By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase for 2 weeks at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p228321065 **
ORLAND PARK— Basking in the glow of victory is easy and celebratory. Dealing with emotions or feelings harder to take is the measure of something equally valuable.
On a gorgeous day of pageantry and fun, the Super Lightweights of the Orland Park Pioneers had to cope with a hard dose of reality.
The supremely gifted quarterback of the opposition took his team’s first play from scrimmage 48 yards to the brink of the Pioneers’ goal line. A touchdown followed on the next play.
“Our guys are tough from top to bottom,” Pioneers’ coach Pat Richardson said. “They got punched in the mouth from the start, and it took us a minute to get back into it. We did respond to that.”
The Super Lightweights never gave up despite the early adversity in the 18-0 setback against the New Lenox Jr Warriors as part of Homecoming in a River Valley Youth Football League game on Sunday, September 8 at Sandburg.
The Pioneers dug in and showed tremendous spirit and resilience despite surrendering touchdowns on each of the first two drives by the Jr Warriors.
The wake up moment came on the Pioneers’ third possession when pressure against quarterback Gavin Garrity resulted in an interception. It appeared more of the same with the Jr Warriors taking over deep inside the Pioneers’ territory.
Sean Kikilas powered a defensive stand that illustrated the resolve and toughness of the team.
Kikilas is fast, mobile and very destructive at the point of attack, like his idol, former Bears’ star Khalil Mack. With the Pioneers trailing 12-0 at the start of the second quarter, he made a point of emphasis.
“I just have long arms, and I love to get to the ball,” he said.
Kikilas registered three consecutive tackles, including two for losses. He combined with Taylor Morandi and CJ Hufford for the stop on fourth down.
Garrity atoned for his own interception by recording the first of the Pioneers’ two interceptions late in the second quarter. His impressive thievery prevented another possible scoring drive by the Jr Warriors.
“I like that nobody on our team quit despite the early touchdowns they scored,” Kikilas said. “I tried pumping up the team, and they pushed through. Our other guys forced them to block, and I was able to make a lot of tackles.”
Dominic Maurella, Ammar Abdelmuti, Luke Bosack, Garrity, Morandi and Kikilas were the defensive standouts. They created pressure on the ball.
After the long run and a deep pass by the Jr Warriors on their first two possessions, the Pioneers largely kept the talented offense in check until a late final score.
“The coaches really push us in practice,” Kikilas said. “We’re never tired in the games.”
Morandi came off the edge and threw his body fearlessly into the mass of players, showing the sacrifice and discipline of a team that never backed down.
“We made a lot of tackles, and we continued to play hard out there,” Morandi said. “I did a good job of protecting the outside, and not letting them get around me. I like to be aggressive out there.”
Bosack said the play of Kikilas provided the emotional spark the Pioneers needed to lift their spirits. “He’s a very good defensive player, and he really helped us get going,” Bosack said.
He made a touchdown saving tackle off a long pass play on the second drive of the Jr Warriors.
“Their big receiver made a good catch, and I thought he was going to get away from me, but I made a good tackle. I really thought in my head I could get him, and I did,” Bosack said. “The whole team has a very good bond. Some kids want to get a touchdown, and some want to get tackles. We play together.”
At the start of the second half, Bennett Kersten made a standout play with his alert and athletic interception inside the Pioneers’ territory that kept his team competitive.
“The receiver was near me, and I had at least one chance to get the ball and I was able to grab it,” Kersten said. “Everybody played hard and fought. We just need to practice harder, and work harder and the wins are going to come.”
The defense maintained the Pioneers’ competitive stand with the Jr Warriors. By contrast, the offense never quite got untracked against the physical and skilled defense of the Jr Warriors.
Garrity tried to create openings on the edge as a dual-threat runner and thrower. Morandi was never able to get loose into the secondary.
“We were a little off track with our offense today,” Garrity said. “We couldn’t really move the ball. We tried to pass it more. I think we just have to work on our blocking, and go back to the plays that worked in the earlier games.”
The Jr Warriors tacked on a late touchdown for the final margin. Some of the crucial reserves were able to see important playing time.
Despite the final score, the Pioneers never wavered or faltered. Until the final whistle, the team played hard and looked to move the ball or stop the Jr Warriors. The team knows no other way.
“A lot of credit goes to that team,” Richardson said. “Their quarterback was very talented. We have to get them prepared a little better for the physicality. They didn’t stop coming today. Later in the game, we did a better job. We’re going to recover, and we’re going to be fine. It’s one loss early in the season, and we’re going to respond just fine.”
In the Fifth Quarter, Henry Wade capably ran the offense, and Sean Johnson scored a touchdown. “I got a good run, and I had good defense and good blocking,” Johnson said.
Despite the Homecoming loss, the Super Lightweights received strong contributions throughout the lineup. Those players were Peyton Barbee, JJ Abuzir, Nate Abbs, Moody Jaber, Quinn McCarthy, Zachariah Ballouta, Wyatt Kipper, Suhaib Ballouta, Xyan Bell, Lawson Capps, Martin Groark, Brady Higgins, Zakariya Jaber, Alex Kopec, Shane Sternberg, Luke Holoubek, Vinny LaPapa, Michael Maurella, Michael Patterson, Michael Ramos, Lorcan Redmond, Arthur Slabenak, Paxton Leithleiter, Ian Frost, Jonathan Mizera, William Jordan, Michael Sweis, Jordy Kolodziej, Thomas Richardson, Luke McDoniel, Paul Rylan Davies and Amari Adigun.
The cheerleaders also brought passion and grace in their special Homecoming performances. Those performers were Sofie Annerino, Nora Astor, Aleena Badwan, Lea Barbee, Lucy Bohanek, Stella Bristow, Gianna Bryk, Evelyn Byrne, Charlotte Dorigan, Zoey France, Normandy Golden, Sadie Griffin, Stella Guerrero, Alaina Holoubek, Callie Juarez-Radovanovic, Eleanor Koehn, Kennedy Krokos, Siena Lang, Mia Mizera, Savannah Molina, Hazel Nicholas, Grace Poore, Falyn Simon and Isla Zelensek.
