By Ed Muniz-Photos by Renee Kaspar
**Additional Photos are available for purchase at justallsports.zenfolio.com/2022pioneers.**
The River Valley Youth Football League concluded its regular season schedule on October 23.
Among the scheduled games saw the Orland Park Pioneers head to Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights for four games against the H-F Kings.
The Super lightweights opened the day, jump starting the Pioneers on their winning ways with a 26-0 shutout of the hosts, finishing the season at 7-1 and earning the second seed in next week’s League playoffs.
The Pioneers opening drive saw a barrage of runs by speedster Michael O’Connor which included a run of 16-yards, but it was Carter Erwin that opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run around his right end.
The Pioneers carried that 6-0 advantage through the first quarter.
This Pioneer team has displayed all season a talent for shutting opposing offenses down, it did that again.
Tackling by Carter Erwin, Frank Wilkinson, Luke Krokos and Andrew Richardson set the tone early and gave the Kings a sample of what was instore for them all game.
Their opening drive was snuffed out when Owen Garrity’s tackle caused a fumble that was recovered by Luke Krokos.
After stallng on their next possession, the Pioneer defense was back at it, again causing a fumble. This time a stiff tackle by O’Connor popped the ball loose which was recovered for the second time by Luke Krokos.
Unfortunately, the Pioneers couldn’t take advantage of the short field and failed to score from the Kings four-yard-line.
A following tackle by Lucca Morandi saw the Kings just outside their end-zone. The next play had the Pioneers add to their lead via a safety by lineman Cole Baldridge who busted through the line and got to the Kings quarterback in the end-zone.
A big run by Carter Erwin grabbed 15-yards on the ensuing play but three straight losses on runs ended the first half with the Pioneers up 8-0.
The Pioneers defense again managed to come up with a loose ball on the Kings first possession of the second half. Morandi captured the fumble and gave his offense an early third quarter gift which they turned into points shortly thereafter.
Four plays later, O’Connor made a cut inside and raced past every King defender for the 25-yard touchdown, upping the Pioneer lead to 14-0.
With what seemed like an insurmountable lead, the Pioneers defense let loose and stuffed every attempt from the Kings on the next four tries.
O’Connor, Richardson, Wilkinson gave next to nothing to the Kings, forcing a turnover on downs.
Two plays later, O’Connor again broke free and busted 28-yards for his second touchdown. The 20-0 lead stood heading into the final quarter.
Again, the Pioneer defense was too much for the Kings, limited to just four downs. The Pioneer effort was highlighted by a Picture-Perfect tackle by O’Connor who lowered his level and stuck the King runner, halting him as if he hit a wall, with the double-leg takedown.
The Pioneers went to second unit team and gave them opportunities to show their stuff.
Michael Ordman and Vinnie Spizzirri, picked up yards on their carries but Jason Erwin made the best of his, scoring from 27-yards out on a pass from Luke Krokos for the Pioneers final tally of the game and a 26-0 lead.
About the only thing the Pioneers failed at all game was adding the point-after. Four times they couldn’t convert.
Fifth Quarter play saw several big runs for touchdowns from the Pioneers. Michael Ordman ran two in from 40-yards out.
“Just gotta hit the hole good, if you hit the hole good then you can break loose and get to the outside,” said MJ (Michael). “I could work on getting through the hole better, but I think it works for me because I know where to go. I like running the ball because I like to score and help my team win.”
Noah Cordoba also managed to get in the end-zone with his 11-yard touchdown run. Known more as a blocker, which he does extremely well, he relished his opportunity to score.
Cordoba said, “I practice with my dad sometimes and I have good coaches. I just learn and focus on what I have to do. I like playing offense, but I also really like defense too. I think I can get better if I work harder. It’s fun.
Ellis Hubbard scored the last of the four touchdowns with a power run of 30-yards. His compact stature makes him a cannonball that is difficult to tackle and stop. He isn’t small by any means, he is a strong, power-runner that will drag guys with him.
Defensively, the Pioneers dominated play which included a touchdown saving tackle by Austin Flynn who lowered his shoulder and smashed the runner forcing him out of bounds.
Gavin Garrity, Rayder Slabebak, Nick Pomonis, Zane Jedeh all contributed with tackles but the play of Chris Medina Jr. stood out.
Medina Jr. was quite active in making tackle after tackle and busting through the line to make stops in the backfield. He led the way for the Pioneer defense and showed his talents. The Kings had no answer for him.
“Tackling them made me feel good,” said Medina Jr. “I was getting through the line today because I’m real fast, I was quicker than them and I know what to do. I like getting the guys with the ball. I think we can get another championship too.”
“We got better as the season went on, blocking got stronger, but it’s all about our defense,” said Head Coach Al Krokos. “We can stay just where we are defensively and improve a little on the offense, that’s how we will get better heading into the playoffs.”
Other Pioneers adding to the stelar season so far are Thomas Sutter, Jack DuBpos, Taylan Morandi, Blake Schuler, Zach Ballouta, Jase Enstrom, Wyatt Kipper, Cayden Caldwell, Shane Sternberg, Jordan Ulaszek, Arthur Slabenak, Anthony LaPapa, Christian Paulson, Scott Gumienny, Laith Hammami, Cody Godlewski, Yousef Yasin, James Okrasinski, Nolan Burke, Aaron McCarthy, Thomas Richardson, Nathan Campos, Jude Morrar, Max Bauer and Adam Krokos.
Cheering all game were the Suoer Lightweight Pioneer Cheerleaders which include Juliana Corsi, Madison Davis, Violet Fredin, Brynn Fregeau, Mia Fregeau, Martin Groark, Hadley Hanrahan, Quinn Heinze, Alaina Holoubek, Vera Joda, Margot Joda, Callie Juarez-Radovanovic, Ella Kluever, Gemma Laniosz, Brielle Lenzen, Aubrey Mason, Amanda Mathis, Brailey McDonough, Annabella Milosovic, Ayya Ramadani, Avery Seliga, Peyton Tomasik, and Moira Troy.
The Pioneers will face the New Lenox Knights on October 29 in Homer Glen at Killmer Field at 10 am to open the Playoffs.
