By Ed Muniz-Photos by Lauren Gray
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p609827322 **
HAMMOND, IN— one of the toughing things to do in sports is continue winning. Each time out, if you’re sitting atop the standings, the longer you stay there, the more challenging it gets.
For the Lightweight Pioneers, the 2025 season has been one of constant winning. After seven times out, Coach Dan Kolodziej’s Pioneers have an unblemished record at 7-0 and are one of two teams in the Lightweight Division that has beaten every opponent to date.
With one week remaining in the regular season, the Unbeaten Pioneers will be heavly favored against the Jr Knights team that has a lone win on the season. However, youth football can have dramatic surprises.
Visiting the NWI Vipers on October 5 at Hammond Central HS, the Pioneers didnt know what to expect. What transpired once the game started was a one-sided game that saw the Pioneers scorch the Vipers in the 36-6 win.
Pioneer starters sat out the entire second half and backups three deep all saw game reps and playing time they didnt expect.
“We don’t take any team for granted, you never know who can show up, it’s easy to look at records online and guys see that and like last week, it turns into a close game,” said Coach Dan. “No matter the record, every game is day to day, week to week and we take one team and game at a time. It was nice to cycle the kids in as soon as we put that score up, we should have done that last week, glad everyone saw time on the field today. They all deserve it.”
“At every level, we moved the ball on them and shut them down, it was great to see everyone get multiple reps not just one here and there and play two full quarter with the second and thirds in there, that’s what we love to do.”
The Pioneers wasted little time jumping ahead. Connor Kvelland quickly put the Pioneers up 7-0. His three runs (33-yards) plus a facemask penalty made it easier for him to score from three yards out just four plays into the game. Adam Krokos added the point after.
Thomas Sutter and Kvelland stuffed the Vipers first few attempts and forced a punt.
The Pioners extended their lead when Sean Kikilas broke several tackles, busted outside and raced 39-yards for the touchdown. Joey Zotto added the point-after for the 14-0 lead.
Once again, defensive agility by Arthur Slabenak and Sutter made short work of the Vipers and forced them to punt again to end the first quarter.
Getting the ball to open the second quarter, Kvelland elusiveness gained 15-yards, one play later, Kvelland streaked to the near side sideline and ran 24-yards for the Pioneers third touchdown of the game. The conversion-kick attempt failed which left the Pioneers up 20-0.
“The thing that came easy for me was hitting the holes because of our linemen,” said Kvelland. “Getting through the dfensive line and getting to thier lnebackers gave me easy holes to score from. When there’s guys on the inside and not many on the outside, I like to cut out on my runs. I think I did pretty good at hitting the holes and also blocking for our other runningbacks. We got to put our whites and blues in the second half, so I think this was a pretty good game for us.”
The Vipers were struggling to get their offense headed in the right direction with Jackson Biskup making a stop. Biskup and teammates were all over the inept Viper offense and caused a fumble on their next play which was recovered by Jason Erwin.
One play later, Biskup ran right, got to the edge and bolted into the endzone for the score. Erwin attempted his seond conversion-kick and was successful on the two point try, giving the Pioneers a 28-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Something unique happened on the following Pioneer kickoff. In ten years of covering the Pioneers, never has there been a touchback off a kick at the Lightweight level until this game.
Starting at their own 20, the Vipers were forced backwards on their running attempts thanks to Dominic Gabriele and Ammar Abdelmuti defensive play, each making stops and again forcing a punt which went just two-yards.
Starting at the Viper 7-yard-line, the Pioneers Gavin Garrity rolled right and ran into the endzone two plays later with no time on the clock, elevating the score after another Erwin kick to 36-0 at halftime.
A running clock was now implemented at the start of the second half with the score difference beyond 24-points.
The Pioneers went to second and third units the remainder of the game and did quite well on boh side of the ball. Offensively, Taylan Morandi, Nate Abbs amd Ryan Lukas all provide gains running the ball for the Pioneers.
“I was trying to run hard, break free and score when I ran the ball,” said Taylan. I was able to get by a few guys without being touched. I think im kinda fast but being elusive helped me on some runs. I like scoring touchdowns, its my favorite thing to do in football.”
Nathan Abbs added on his play; “I like playing on offense because I like getting the ball and making big runs. I thought everytime I got the ball I could make a big run. I was hitting the holes and staying on my feet, I thought I did that pretty good job doing that. I think on defense I could read the plays a little better.”
Defensively, up until the last play of the game, the Pioneers were hard hitting and swarming to make stops. Among the defensive leaders for the Pioneers were Martin Groark, Luke McDoniel, Amari Adigun, Garrity, Dominic Maurella and Abbs.
Ryan Lukas was a field general at QB. His a bility to be smooth getting plays off or running the ball was all positives for the Pioneers.
“Its pretty fun playing Quarterback,”said Lukas. “I’m really involved in every play and I get to touch the ball. It’s important to secure the ball off the snap and get it to my players and getting the plays off without losing the ball. I think after I hand off, I could probably help block better and help the play be big.”
WIth backup’s playing the entire second half, game experience would surely benefit them for the upcoming WNFL playoff as many of them will be in Semi-Final action soon.
Several other pioneers have been vital in the success of the team, they include Jaweed Abuzir, Gunner McCarthy, Keith Piekarz, Will Poore, Luke Bosack, Zachariah Ballouta, Ellis Hubbard, Mike O’Connor, Brady Higgins, Jason Erwin, Alex Kopec, CJ Hufford, Christopher Medina Jr., Shane Sternberg, Luke Holoubek, Bennett Kersten, Brooks Foster, Michael Patterson, Anthony LaPapa, Paxson Leithleiter, Laith Hammami, Ian Frost, Jonathan Mizera, William Jordan, Jordy Kolodziej, Jimmy Elsberg, Paul Rylan Davies and Adam Krokos.
Also makingthe trip to Hammond were the Lightweight Pioneer Cheerleaders. Showing skills along the sidelines to entertain the crowd that traveled and at halftime, their routines surely displayed their talents. They include Lucy Bohanek, Kaitlyn Minick, Alexandra Burda, Mabel Lukasiewicz, Elena Schmaling, Adaline Johnson, Zoey France, Emerson Schweikert, Eleanor Koehn, Stella Bristow, Brooklyn Loman, Eila Richter, Aaliyah Medina, Ava Janota, Molly McGeever, Skylar Shlepakov, Makayla Sotelo, Vera Joda, Kara O’Meara, Sophia Molina, Emily Okrasinski, Ainsley Moore, Maevry Harmatys, Marissa Gumuls, Madison Hedger, Morgan Collins, Aleena Badwan, Scarlett Sternberg, Sadie Griffin, Grace Poore, Kennedy Krokos, Olivia Ally, Liliana Holmes, Morgan Burger, Evelyn Byrne, Lillian Fudala, Alaina Holoubek, Anderson Foster, Selena Rios, Gwendolyn Moffatt, Margaret Moffatt, Evelyn Moffatt, Quinn Heinze, Callie Juarez-Radovanovic, Eloise Sarhage, Jenna Michalczewski, Charlotte Dorigan
