By Miles Toogo- Photos by Gavin Peterson
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ORLAND PARK— The launch of the 2025 Wednesday NIght Football League began on August 20 at various locations within the league. For the Orland Park Pioneers, playing host for their four teams would see them welcome the New Lenox Jr. Knights to Sandburg high school and to their newest sports facility at Schussler Park.
The WNFL was developed several years ago as an opportunity for players of equal talent and experience and limited play in the regularly schedule weekend games, to develop their football skill at their own pace by playing against same-skilled opponents.
They games now have with official scores, referees and a season schedule that concludes with playoffs and an eventual Champion for each of the four levels
The results have been very successful. Boys and girls are now staying in the sport where previously, without the WNFL opportunities, they would have left after a season with very few game-time participation.
The Pioneers are a football organization that has excelled in the WNFL, winning or participating in several Championships since its inception. They know what it takes to not only be competitive but also get to championship games.
Dan Kolodziej and his Lightweight Pioneers played host in their Wednesday Night Football League premier game of 2025, welcoming the New Lenox Jr. Knights. Previously the Pioneers have won Championships at the lighter, younger levels, so expectations are always at a high level for Super Lightweight and Lightweight divisions.
No difference this year. Loaded with depth and a plethora of talent, this years version at Lightweight may once again be enroute to another title shot.
With power, speed and an overwhelming defense, the Pioneers vanquished and shut out the visitors, 13-0.
“Offensively, both our running-backs both run hard and run over people. Defensivly, our line was awesome, they were in the backfield a lot,” said Coach Dan. “Ammar (Abdelmuti) was doing really well, shooting the gap and disrupting the plays, doing his job. He was in the backfild almost on every play.”
“Our kids definitely love to step on the field, every opportunity we get, we definitely want everyone to get on the field, like this past Sunday, as soon as we went up enough, we brought in the Whites (2nd unit) for a little bit and then thirds in as well to get some reps in. They are really out for that Wednesday Championship because they fell short last year. Our guys did an awesome job all around both sides of the ball.”
These games go quick with a running clock and stopage only with scores or timeouts. Most games are over in just over an hour, so getting plays off quickly is to your benefit, the more plays you run offensively, the better the chance of scoring.
The first quarter saw each team only have one offensive opportunity. The Pioneers started on defense, tackles by Jordy Kolodziej, Ammar Abdelmuti, Gavin Garrity and a big tackle for loss of 6-yards by Luke Bosack, forced the Jr. Knights to punt.
The Pioneers first series saw their run game churn up yards. A dose of Bosack, Taylan Morandi and Kolodziej was driving the Pioneers closer to the endzone but going to the air proved wrong as the Pioneers pass was intercepted, ending the first quarter scoreless.
Beginning the second quarter, the Pioneers defense was suffocating. Abdelmuti had a tackle for loss and was followed by Zachariah Ballouta and Bosack also stuffing runs, forcing another punt by the visitors.
Bosack started the next Pioneers drive with a quick five yards. Kolodziej then blasted around end for 19-yards. Morandi added 13 more yards on the next two carries. From the New Lenox 8 yard-line, Bosack was called on and he delivered with an 8-yard run, powering in for the games first score. Garrity then added the point-after for the 7-0 Pioneers lead just before halftime.
“I was with my dad in the basement today like almost every other day and he taught me how to put my shoulder down and placing people out on offense,” said the power running Bosack. “On the Wednesday team, I probably put my shoulder down and truck people the best.”
“I guess on defense, on blitzes, I have to get through the nose and not get pushed out of the gap and the play, need to get better at that. My touchdown was the best thing today for me, it’s the second touchdown in my whole life. On defense we had three turnovers I think; we played awesome.”
Dominic Gabriele added a solo tackle and sent both teams into halftime as time expired.
The Pioneers came out looking to score at the start of the thrid quarter, Garrity was moving and guiding his team, getting plays off and also using his rushing abilities to move the ball and maintain possession.
It looked like the Pioneers were poised to grab another score after Garrity connected with Bennett Kersten on the pass, but a fumble occurred after the completion and stopped the promising drive at the Jr. Knights 31 yard-line.
The Pioneers defense was simply too stout for the visiting Jr. Knights and forced another three and out after tackles by Abdelmuti, MIchael Patterson and Jackson Biskup combined to give the Jr. Knights negative yards on their three tries.
Beginning the final quarter, the Pioneers wanted to lengthen their lead. Beginning at their own 44 yard-line, the duo of Morandi and Bosack with an occasional try by Kolodziej and Garrity, moved the ball rapidly towards the New Lenox endzone. The drive concluded when Garrity from the 1 yard-line called his own number and plunged into the endzone for the Pioneers second touchdown and a 13-0 lead with 54 seconds left in the game.
The score became final shortly thereafter, giving the Pioneers the victory and taking the first steps in their quest for a championship.
Both the Pioneers defense and offense showed dominated efforts throughout the game. Offensively, although not scoring, Morandi was a force to be reckoned with. His ability to continue to grab as much turf as possible on each run was impressive. Like his teammate Bosack, he too churned up every inch he could, refusing to give in easily. He also was stellar defensively. He was an energy bunny with no quit.
“I think I’m more of a slashy runner and shiffty, but I can also use some power too,” said the elusive Morandi. “When I run the ball, I look to the hole and see if someone is there, if there is, I cut, I get past the linebackers and get as many yards as I can. I thought I did that pretty good today. I think when I play defense, I could be a little better at linebacker. I think I can still find the ball quickly and make the tackle but I prefer running the ball.”
Defensively, not sure anyone played better for the Pioneers than Ammar Abdelmuti. He became a constant pest to the Jr. Knights. He was so often in the backfield, you thought he was waiting for a handoff from his foes. He made himself a presence that was too hard to ignore. Opposing coaches were trying to find a way to stop him but couldn’t.
“I’ve been getting in the backfield and tackling, it has been working really well for me,” said Ammar. “I just stayed low, got past them and made the play in the backfield. I’m fast and training, trying to go low and get off the ball quickly. I’m exploding on the snap. On offense I think maybe I need to work on finding someone to block, just be better at blocking. I’ll get better the more I play. I like playing defense and want to get as many tackles as possible.”
Other Pioneers giving their all in the game or there rooting and supporting teammates included Aweed Abuzir, Gunner McCarthy, Nate Abbs, Keith Piekarz, Thomas Sutter, Joey Zotto, Will Poore, Sean Kikilas, Ryan Lukas, Ellis Hubbard, Mike O’Connor, Martin Groark, Brady Higgins, Jason Erwin, Alex Kopec, CJ Hufford, Christopher Medina Jr., Shane Sternberg, Luke Holoubek, Brooks Foster, Michael Patterson, Arthur Slabenak, Anthony LaPapa, Paxson Leithleiter, Laith Hammami, Ian Frost, Jonathan Mizera, William Jordan, Jimmy Elsberg, Connor Kvelland, Luke McDoniel, Paul Rylan Davies, Amari Adigun, Dominic Maurella and Adam Krokos
