, and try to get the ball.”
The Colts achieved a downhill momentum that could not be stopped. On the ensuing kickoff, Vincent Richko made the great hustle play to recover the pooch kick.
D’Andrea made New Lenox pay.
On the final play of the half, he found Brown over the middle on a slant for the 18-yard touchdown.
“I knew I had a couple of seconds left, so I caught it and ran it in,” Brown said.
“The past six weeks or so, we have always been down in the first quarter. We always come back. I don’t know if that’s our style of play, but that’s how we play sometimes, or most of the time.”
Van Dellen ended up with two catches for 89 yards. Brown caught two passes for 33 yards.
“I just love my teammates, and love playing and communicating with them,” D’Andrea said.
“We have a ton of younger kids, and they did awesome. A lot of them made up the offensive line, and we couldn’t have done it without our blockers.”
D’Andrea punctuated the memorable day with a 27-yard touchdown run for the Colts’ only second half points.
The final horn kicked off an exuberant celebration.
“We’re all part of a family,” Brown said. “Super Bowl champs is a great feeling, and knowing that we won it all.”
In Fifth Quarter play, David Murphy had a significant impact on defense. Offensively, Danny Lally-Healy showed poise and skill directing the offense. Colin Wynn made a nice reception. Tyler Eskridge also made some big plays on offense.
“They all played really hard,” DePaola said.
The Junior Varsity of the Mt. Greenwood Colts had many contributors in the historic 42-24 Super Bowl victory. The other crucial players were Dominic DePaola, Isaac Rodriguez, James Gregory, Ryan Costello, Ryder Harty, Nicholas Kelleher, Otis Davis, Kameryn Rodriguez, Charles Williams, Alexander Hall, Ryan Moore, Jack Lettiere, Nate Donovan, Rocco Mizera, Brendan Morrin, Kyle Earley, Franco Richko, Evyn Hoff, Johnathan Gray, Max Lettiere, Colin Dugger, Connor Ternes, Luke Kracinski, Mason Kaczmarski and Ethan Nichols.
The cheerleaders also brought passion, style and conviction to their routines. They included Abby Kelly, Amelia Keenan, Addi Welch, Mila Terri, Samantha Lettiere, Sydney Stibich, Ava Fike, Molly McDevitt, Haley Bochenczak, Brooklyn Botich, Zoe Bradley, Zoey Estrada, Kaylee Wynn and Kaitlin Curia.
