By Patrick McGavin- Photos by Lauren Gray
** Additional Photos are Avialable for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p534017572 **
ORLAND PARK— The moment of recognition hit every single player in a way that pushed beyond symbolism.
The Lightweight Blue program of the Orland Park Pioneers felt the proper sense of pride and urgency and a peculiar feeling of payback.
“They scored two on us, and we knew we had to get something going offensively or the game was going to be over,” running back Joey Guest said.
“We just got dialed in and said why can’t we score on them.”
The Blue saved its best for last, mounting a sharp and commanding drive that showcased the particular strengths and versatility of Lawson Capps.
“Our blockers did a good job at the end of the game, making the holes and Landon did great,” Guest said.
The electric rally by the Lightweight Blue came up just short in the 12-7 loss against Tinley Park Bulldogs in Wednesday Night Football League action at Schussler Park on September 30.
Tinley Park broke the Pioneers’ spirit with two touchdown runs for a 12-0 lead in the first half.
In an encouraging sign, the Blue refused to wilt, and mounted a strong and more succinct response in the second half.
Brady Higgins personified the toughness and never-say-quit spirit of the team.
He was medically assisted off the field during the second half, and appeared unable to walk on his own.
By the end of the rousing comeback, he was one of the loudest supporters from the sidelines.
“The coaches gave us a really good pep talk at halftime, and they got us all fired up and we were definitely ready to play in that second half,” Higgins said.
The defense actually acquitted itself well during the first half. The Blue just got caught out of position and were burned.
The team learned its lessons.
“We tried to make a statement with our effort and how we wanted to play during the second half,” defensive lineman Jaweed Abuzir said.
He was a disruptive and active player in the second half, using his size to overpower the Bulldogs’ line and create havoc at the point of attack.
“The coaches moved me around in the second half, and the guy in front of me was easier to get by,” he said.
“I was able to get in and make more tackles.”
Results matter, but so does effort, intensity and involvement.
The Blue team is adapting on the run, and the framework for success. Abuzir called it personal.
“When I got out of the car and put my pads on, my dad told me to get mad out there, get through them and make the tackles,” he said.
Cade Rucinski was another stalwart on the defensive interior who helped stabilize that side of the ball. He was effective creating pressure on the quarterback and shutting down running lanes during the second half.
“We had to level up and show what we could do out there,” he said. “They had some good runs against us, and we had to come out and do better.”
Rucinski was awarded special player recognition honors for his outstanding play. Sean Mendoza, William Speck, Moody Jaber and Lorcan Redmond also stepped up with improved second half play.
The offense had its moments throughout the game, but was hampered by breakdowns or penalties. The Blue never lost focus or its drive, and the perseverance finally paid off with the most sustained drive of the night.
Capps was the centerpiece, and the instigator of the moment.
He is the top playmaker, and the driver of the offense. His speed and open field ability is the most dangerous aspect. In the final 10 minutes, he went to work.
Paxton Leighleiter is the quarterback, with Capps sometimes operating behind center or in a variation of the Wildcat.
The signature play of the Blue involves Capps taking a deep pitch and being given the option of either running or throwing the ball. He has a strong arm and an accurate touch. He helped start the drive with a nine-yard completion to Isiah Holmes.
Moments later, working from the right wing, Capps got the ball on a reverse and broke free for a 26-yard run down the left edge.
The play marked the biggest of the night for the offense.
Guest followed with a strong seven-yard burst. Running back Rasheed Williams Jr. took part in the jamboree with his own six-guard run. That set the stage for the play of the night for the Blue.
Capps caught the Bulldogs’ defense off guard and motored around the left edge for a 23-yard touchdown burst. Williams gashed the defensive line for the conversion run.
Time was the only thing working against the Pioneer. With no kickoffs in WNFL play, there was no chance for an onside attempt.
The clock runs without interruption in the 25-minute halves and teams are permitted just three time outs for the entire game. The Pioneers defense stepped up with a three and out that forced a change of possession.
Only 19 seconds remained. Capps ended the game with a flourish, breaking off back-to-back double-digit runs.
Time ran out.
“We heard everyone on the sidelines, and they were doing a great job of cheering us on,” Jaber said. “The coaches really motivated us with the halftime speech. We got mad with the way we were playing, and did everything to try and get even out there.”
Despite the tough 12-7, the Lightweight Blue had many standout contributors and first-team players who dressed to show support.
Those players were Peyton Barbee, Landon Lawler, Paul Bertucci, Harrison Ramirez, Luke Lawler, Quinn McCarthy, Zachariah Ballouta, Wren Rucinski, Luke Holoubek, Jayden Enriquez, Noah Radzikowski, Ian Frost, Luke Bosack, Johnny Waliczek, Ammar Abdelmuti, Ethan Hamideh, Thomas Richardson, Noah Hall, Amari Adigun and Dominic Maurella.
