By Ed Muniz-Photos by Paul Connolly
**Our Apologies, Additional Photos are not Available for this game. Just All Sports will again cover the WNFL Super Lightweights on September 4 to provide a better, full experience. **
Orland Park-In their second week of WNFL competition, The Super Lightweight Pioneers were ready to take on the Frankfort Falcons at their home field of Sandburg HS.
Historically, since the WNFL inception, the Orland Park Pioneers have been a title contender at this division nearly every year while also capturing league titles several times.
The Pioneers have a knack for gathering some of the most talented 6-, 7- and 8-year-olds in the south suburbs.
The August 28 matchup saw the Pioneers vying for its second consecutive win in two tries after a dominating win in week one.
Although the Pioneers fell behind, they never panicked and worked their way back to overcome a deficit and finish on the winning side with three touchdowns to prevail and remain unbeaten with the 19-6 win.
Offensively, Peyton Barbee was the standout, rushing for 117 yards on 8 carries and scoring a pair of touchdowns of 62 and 20 yards.
“It was easy scoring because my teammates actually blocked pretty good,” said Barbee. “I just think of scoring touchdowns when I get good blocks. I thought we also played good defense.”
Barbee was correct about his teams’ defense.
After giving up a long touchdown run which surprised the Pioneers, the defense completely shut down the Falcons offense, along with grabbing an interception by Zach Ballouta.
Whether trying to run the ball or through the air, the smallest of the Pioneers were stealthy and stingy hosts.
The Falcons lone touchdown came immediately after the Pioneer fumbled the football. Possibly the loss fumble was still on their minds during the Falcons touchdown run.
It could be argued that Zach Ballouta was the equivalent of Barbee in this game after his play on both sides of the ball.
Scoring a touchdown from 20 yards out to end the third quarter while also grabbing a pick and showing a tackling prowess that included a big sack of the quarterback, it surely warranted a “Star” status of the game.
“I think everybody knew I was going to do pretty good today because I practiced hard a lot and never stopped working,” said Zach. “My family was here to cheer for me to do good, so I had to.”
Jordy Kolodziej was being Jordy. His elusive, deceiving quickness also provided positive yards nearly every time he took a handoff from quarterback Thomas Richardson.
Although kept off the scoreboard, Jordy was always thrilling the Pioneer fans each run.
It wouldn’t work so well for the Pioneers without a good helmsman leading the offensive ship. Richardson does just that and does it quite well.
His ability to direct the offense and get plays off is veteranesque.
But it isn’t just him, his partner hiking the ball is Lorcan Redmond. Redmond is a vital key of the Pioneers offense performing well.
“We practice snapping the ball a lot,” said Richardson. “We do that a lot probably every couple of weeks, or more. I think we can get around the defense better too. We just have to practice more and also get the handoffs better.”
Playing both Center and Middle-linebacker, Lorcan excels at both. He knows his duties at both positions and shows his abilities whether snapping the ball and blocking or looking to make the tackle as a linebacker.
“I like both, but I really like the MAC (middle-linebacker) because it’s really fun when you get to bash some heads,” said Redmond. “You just want to make people quit. Playing center, I’m really focused on getting the ball up and making a tackle when at linebacker.”
Several other Pioneers were displaying their tackling abilities. Alex Kopec, Michael Patterson Zach Ballouta along with Ordman, all made stops, adding to the team tally.
Others Pioneers Supporting or contributing to the win were JJ Abuzir, Nate Abbs, Moody and Zakariya Jaber, Luke Bosack, Sean Kikilas, Wyatt Kipper, Xyan Bell, Scooby Ballouta, Lawson Capps, Martin Groark, Brady Higgins, Alex Kopec, CJ Hufford, Luke Holoubek, Sean Johnson, Bennett Kersten, Vinny LaPapa, Michael and Dominic Maurella, Gavin Garrity, Michael Ramos, Arthur Slabenak, Henry Wade, Paxson Leithleiter, Ian Frost, Jonathan Mizera, Quinn McCarthy, Ammar Abdelmuti, William Jordan, Michael Sweis, Paul Rylan Davies, Luke McDoniel and Amari Adigun.
