By Ed Muniz- Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
** Additional Photos are Avaialable for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p646370746 **
During a season, the best football teams will face adversity.
Whether because of injuries or by their own self-conflicted issues or simply an opponent that is just a major struggle.
Whatever the adversity, be assured, the best teams in football are confronted with that at least once during a season.
Championships are earned because of the ability to overcome an obstacle and the knowledge that when all looks lost, you managed to prevail.
The Lightweight Pioneers faced adversity during their game against H-F United on September 3 in Flossmoor.
The Pioneers had coasted through two early season victories and were an optimistic bunch throughout, but across the line from them, they faced an opponent that was quick and brutish in their play.
H-F had dismantled their previous opponent and were looking to continue their formula of victory.
One Huge defensive-play determined this game. Because of that, the Pioneers left Flossmoor battered but victorious, remaining unbeaten after the 7-6 victory.
“They battled through the elements,” said Lightweight Head Coach Al Krokos of his players. “We got to execute a little better, so we don’t put ourselves in that position but in the end of the game, our team was mentally tougher, physically in better shape and it’s why we came out the winner, That’s it.”
Krokos added, “We made some adjustments in the second half, these are 9-and 10-year-olds, on any given day, someone is doing something a little bit different, we make the adjustment and try to get them in a better direction going forward. Good start to the season, we have to keep it going.”
This was a tough game for the Pioneers. Offensively, their running attack was a struggle, many times their vaunted backfield was being met at the line of scrimmage throughout the first half, but they kept at it.
The duo of Hudson Doftert and Max Streets-Pruitt gave their all each running attempt, but the swarming H-F defense was quick to the ball and runs were producing small gains for the most part.
The Pioneers opening series saw Doftert called three straight times for nine yards. Streets-Pruitt converted the first down on his first attempt.
After that initial first down, the aggressive H-F defense limited the Pioneers the next four plays, resulting in a turnover on downs at the H-F 43-yardline.
Doftert is a talented two-way player and showed off his defensive skills when he picked off an H-F pass on the very next play.
Back on offense, the Pioneers started their second series with a short field. Their first two attempts from the H-F 46 produced negative yards. On third down, a pitch to Streets-Pruitt saw him start right and then cut back left as he raced for 40-yards on the carry.
Looking ready to score inside the H-F 7-yardline, Doftert first try went for a couple yards.
Sitting at the 5-yadline, the Pioneers began the second quarter looking to cash in. The H-F defense decided they weren’t giving an inch on the next two efforts. On fourth down, a pitch-pass by Streets-Pruitt fell incomplete thus stalling the Pioneer drive.
The Pioneers soon had another opportunity offensively. After an H-F 10-yard run, looking to add more, the runner was stripped of the football by Dylan Ahmer and was recovered by Zackary Salah, putting the Pioneers offense once again in the Red Zone.
Turning up the pressure, H-F was getting through the Pioneers O-Line, making stops in the backfield. The Pioneers series was moving back wards after beginning at the H-F 15-yardline.
After quarterback Luke Krokos was sacked on fourth down, the Pioneers just couldn’t get their offense going with two scoring opportunities squandered.
Beginning at their own 18, the host offense also had their own problems, three straight penalties moved them back to their own 5, when they finally got a play off, again the Pioneers came up with another fumble after a good run. Andrew Richardson came up with the loose pigskin.
Taking over at the H-F 20, the Pioneers suffered from penalties that moved them back to the 42-yardline. A 12-yard run by Streets-Pruitt got them a little closer, but another penalty and a negative run closed out the first half scoreless.
The Pioneers penalties and holes in their offensive line would have to be addressed at halftime.
The previous two games, the Pioneer defense has been stellar limiting opposing runners to small gains for the most part. This is a unit that picked up where it left off during last season’s Championship season.
Occasionally they gave up a big run but scoring against them was far and few between.
H-F accomplished that just two plays into the third quarter.
Streaking to the far sideline, the H-F runner showed a burst of speed and agility that saw everyone chasing him during the host 83-yard touchdown run.
With the failed extra-point, H-F led 6-0.
The Pioneers self-destructed their first second-half efforts. Two runs for no gain then a fumble exchange had the Pioneers punting the ball away.
H-F began moving downfield with runs and a long completion. The Pioneers were making tackles but the efforts of Brian Curran, Doftert, Lucca Morandi, Nicholas Peisker, and Ahmer were not enough to stall H-F’s march towards the Pioneer endzone.
Sitting at the Pioneer 18-yardline, the visitors needed a big play as momentum was securely on the host side.
Going to the air again turned into their demise.
A pass headed to the far sideline was open briefly until Streets-Pruitt stepped in front of it, snagged the interception and streaked down the sidelines with H-F players giving chase.
One last dive clipped Streets-Pruitt heal but he maintained his balance, scoring the Pioneers’ 90-yard Pick-Six touchdown.
“I was getting tired, but coaches always tell us if you’re tired, always push through it, it’s what I was thinking the whole time before the interception,’ said Streets-Pruitt.
“When the ball was coming to me, I was thinking to catch it and get as many yards as I can. When I was running, I was about to look back, but I know that slows some people down, so I didn’t. I kinda have good balance. I was so happy thinking the next play after I scored, we could win it. Glad we did.”
The Pioneers lined up to try the kick-after for the lead, as Andrew Richardson’s kick went through, H-F was called for a penalty prior to the snap twice. Placing the ball just outside the goal line, Luke Krokos snuck the ball over and gave the Pioneers a 7-6 lead.
H-F still had time for a comeback. With H-F’s big-play capabilities, the Pioneer defense was called on to seal the win.
Doftert and Cole Baldridge each grabbed tackles on the first two tries. A long H-F run was negated by a block in the back. On fourth down, the H-F runner was stopped after a fumbled snap which ended their comeback efforts.
The Pioneers took a knee, winning the adverse game, 7-6.
The Fifth Quarter saw the Pioneer offense led by the play of Vinny Ficaro, Caden Kolodziej along with several others, but the highlight of their play was by Bennett Brown who had a long run of 27-yards.
“It was a fake hand off to (Michael) Gallivan, when I got the ball, I sprinted ahead and almost broke free for a touchdown,” said Brown. “I was thinking we have to score, I should have “Turned on the Jets”, I will next time, because I didn’t think they were coming up behind me.”
Defensively, the Pioneers’ tackling ace was Michael Gallivan. His series of tackles showed he has a knack for wherever the football is at.
“I got a couple tackles, but I was around others,” said Gallivan. “I really like making tackles and hitting people. I’d rather play defense than offense. I want to get better and play middle linebacker. I probably could get quicker on the snap. I think we are good at forcing turnovers.”
Several other Pioneers gave their all during the two portions of the game. They include Kristian Willis, Anthony Baniewicz, Blake Schuler, Luke Tonra, Jase Enstrom, Vince Spizzirri, Carter Erwin, Carter Peluso, John Sutter, Karam Olyyan, Noah Cordoba, Nicholas Mase, Gavin Connors, Christian Paulson, Scott Gumienny, Cody Godlewski, Nicholas Dertz, Nick Pomonis, Yousef Yasin, Samuel Horeluk, James Okrasinski, Dominic Lach, Collin Valan, Muhammad Kassem, Avery Vermilyea, Michael Ordman III, Nathan Campos, Jude Morrar, Rayder Slabenak, and Owen Garrity.
The Sidelines and halftime were kept quite entertained for the fans. The Lightweight Cheerleaders were their usual talented squad and showcased that once again. They include Gabriela Cabela, Isabella Cartolano, Madison Davis, Eleanor Dorigan, Kaylee Gaj, Paulina Goryl, Madison Hedger, Quinn Heinze, Margot Joda, Vera Joda, Adaline Johnson, Gemma Laniosz, Brielle Lenzen, Brooklyn Loman, Lily Maday, Santina Mannino, Molly McGeever, Emily Okrasinski, Kara O’Meara, Ayya Ramadani, Meryn Rucinski, Sydney Scharpf, Avery Seliga, Peyton Tomasik, Molly Utz and Alivia Zawada.
