By Francisco Avila- Photos by Lauren Gray
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NEW LENOX— There are games where a team battles through every possession, makes key plays on both sides of the ball, and puts itself within reach of victory, only for one late moment to change the outcome. That was the case for the Lightweight Pioneers Blue, who fell 6-0 to the Joliet Titans in a heartbreaking finish to their Wednesday Night Football League matchup.
Despite the loss, Lightweight Pioneers Blue head coach Adam Maurella saw plenty of positives from his team’s performance, pointing to the grit, physicality, and encouraging moments the Pioneers showed on both offense and defense throughout the game.
“We had it; it was 0-0 at halftime. We weren’t letting up. We kept getting them offsides, moving the ball. It was a heartbreaking game; the kids played tough. They played hard. They threw everything they had; we prepped really well during the week for that game. Overall, I think we’re jiving; we’re starting to gel together. So really proud of these guys. We’re not giving up and sticking through it and grinding into the last seconds of the game.”
The Pioneers opened the game with an aggressive offensive approach, as Paxson Leithleiter picked up yardage on several runs while looking to work in the backfield with Joey Guest, Wren Rucinski, and Isiah Thomas. However, the Titans’ defense held firm, forcing the Pioneers to turn the ball over on downs.
The Pioneers quickly responded defensively with strong tackles from Luke Lawler, Rucinski, Guest, and Lawson Capps. Lorcan Redmond then helped swing possession back to the Pioneers after the Titans were forced to punt.
Midway through the first half, the Pioneers continued to push the ball downfield. Leithleiter repeatedly looked for running lanes and tried to get to the outside, but the Titans’ defense continued to limit his opportunities.
Leithleiter spoke about his approach to running the ball despite the defensive pressure.
“I tried to run to the outside, and just run as hard as I can until they get me to try to help the team.”
Unable to find the end zone, the Pioneers eventually punted and returned to the defensive side of the ball.
The Pioneers’ defense continued to make its presence felt, with Moody Jaber delivering several strong tackles. With five minutes remaining in the half, Jaber made one of the game’s biggest defensive plays, driving a Titans offense back before forcing and recovering a fumble to give the Pioneers possession.
Jaber spoke after the game about the momentum-changing play.
“I saw him running, so my first thought was we needed to drive him back. So I drove him back as far as I could, then I just saw the ball loose, and then I punched it out as hard as I could. Then I saw the ball and caught it.”
Late the half, the Pioneers looked to create one more offensive opportunity. Leithleiter searched for running room while also working with Guest, but the Titans continued to hold their ground, with the first half ending scoreless.
Coach Maurella spoke postgame pointing at his team’s ability to compete in the first half.
“We were grinding it in the first half. Paxson was running into the outside trying to get to the outside. They’re a very quick team, fast team outside, so him dialing on that, trying to get some yardage on the outside. Moody also did well defensively and overall in the first half; we were holding our own.”
The Pioneers opened the second half on defense and immediately made an impact.
Lorcan Redmond came through with a huge sack, giving the Pioneers a spark and setting the tone for the defense. Redmond explained what went through his mind on the play.
“I just felt like at that moment, I just really needed to get a sack so we could play and try and get a touchdown. Then I just felt like the whole team did good on that play. I just locked in.”
The defensive effort continued with tackles from Jayden Enriquez, Ethan Hamideh, Noah Hall, Jaber, and Redmond.
Guest then delivered another key defensive play, making a big tackle that brought the Pioneers’ sideline to its feet and provided another momentum boost. Guest described his read on the play.
“On that play, I just saw him running. I saw no one behind me, so I knew I had to tackle him, and I got the job done.”
Coach Maurella also praised Guest’s continued development and impact on the team.
“Joey Guest is a beast. He steps up every week and gets better and better. I think this is his second year playing football.”
Following Guest’s big tackle, Jaber continued his strong defensive performance with another key stop, helping the Pioneers force a turnover on downs.
Back on offense, the Pioneers looked to generate another scoring opportunity. Leithleiter worked with Ian Frost and Guest as they tried to move the ball, but the Titans’ defense once again prevented the Pioneers from reaching the end zone.
Leithleiter then attempted a deep pass, but the Titans intercepted the throw and briefly appeared to seize momentum.
Two minutes later, however, the Pioneers answered with another defensive takeaway. Rucinski recovered a Titans fumble, immediately putting the Pioneers back on offense.
Rucinski described the excitement of making the recovery.
“When he got the ball, I saw everybody get the ball, and then they let the ball loose, and then I just jumped on top of the ball, getting the ball. That moment felt really good.”
The Pioneers tried to capitalize on the turnover, with Leithleiter connecting with Rasheed Williams Jr., but the offense could not generate much yardage. A Titans fumble recovery moments later sent the Pioneers back onto defense.
The Pioneers’ defense continued to battle despite the offensive struggles. Lawler, Enriquez, and Luke Bosack came through with strong tackles and helped force another turnover on downs.
Late in the game, Leithleiter and the Pioneers looked to put together one final scoring drive. However, another Titans fumble recovery ended the possession and left the game hanging in the balance.
Then, in the final seconds, the Titans broke through with a 10-yard touchdown, securing a 6-0 victory and leaving the Pioneers with a heartbreaking result after a scoreless battle for nearly the entire game.
Coach Maurella spoke postgame highlighting his side for continuing to stay in the game and fight despite the end result, and pointed toward the next match against the Manhattan Patriots.
“A lot of these kids on this team are new to the team. Some of them have never played football before, or they played flag, but not tackle. Overall, they didn’t let up, so now we’re prepping as we take on the Manhattan Patriots on Sunday.”
Despite the loss, the Pioneers received contributions from multiple players on both sides of the ball: Peyton Barbee, Jaweed Abuzir, Paul Bertucci, Harrison Ramirez, Quinn McCarthy, Zachariah Ballouta, Isaiah Holmes, Sean Mendoza, Brady Higgins, Luke Holoubek, Noah Radzikowski, Johnny Waliczek, Cade Rucinski, William Speck, Ammar Abdelmuti, Ethan Hamideh, Thomas Richardson, Noah Hall, Amari Adigun, and Dominic Maurella.
