By Patrick Z. McGavin- Photos by Kathy Jones
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NEW LENOX— The start was electric, everything a player or coach dreams about, creating the right tone and state of mind that was energizing and free.
The Super Lightweight program of the Orland Park Pioneers was gliding high and fast, feeding off the energy of beating the New Lenox Jr Warriors for the first time in five years last Sunday.
“We came out with a lot of confidence at the start,” Vincent LaPapa said. “We knew we could move the ball.”
Explosive running back Royal Ward blasted outside for a thrilling 50-yard touchdown run on the third play from scrimmage that boosted morale.
The good times did not last as the Lightweights suffered a 13-6 defeat against the Jr Warriors in Wednesday Night Football League action at Lincoln-Way West High School on September 3.
“We started off really well, and had a big run,” coach Pat Richardson said. “Defensively we were playing tough and made some great plays. We stopped them. At the end they were able to get some good drives going on offense, and that’s on us, the defense.”
Ward flashed the burst and excitement that created a heightened excitement and thrill. He showed he was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. He also excelled on defense, showing off the same speed to chase down opposition runners.
That opening possession was the offensive highlight, unlocking the attack and showing that unit as its best. Ward needed just a sliver of daylight to break free.
“My teammates did a great job of blocking for me, and I just took it and ran,” Ward said. “I’m pretty fast, and I can do a lot with the ball, either run between the tackles or get to the outside. I like to use my speed. That’s my favorite part about playing, being able to win some games and making big tackles. Sometimes I make some tackles or run for tackles.”
The early score held up through the balance of the first half. The Pioneers played tough and aggressively defensively, with nose guard Kitai Hubbard gaining penetration to disrupt the Jr Warriors’ attack.
Players like LaPapa, Ward, Cade and Wren Rucinski, Dominic Dronzek, Logan Biskup, Mahmoud Hinnawi and Abdallah Hasan created havoc at the point of attack.
The defense flowed to the ball, sometimes bending, but stepping up to the challenge.
Hubbard’s older brother Ellis is a standout on the Lightweights. Kitai Hubbard flashed the same athleticism and disruptive tendencies.
“We like to play hard,” Kitai Hubbard said. “I love tackling and hitting people and going after the quarterback. I thought we played pretty well tonight, and everybody was excited.”
LaPapa had to fill in for the normal Wednesday night starter, Henry Wade, who was not available.
“Playing quarterback, I just like that you get to handle the ball every single play,” LaPapa said.
Injuries and the speed of the Jr Warriors caught up to the Pioneers in the second half. The Jr Warriors broke two long runs, the second culminating in a tying TD run. The conversion put them up 7-6 6:08 to play in the third quarter.
With a new center and a first-time quarterback, the Pioneers struggled to get their offense going in the second half. The windy and rainy conditions did not help. The team had difficulties with the center and quarterback exchange, yielding many fumbles or bad handoffs. The offense was stuck in neutral.
“Their running backs were running hard,” Richardson said. “Our center went down on a big hit. That’s on me for not having another guy with experience there, and we were going trial by fire. It didn’t work out.”
The players stepped up to the challenges, and never gave up. LaPapa made a touchdown-saving tackle by chasing down a breakaway run by the Jr Warriors.
“I was running as fast as I could to catch him, and he tried to stiff arm me, but I still got there and I pulled him back and tackled him,” he said.
Cade Rucinski recovered a fumble on the next play.
“It’s a great game,” Cade Rucinski said. “I love that it’s a running sport, and you can hit people and block and get the ball. I like hitting people and going out hard. It’s raining, windy, but everybody’s out there having a good time.”
Ward also made some excellent defensive plays that kept the Jr Warriors out of the end zone. He made two chase down blocks from the weakside.
The offense could not replicate the fast start. The Jr Warriors scored an insurance touchdown with 2:16 to play. To their credit the Pioneers played hard until their final snap on offense.
It was a learning experience, and a strong rebound from a week earlier.
“Last Wednesday our guys had it given to them, and they came out tonight with a different attitude,” Richardson said. “I was really proud of them. We have to keep getting better and better. Tackling is what is going to win us some games. That’s where we’re going to have to improve. We had a first-time quarterback, and he did awesome.”
Despite the 13-6 loss, the Orland Park Pioneers Super Lightweights had many contributors and first-team players dressed to offer support. Their members are Peyton Barbee, Mahmoud Abu AlShaikh, Stanley Bielawski, Jax Thomas, Max Kalker, Quinn McCarthy, Ryker Tyrakowski, George Buffo, Joey Guest, Nicholas Vuolo, Suhaib Ballouta, Ethan Brandofino, Noah Hammad, Niko Scumaci, Sean Johnson, Michael Maurella, Abdallah Hasan, Henry Kruse, Shane McDermott, Thomas Richardson and Jibreel Morrar.
