By Ed Muniz-Photos by Lauren Gray
** Additional Photos are Available at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p308916608 **
ORLAND PARK— Playoff games— Sometimes the pressure to win is enormous. For players and coaches the nerves build all week and continue onto the very first play of the game. After that, the job at hand takes over until halftime, then a small surge of that pregame feeling returns just before resuming the game.
For fans, they too feel the pressure but for them it’s a constant clutching of white-knuckles, a never-ending standing and sitting and the overwhelming want for their son or daughter to succeed. The stands are as entertaining as the game itself.
Playoff games feel dramatic because they replace the long-term routine of the regular season with high-stakes, “win-or-go-home” pressure that magnifies every single play, error, and clutch performance. The heavy atmosphere leads to tighter execution, heightened anxiety, and a “snowball effect” where early errors or turnovers get punished much more severely.
Officials often allow more physical contact, while teams utilize deep film study and specialized game-planning tailored strictly to beat the opponent in front of them.
Sometimes the psychological weight splits people—some players and teams crack under the lights, while others forge defining clutch moments. Even dominant regular-season teams can unravel against hungry underdogs or external factors like weather conditions.
November 1 saw the Orland Park Junior Varsity Pioneers take on the Frankfort Falcons in the quarterfinal round of the River Valley Youth Football League playoffs at Sandburg High School.
Usually a home game for the Pioneers but in this case they were on the vistiors sideline as the lower seed. Hoping for a little home cooking, the Pioneers gave their all and matched the Falcons all game. WIth the game tied at 8-8 and less than a minute left in regulation, the Pioneers punted away looking to take the game into over time.
After an incomplete pass attempt, the Falcons executed the perfect “hook and ladder” play. A quick toss to a slot reciever was caught, with all the defensive Pioneers headed to make the stop, the catch was then pitched to a following Falcon player who streaked uncontested down the far sidelines for the touchdown and eventual winning score with 43-seconds left, ending the Pioneers season soon after with the 16-8 defeat.
“They played great, they did everything that we planned, defensively, offensively, they executed— It was there, they were just on the wrong side of one play with 50 seconds left,: said Head Coach AL Krokos. “If the scoreboard doesnt have you on top, theres always things you do better. They played their heart out there, their effort and knowledge was through the roof. What we asked them to do wasn’t easy but they did it.”
“We knew from last game that the outside passes were going to be there for us, we had a few things dialed up, the kids did great. We added stuff this week (Bubble Play) based on what they played on defensive and it was there, we did it away from their top defender. I’m absolutely looking forward to these kids returning, sixth graders have two more years left while the seventh graders have next year to go.”
When asked which player of his improved the most this year from the start to their final game, Coach Krokos added, “Scott Gumienny, he went from the Wednesday league to starting in our pass set formations today. His effort and footwork got better, his aggression; everything he improved throughout the year.”
After punting to start the game, the Pioneers gave notice to the Falcons that this was not going to be an easy task. Trying to trick the Pioneers defense, the Falcons open with a pitch-pass play, it backfired as Luke Krokos had the intended receiver covered and hauled in the pass for the early game turnover with the interception.
Hooking up on his second pass via a bubble screen, Krokos found Carter Erwin for 27-yards on the ensuing play. Unfortunately, a penalty would stall the drive even after Krokos added another pass completion this time to George Petraitis and an 8- yard run by Jason Erwin.
After punting for the second time, the Pioneers called on their defense to keep the game scoreless.
The Falcons would go on a 13-play drive which ended the first quarter and continued into the second. However, the tackling and pass defense of the Pioneers would eventually give the ball back to their offense. Beginning at their own 24, the Falcons worked their way downfield using a running attack that grabbed chunks on each attempt.
The Pioneers defense was bending and allowing short gains but avoided the big play behind the tackling of Noah Cordoba, Carter Erwin, Krokos, Coltin Gutkowski, Jason Erwin, Owen Garrity and Andrew Richardson.
But two big stops for losses by Michael Galivan were truly what kept the Falcons from getting closer then the Pioneers 5-yard line. A tackle that pushed the Falcons from the 5- to the 12-yard line was first then he followed that with a hit that forced a fumble that lost 12-yards, pushing the Falcons further away from the endzone.
After a Richardson stop and great pass defense by Jason Erwin, tipping the pass away, the Pioneers forced a turnover on downs to halt the Falcons threat.
The Pioneers couldn’t sustain a drive when a fourth and short pass was dropped forcing the Pioneers defense to defend again only this time the Falcons had a short field, just 29-yards away from the Pioneers endzone.
The Pioneers defense didn’t budge, starting with a tackle for loss by Lucca Morandi. From there, the Falcons saw Gutkowski added to the foray with his tackle and then two pass atempts fell incomplete, pressure by the Pioneers causing a toss to the ground on one.
The Pioneers did complete a pair of passes from Krokos to both Jason Erwin and Garrity but time elapse in the opening half, sending the teams to the break scoreless.
Again the Pioneers defense was being tested to open the third quarter. The Falcons were using a determined running game to move he ball but were met with aggressive tackling by the Pioneers’ Jason Erwin, Michael O’Connor, Gutkowski and Garrity were all finding tackles but two pass plays would get the Falcons on the scoreboard.
First a 14-yard completeion took the Falcons from the Pioneers 30 to the 16-yard line then a quick slant pass after a penalty, found a gap in the Pioneers formation and went 20-yard for the touchdown. After the converted kick, the Falcons led 8-0.
A series of bubble plays highlighted the Pioneers following series. Needing to respond, the Pioneers offense did a good job of mixing run and pass-plays to keep the Falcons guessing. One thing the Falcons couldn’t adjust to was the Bubble pass plays the Pioneers executed on their following drive.
Four times the Pioneers pulled off the same play only switching right or left. Petraitis caught three of the four to pick up essentials yards tp continue the Pioneers march. Petraitis added 19-yards on his catches while Jason Erwin picked up 12-yards to end the third quarter.
Maintaining control of the football and looking to respond, the Pioneers also added runs to their playbook with O’Connor, Krokos and Jason Erwin adding plus yards.
On the Pioneers tenth play, Krokos found Carter Erwin on the 12-yard pass that found him in the endzone for the Pioneers touchdown. With Richardson’s added kick, the game was now tied 8-8 with 8 minutes left in the game.
The Falcons took the following drive and worked their way to the Pioneers 8-yard line, from there, they would attempt a 25-yard field goal. The kick had the distance but was pulled left, keeping the game knotted.
Tackles by Cordoba, Carter Erwin, O’Connor, Gutkwoski, Richardson and Galivan helped keep the Falcons out of the endzone and forced the failed field goal attempt.
The Pioneers couldn’d do much with the ball as the Falcons defense worked to get the ball back. They did just that after a three and out by the Pioneers.
After a run and an incomplete pass, with 50-second left, the Falcons surprised the Pioneers with a “Hook and Ladder” play that gave them the 16-8 lead with 43- seconds left in the game.
The Pioneers completed four quick passes with little time left but were well short of the endzone as time expired, giving the Falcons the16-8 victory and a berth in the RVYFL semi-finals next week.
For the Pioneers, the loss ended their 2026 season, one filled with many memories and thrills along with heartbreaking losses.
One Pioneer who excelled offensively was Luke Krokos, The general on the field from his quarterback position, he excels in leading his teams offense. Returning from injury a week ago, his game was turned up a notch as he was put in position to excel, executing and delivering when called on. He isn’t just offensive minded, he also plays excellent pass defense and proved it in this game with a pick along with his tackling abilities
“We kept doing the same bubble play, it was working everytime, I just think we played really good today,” said the Quarterback. “We weren’t expecting that trick play, we thought they would run a normal run play, a screen or something like that, then they went to that trick play and it got us. We had a good drive in that fourth quarter and scored, we knew we could score on them, I just dont really know why we didn’t score more. From the start of the year to now, we improved a lot. The things that I like about how we played was when we were down, we came back in the game, scored and never gave up.”
One player that went mostly unheralded this year was Lucca Morandi. Whether snapping the ball or playing defensive end, his line play was second to none. Delivering good clean snaps from his center position and then providing blocks or pressuring the opposing offense, the Pioneer lineman did his job and did it well throughout the season and in this game. He simply does all he can to help his team win without asking for praise.
“I think overall I played decent, our team played pretty good too today,” said Morandi. “I think if we had just adjusted a little more against the plays they were running, we would have done better but we still did a great job. We were just as good as them. During the game we do talk about adjusting what we are doing as the game goes on. We weren’t expecting a trick play and as it happened, I was really angry because I didnt think anyone was going to catch him. It was the second time we got beat that way this year. What we did this game is we communicated well and I think we matched up well with them 100%. I think we did a great job still.”
Fifth Quarter also saw other Pioneers showing off their skils. They Included Michael Ordman, Adam Krokos, Jackson Biskup, Thomas Sutter, Nick Pomonis, Emmett Kane and several others who gave their all one last time.
Other Pioneers that gave their all during the season and when called on were Gunner McCarthy, Thomas Sutter, Keith Piekarz, Cooper Elslager, Joey Zotto, Will Poore, Emmett Kane, Jackson Biskup, Ameen Musa, Ryan Lukas, Jase Enstrom, Patrick O’Boye, Talon Tyrakowski, Christopher Medina, Caden Kolodziej, Anthony LaPapa, Christian Paulson, Laith Hammami, Cody Godlewski, Dominic Gabriele, Nick Pomonis, Dominic Lach, Collin Valan, Bradley Patterson, Vincent Shervino, Jimmy Elsberg, Connor Kvelland, Michela Ordman, Zechariah Torgerson, Jude Morrar, Rayder Slabenak and Adam Krokos.
Also attending tehgame and as entertaining as usual were the Junior Varsity Pioneers Cheerleaders. Their routines and cheers and halftime performance shows the abilities and talents every time out. Thye include Sydney Scharpf, Lila Gavin, Brielle Lenzen, Marissa Gumuls, Mabel Lukasiewicz, AnnieMilosovic, Adaline Johnson, Ainsley Moore, Ava Janota, Emily Okrasinski, Maeve Smith, Alexandra Burda, Kaitlyn Minick, Skylar Shlepakov, Brooklyn Loman, Morgan Collins, Molly McGeever, Ayya Ramadani, Madison Davis, Sophia Molina, Margot Joda, Olivia Hufford, Sana Kishta, Aaliyah Medina, Delaney Piencak, Kyla Kwiatek, Olivia Ally, Allison Guest, Ella Mrowca, Khaliaha Brown, Liliana Holmes and Liliana Darlak.
