By Ed Muniz-Photos by Lauren Gray
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p473109005 **
FLOSSMOOR— It’s well known that difficult weather can even the playing field when teams are mis-matched or create errors that one normally wouldn’t have.
On September 20, Mother Nature was doing all she could to provide the conditions where the combatants throughout the day at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, would have to deal not only with each other but with her pesky rain.
Things just seem to happen in the rain. Sure hands become nearly nonexistent, footing becomes slick and slippery, handling and holding on to a drenched pigskin is not an easy task nor is passing.
When the H-F United played host to the Orland Park Pioneers Red, the two Lightweight teams came into the game with Identical 2-1 records. After the final whistle, H-F United upped its season record to 3-1 while the Pioneers dropped to 2-2 after the 25-7 win at home.
First hallf turnovers by the Pioneers turned out to be the difference headed into the break, but also HF United’s speed and ability to create big plays because of it.
The Pioneers offense dominated play to begin the game. Of the first 17-plays run by both teams, 16 were by the Pioneers offense.
The lone HF United offensive effort after a Pioneers fumble resulted in the games first score. The ability to get outside to the sidelines using their speed, resulted in a 58-yard sprint to the endzone and a 6-0 lead for the host.
The first half was beyond favoring one team when it came to possession. The Pioneers offense held on to the ball in 24 of the 30 plays run by both teams combined, but trailed 12-0 at the break.
Three times during their possessions, the Pioneers turned the ball over via a fumble or an interception, resulting in the first half deficit.
“The team was really right there,” said Coach Dan Kolodziej. “They had two big plays that they broke away from us, one at the end of half that they put time back on the clock, everyone saw that. Overall, We competed with them and held our own. We moved the ball and controlled a lot of the time out there. We were moving it on offense then some mistakes hurt us. We were 100% happy with the way we played against them. Our line has been outstanding in helping us move the ball and it carried over from last week, just doing a great job.”
Behind the legs Sean Kikilas, Taylan Mrandi and Gavin Garrity, the Pioneers were chomping up yards, advancing slowly, small chunks at a time. Whether the rain resulted in them losing the ball on a fumble recovered by HF United is unsure but what definitly happened one play later was a touchdown run on HF United following play and a 6-0 lead.
Again the trio of Piioneers were moving the ball and controlling possession into the end of the first quarter. Garrity also contected on a pass with Bennett Kersten.
The Pioneers second drive continued as they looked to even the game up, beginning the second quarter.
Kikilas’ number was now being called often in the Pioneers efforts to score.
Beginning at midfield, the Pioneers moved the football on the 12-play drive to the HF United 3-yardline. A pesky procedure penalty followed by an incomplete pass, a two-yard run and a fumble, forced the Pioneers to give up the football on downs , ending the golden scoring opportunity.
Garrity and Kikilas defensive stops forced the host to punt right back to the Pioneers after four plays deep in their territory.
With little time left in the half, the Pioneers went to the air. Garrity completed a pass to Morandi but would end up being intercepted two plays later with just seconds left.
A key moment in the game came after a run was stopped by the Pioneers defense with no time left on the clock to end the half. Mysteriously, the referees put two-seconds back on the clock to the disdain of the Pioneers coaches, players and fans.
With the added time, HF United struck gold as a handoff went off tackle then left to the near sideine and didn’t end until it reached the endzone with no time left in the half. With the touchdown, the Pioneers deficit doubled to 12-0 at the break.
It didnt take long for the Pioneers to be back on offense. Aggressive play by the Pioneers defense saw them push United backwards from their own 35-yardline. Kersten was key in doing that. Penalties also helped as United rang up two consecutive false starts followed by a fumble recovery by Morandi, giving the Pioneers an excellent opportunity to get back in the game with the short field.
Sitting 18-yards from the endzone, the Pioneers ground game was back at work, closing the gap on each Kikilas and Garrity run. After five-consecuting running plays, the Pioneers faced a thrid and goal from the 1-yardline, from there, Kikilas plowed into the endzone on the dive for the Pioneers touchdown. Kikilas also added the point-after to close the score to 12-7.
Kikilas is a talented runner. He displays on every carry the willingness to take on all comers. The power back can be elusive but his style is to make contact and plow the road. He doesn’t shy away from being the hammer against all nails and displayed that all game.
“I was trying to keep my feet moving, I had a line that was blocking pretty good, so I was just using their help when I ran the ball. I think I’m more a power runner, I like banging and getting in there picking up the hard yards. One guy isn’t bringing me down and stopping me. I look up to Mike Alstott and because he kept his feet moving, no one can tackle him that easy. Maybe I can improve on the way I handle the ball in the open field. The team; we did pretty good but on defense, maybe we could contain way better, they got outside of me too. We need to keep our heads up even after they score. We played good today, just four plays we didn’t, four plays!”
The Pioneers momentum was short lived after HF United responded just four plays later with a 36-yard touchdown run, to open the fourth quarter.
Morandi and Kikilas were doing all they could coming up with stops but again the host speed played huge as they upped the deficit once again to 12 with a 19-7 lead.
Although the Pioneers moved the ball again using their running attack of Morandi, Kikilas and Garrity, they couldnt sustain a drive worthy of a score. Another fumble and Interception also complicated their opportunities.
The defense continued to play well with Cj Hufford, Jude Atieh, Arthur Slabenak and Morandi making solo tackles up until late in the game when again, HF United busted free on a sprint to the outside that went 58-yards for the touchdown. upping the tally to 25-7.
Slabenak was one Pioneer that seemed well fitted in hs position at nose. He was a clog up the middle but also showed an ability to beat his opponent several times off the ball. HF United couldn’t get much running near him.
“I’m pretty used to playing defense,” said Arthur. “I really like getting tackles, sacks and just making contact, I like that. Sometimes when I’m down, when I make a play; a tackle, it gets me motivated to do more and I’m up at that point. I prefer playing linebacker or d-back but I’m good playing noseguard. People usually double team me playing noseguard, thats the hard part of it. I think im pretty comfortable reacting on the snap, maybe I could fire off the ball a little more, but I’m good pretty much.”
A couple Pioneer plays later, the game concluded with the Pioneers suffering their second loss of the season.
Fifth Quarter action saw the Pioneers hold their own both defensively and offensively. Several players displayed their skills. Among them were Nicholas Vuolo and Royal Ward running the ball along with Sean Johnson. Defensively, Thomas McCann grabbed a fumble recovery after Jonathan Mizera hard tackle caused the fumble but one Pioneers line play both on offense and defense was stellar.
Paul Rylan Davies displayed outsanding technique and effort not only at the line but beyond it. He was a wall offensively providing excellent blocking while also making it difficult for oppossing runners to get by him.
“I Keep going to pratice and trying my best,” said Davies. “I have three brothers at home and I want them to look up to me. I want to impress my family. I did wrestling for three years so I was used to the contact when I started football. I think wrestling helps me in football. In your wrestling stance, you’re in the same position when you’re tackling or blocking. I can get better so I’m gonna push myself more at practice, practice harder to get better.”
Other Pioneers giving their all in the difficult weather included Mahmoud Abu Alshaikh, Nicolas and Anthony Lang, MJ Groark, Ethan Brandofino, Zacharia Nofal, Shane Sternberg, Henry Simons, Taym Nofal, Austin D’Andrea, Henry Wade, Mohammed Abu Alshaikh, William Sraga, Nathan Schultz, William Jordan, Jordy Kolodziej, Luke McDoniel, Yazen Nijem and Amir Haddad.
