New Season, New Coach, New Talents, New Hopes for Jr. Celtics 11U-D3

By Miles Toogo- Photos by Lauren Gray

Mokena— With the conclusion of youth baseball around the country, the transition to the sounds of pads thumping, helmets clashing and whistles blowing eases in, but soon become a loud awakening that signals the arrival of Football.

Each year, the sure sounds of football begin an echoing tradition of America’s most watched Sport. With its 2025 arrival, a bevy of teams and their players start their practice sessions with their indiviaual and team goals all reaching for the stars; the first steps in a possible Championship ending.

For some it’s old hat, they know the process and what it takes to reach the mountain top, for others, it’s another chance at glory that has routinely avoided them, and still for others, it’s an introduction into a sport that will test them not just as an individual but also as a team.

Each year, boys and even some girls venture into the new realm for their first time and will make memories that will last with them for years, possibly their entire lives.

But that isn’t limited to the players, new coaches along with new players will also meet new challenges and that can be pressure packed!

Mokena’s Illinios Jr. Celtics wiill have at least one new coach that will bring his abilities to a program that is always vying for a National Championship.

Tony Urso will bring his coaching talents and experience to the south suburb and lead the 11U-D3 Jr. Celtics.

Becoming a member of the Jr. Celtics was an easy decision for Tony.

“The long history of this organization, winning records, national championships,” said Coach Urso. ” This was also closer to home for me and it seemed like the great fit for me and my son after speaking with Athletic Director, David Brown. We hit off right away, it was the right move for us.”

Some new coaches feel the pressure to do well in their inaugural season but for Coach Urso, it doesn’t exist.

“No, I dont feel any pressure. It’s basic fundamentals and its the process the boys have to learn over and over again for them to be successful or to complete their goals.”

Urso also likes the makeup of his team which included some new players to the program.

“I absolutely feel we have a great variety of talent on the team. Some of the players we brought in are going to add on to the core nucleus of the group and I’m feeling very confident of their abilities”

Among those newcomers are Greyson Johnson, Anthony Baniewicz, Austin Flynn and Tomasino Urso.

Johnson is a bruiser who will showcase his talents in the backfield and at outside-linebacker. He welcomes everything brought his way whether running the ball or making the stop.

Baniewicz brings his talents at quarterback from the successful RVYFL OP Pioneers and could be a big asset to the team and the versatile middle-linebacker’ Tomasino will certainly provide his abilities on defense but also on offense and do what is required to help his team be successful.

Another newbie transfer to the team is Austin Flynn who takes his defensive skills to cornerback and will be a fixture on contributing to the tackling talley.

The Jr. Celtics have been looking to expand the program. This year the Jr. Celtics will feature a pair of teams at 11U. With the expansion, the Jr. Celtics elected to have a team at Division 2 and Division 3. As far as Coach Urso was concerned, it made no difference to him, however, as a D3 team, his Jr. Celtics will be limited to a state and regional titles and not be eligible for a national title.

“I told them during the interview process that it didnt matter to me what level we played at. I just wanted to prove ourselves, be successful and advance,” said Coach Urso. “I feel obviously that Greyson is going to be a standout for us, I feel Tomasino will excell for us and Will (Janik) and Grant (Whitchurch) are going to be extraodinary players for us as well.”

Coach Urso and his team also set team goals.

“We want to develope these kids as much as we possibly can and continue our core values which include the four corners of our belief system.”

“To believe in a higher power other than yourself, believe in the process the coaches are instructing you with, believe in each other and believe in yourself”

Urso feels the way mental health is in youth sports these days, it’s extremely important to believe in yourself.

“These boys are very coachable and they truly seem to understand what we are about and what we are going to accomplish. I’m excited for this year. I played college football for four years, I was defensive coordinator for three years; defense has been my passion but I’m excited about this year because now I get to do a little offense, it’s a nice tradeoff to what I’m accustom to and it’s also fun.”

The 11U-D3 Jr. Celtics of course want to win every game possible and have set goals of having a winning season, win state and regionals and advancing to the next level of competition. With the talent already there and the new add-on players, dont be surprised if they exceed all their goals in 2025.

Coach Urso also mentioned he feels he will get great cotributions from his veterans and others throughout his team.

Meet the Players: