By Bobby Narang-Photos by Laura Stubbs
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FLOSSMOOR – Call it a fitting day for a fitting comeback.
Competing in the Lightweights Division, the Orland Park Pioneers fought hard all game long on Sunday afternoon. Even with conditions nearing 90 degrees and not a cloud in the sky, the Pioneers battled and battled until the end.
Dealing with a highly motivated HF United team inspired to win on their Homecoming, the Pioneers were undaunted.
As the game progressed, the Pioneers overcame a host of miscues, turnovers and mental mistakes but kept on persisting despite the high temperatures. Instead of giving up, after allowing a second-quarter touchdown, the Pioneers remained focused, motivated and fighting for every inch to gain an advantage.
After straining to move the ball in the first three quarters, the Orland Park Pioneers’ offense came alive just in time to pull off a shocking come-from-behind victory.
Michael O’Connor, a two-way star player with potential to be a big-time player in the future, bulldozed his way into the end zone on a four-yard run with 9:16 left in regulation. With the score knotted at 6-6, the Pioneers scored the winning points on Andrew Richardson’s extra-point, holding on for a thrilling 8-6 victory.
The Pioneers captured their second straight Homecoming victory after beating the New Lenox Jr. Warriors on September 7 at Sandburg High School.
Needless to say, the Pioneers were all thrilled following their stirring victory.
Orland Park quarterback Luke Krokos said the offense managed to win the time of possession battle following their touchdown to hold off the home team.
“At the end of the game, we were just not looking to score,” Krokos said. “We were trying to just push the ball and run the clock and make sure they don’t get the ball back. I feel good, but a little bad since I threw some interceptions, but I will get better.”
On the winning drive, the Pioneers benefitted from a short field. They took advantage of the excellent field position, needing only two plays following a bad punt to push across the winning score.
Krokos set up the winning TD run by tossing a great pass to Cole Baldridge. The speedy wide receiver was one of the standouts in the game, catching three passes for 47 yards.
“We tried to throw it because we knew we could pass it against them because our receivers were doing well,” Krokos said. “Baldridge has good hands, so I tried to throw him the ball. He had a great team.”
O’Connor did his best on offense and defense to keep the game close. O’Connor ran the ball six times for 19 yards, but his work on defense kept the home team from finding the end zone in the second half.
O’Connor had a big pass breakup in the second quarter with 6:55 left on third down to force a punt. Early in the third, he recovered a fumble to end another drive by HF United. The Pioneers’ defense did not allow a touchdown. HF United scored its lone TD on a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. O’Connor said his touchdown carried a lot of meaning.
“It was my first touchdown of the season,” O’Connor said. “It felt really good to score a touchdown. Everyone blocked good on the touchdown. I just ran right through the gap. We battled hard. The defense was really good. We played really good.”
Noah Cordoba joined the smiling crew following the game, as he played a vital role on both lines to help his team to a victory.
“It was an awesome win that we came back and won it,” Cordoba said. “The line was very good and we just have to work on our offense a bit, but we all played strong and showed heart.”
The Pioneers turned the ball over four times, spoiling a strong game by several players on offense. Running back Jase Enstrom was a workhorse, carrying the ball 15 times for 38 yards. HF United had a strong defensive line, forcing Enstrom to work for every yard, but he kept on fighting despite four carries for negative yards.
Jason Erwin did a nice job letting Enstrom take some rest, adding five carries for 19 yards. Quarterback Luke Krokos showed off his legs with three carries for 11 yards.
Krokos completed all three of his passes to Baldridge, overcoming three interceptions by showing his resiliency in the fourth quarter.
All the Pioneers’ head coaches were satisfied with the victory, mainly cause they overcame the heat and four turnovers.
“They controlled the game and were able to run the ball at will, but we just needed a little more execution,” coach Al Krokos said. “We were able to finish. The team didn’t give up and kept going. I thought Baldridge did really good and he kept finding seams. Overall, the team fought hard and I’m proud of this victory.”
The Orland Park Pioneers Lightweights team included several standouts in the comeback victory. The team consists of Gunner McCarthy, Keith Piekarz, Thomas Sutter, Will Poore, Ryan Lukas, Vito Cangelosi, Noah Cordoba, Christopher Medina, Jr., Brooks Foster, Tyler Wilkie, Caden Kolodziej, Anthony LaPapa, Christian Paulson, Blake Nance, Scott Gumienny, Cody Godlewski, Dominic Gabriele, Nick Pomonis, Yousef Yasin, Samuel Horeluk, James Okrasinski, Dominic Lach, Collin Valan, Bradley Patterson, Jimmy Elsberg, Connor Kvelland, Rayder Slabenak and Adam Krokos.
On a very hot and exhausting day, the cheerleaders were a breath of fresh air with their sterling performances and energy that brought several fans to their feet on Sunday afternoon. The team consists of Alexandra Burda, Morgan Collins, Madison Davis, Nora Dorigan, Emma Evans, Chloe Gaj, Kaylee Gaj, Lila Gavin, Madison Hedger, Quinn Heinze, Ava Janota, Margot Joda, Vera Joda, Adaline Johnson, Ella Kluever, Gemma Laniosz, Brielle Lenzen, Brooklyn Loman, Molly McGeever, Aaliyah Medina, Sophia Molina, Ainsley Moore, Annette Mullaney, Kayleigh Mullins, Emily Okrasinski, Kara O’Meara, Ayya Ramadani, Selena Rios, Sydney Scharpf, Avery Seliga, Maeve Smith, Addison Storrs, Peyton Tomasik, Molly Utz and Alivia Zawada.
