By Ed Muniz- Photos by Alek Maslowiec
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ORLAND PARK- The Wednesday Night Football League playoff got underway on October 9.
At each level, Super Lightweight, Lightweight, Junior Varsity and Varsity, the top four teams earned the opportunity to participate in the 2024 Playoffs.
Among those earning the chance to capture a league title were the Orland Park Pioneers.
For the Pioneers, three of their four teams had enough success during the season that it warranted them a berth and an opportunity to play in the Championship season which consisted of two games if you won your opening game, concluding on October 16.
SLW, LW and Varsity teams would represent the Pioneers who have had success in previous playoffs especially at the younger levels.
Orland Parks newest football facility, Schussler Park, would be the site of two games with Lightweight and Varsity Pioneer hosting the New Lenox Jr. Warriors at SLW and Varsity hosting the Homer Stallions in consecutive games.
Although for the most part, it is very much the same as River Valley Youth Football League playoffs games with a few exceptions, games last approximately one hour with a running clock that has limited stoppage and no kickoffs or punts at any level.
The opening game of the evening saw the Lightweight Pioneers take on the New Lenox Jr. Warriors. Both teams featured defenses that had limited opponents throughout the season.
This game was no different. Defenses stymied opposing offenses and it was one big play that turned out to be the difference in the game.
A run that looked headed to the far sideline, was quickly cut back in and turned into a 60-yard touchdown run up the middle for the Jr. Warriors that stood up the rest of the game for the 6-0 victory over the Pioneers and a chance at a WNFL Championship.
The Pioneers ability to get to the edge was challenged throughout the game which saw a big part of their offense being silenced while their passing game also struggle. Throws were off their mark all game which limited how well the Pioneers performed offensively.
A dismal first half saw the Pioneers punt three of their four possessions and have a pass intercepted on the other.
The Pioneers did open the game running the ball and Picking up yards advancing up field. The opening possession saw them go on a 9-play drive behind the running of Adam Krokos, Bradley Patterson and Michael Ordman.
But an incompletion near midfield forced them to punt that ended the promising start.
The Pioneers defense did their usual part giving up limited yards on the Jr. Warriors first offensive series behind the tackling of Patterson, Christian Paulson, Bennett Brown, and Scott Gumienny. They too forced a punt by the Jr. Warriors on the first play of the second quarter.
A pass completion by Brown to Patterson got the Pioneers jump started on the 13-yard completion but that was all the Jr. Warriors gave up on the next three plays and once again saw the Pioneers having to punt the ball away.
Punts are approximately half the distance of the field from the line of scrimmage and are walked off by the referees.
Tackles by Patterson, Paulson and Gumienny made quick work of the Jr. Warriors offense and got the ball back to the Pioneers offense on the three and out by the Jr. Warriors.
Unfortunately, a pass-play by the Pioneers saw a Brown pass intercepted on first down after the punt that gave possession right back to the visitors.
Two plays later, the Jr. Warriors found the endzone after the 60-yard run for the 6-0 advantage midway through the second quarter.
Tthe Pioneers tried two pass-plays that fell incomplete and a run that grab no yards on their following possession which saw them have to give up the ball nearing the end of the open half.
The Jr. Warriors took a 6-0 lead into halftime soon after.
The second half saw both teams limiting what the other did. Running the ball was difficult as defensive team speed kept the others offense at bey and off the scoreboard the rest of the game.
After the initial surprised score by the Jr. Warriors, the Pioneers defense was stellar. Tackling saw several Pioneers swarming to the football where ever it went for stops but the Pioneers were susceptible to the pass.
The Jr. Warriors found passing the ball the most productive way to move the ball against the stout Pioneers defense.
But still, the Pioneers “bend but don’t break” defense held the Jr Warriors scoreless the remainder of the game behind the tackling of Patterson, Paulson, Gumienny, Nick Pomonis, Gunner McCarthy, Krokos, Brown and Ordman.
Unfortunately, the Pioneers offense couldn’t crack the visitors defensive code and were held scoreless as well, succumbing to the second quarter score and ending the WNFL playoff in defeat at 6-0.
Patterson was key on both sides of the ball but stood out more defensively. His quickness to the ball and ability to pursue and tackle kept the Jr. Warriors from adding another score.
“All the blitzing worked really well for us but we just couldn’t wrap up enough,” said Patterson. “We also couldn’t watch where the ball was going at times and when they scored. We couldn’t move the ball tonight; the line was blocking but we couldn’t move the ball much.”
“They were quick to the outside where we ran. Maybe we ran a little bit too much to the outside, still not too bad how we played.”
Christian Paulson was also stellar defensively. He led the team in tackles and was a pest to the Jr. Warriors offense, constantly getting to their backfield for the tackle or assisting on stops.
“The blitzes worked for me today and when the ball was on my side I was able to get to it quick,” said the emotional Paulson. “I’m usually the guy that cleans up; if our other linebackers aren’t able to get them, I usually step in and clean everything up and make the tackle. I think this was a pretty normal game for me but I could block better. Just disappointed in the loss.
Other Pioneers adding to the outstanding season with their play or support includes Keith Piekarz, Thomas Sutter, Joey Zotto, Will Poore, Luke Krokos, Cole Baldridge, Jackson Biskup, Ryan Lukas, Jase Enstrom, Vito Cangelosi, Carter and Jason Erwin, Mike Oconnor, Lucca Morandi, Noah Cordoba, Chris Medina Jr., Andrew Richardson, Brooks Foster, Tyler Wilkie, Caden Kolodziej, Anthony LaPapa, Blake Nance, Laith Hammami, Cody Godlewski, Dominic Gabrielle, Samuel Horeluk, James Okrasinski, Dominic Lach, Collin Valan, Jimmy Elsberg, Connor Kvelland, Michael Galivan, Jude Morrar, Rayder Slabenak and Owen Garrity.
