By Francisco Avila- Photos by Alexa Bordick
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase for 2 weeks at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p685464178 **
PLAINFIELD- Showcasing their teams on Homecoming day were the Plainfield Saints of the Chicagoland Pop Warner Football League. All toll, 12 game would be held at Plainfield Central High School on September 22 on two football fields adjacent to each other.
Games would be held in the main stadium on turf while the second field feature natural grass.
Although the weather wasn’t ideal, one of the teams showcased, putting on a great performance was the Saints 8U team. They played host to the visiting Joliet Titans.
The Saints gave nothing away, as they put on a very convincing performance and laid waste to the visiting team, ending with a 26-7 Homecoming win.
“They came out after last week with a real tough game that they won by a point. They practiced hard all week,” said head coach, Sean Clancy of his players.
“It was kind of a wake-up call last week for that close win, and right from the get-go, the defense set the tone right from the first couple of plays. And then they kept going all game. So we’re just going to keep going. We’re 5-0 now.”
The Saints wasted no time getting started, as they opened the first quarter in great fashion from an offensive rushing play down the middle which ended in a touchdown from Umar Henson to make the game 6-0, showing his scoring abilities putting his team in the lead.
The second quarter saw the Saints keeping the foot on the pedal, scoringwith a run to the sedge by Nathan Bania to up the lead to 12-0.
The Saints continued to add to their lead when Bania scored again just before halftime giving his Saints an 18-0 advantage heading into the break.
Both Bania and Henson spoke on their touchdowns and the team victory.
“It’s pretty fun. And I got to try a new position,” said Bania on his two touchdowns.
“I did a good job,” said Henson on his touchdown. “I got a touchdown, and I got a tackle.”
The Saints opened the second half similar to the first, continuing to look for scoring opportunities. Bania and Henson conveyed their offensive strengths and rapid spread as both had great rushing plays.
The Titans were able to get one back and put some pressure on the Saints, scoring a touchdown and converting on their extra-point try to put the game at 18-7. However, the Saints quickly responded and scored again via Bania rushing up the middle. Kicker Decker Shabala then added the 2-point conversion kick, upping the score to 26-7 that had both players, teammates, and coaches ecstatic and put the game completely out of reach for the Titans.
Several others Saints contributed to the win. Those players included Matuesz Blachut, Declan Clancy, Levi Moore, Luke Kokowicz, Damian De Leon, Timothy Goodwin, Kameron Gwin, Jack Collier, Aiden Gomez, Stratton Womack, Sultan Beckett Sultan, Charles LaFlamboy, Kane Fink, Beau Brooks, Austin Alba, Zachary Wason, Emmett Reyes, Evan Li, Colin Kranc, Gavin Taylor, Henry Vore, Parker Lopez, and Kreml Henry Kreml.
