By Miles Toogo- Photos by Lauren Gray
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchse at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p401605995 **
NEW LENOX— Ahhh, the Taste of Victory! if you compete in anything, winning is a sweetness you’ll savor for days.
Whether in sports or in another form of competition; a science fair, a spelling bee, a hot dog eating contest; when you finish the winner, the overwhelming feeling of being better than everyone or a team, is as gratifying a feeling you can experience.
Now if you’re lucky enough or talented enough to win over and over, repeatedly, then its luster is dullened and it means less and less and now becomes expected and just isn’t as special as the very first time.
Way on the other end of the spectrum are those that work hard and try and try, over and over, to reach what may seem unatainable, simply winning for the first time. Eventually it will happen but the journey to it seems like it will never happen. You get closer, on the verge but once again, winning eludes you. It’s a difficult acceptance of the almost.
The Super Lightweight Pioneers were on the cusp of finally earning their first win of the season after jumping out ahead 12-0 after two quarters. Heard on the sidelines were players stating they couldn’t believe they were going to win their first game ever. Two quarters later, a late game score by the Jr. Warriors turned what should have been a celebration of Victory into another game of what could have been with the 13-12 loss on September 27.
Althoug the Pioneers have been improving steadily, winning has eluded them all season. Whether on Sundays or in their WNFL, they have yet to find the Fruits of Victory in 2026.
Coach Paul Bertucci and staff are a patient group and understand that winning takes time but know, eventually the difficulties of this season, the learning of losing will right itself and the Pioneers will become am expectant winner very soon.
The Pioneers defense was dominant beginning the game. They pestered the Jr. Warriors offense from the open snap. Aggressive play by Tyler Duchovitz, Liam McNulty, Zajkariya Jaber, Michael Maurella and Vinny LaPapa forced the Jr. Warriors to lose the ball on downs to open the game.
When the Pioneers offense took over, they didn’t stop until they crossed into the endzone. Their opening series went 10-plays behind the running attack of Scooby Ballouta, Matthew O’Shea and Liam McNulty. Also adding to the positive drive was the passing combination of McNulty to Vinny LaPapa that grabbed 11-yards.
After beginning the second quarter, soon the Pioneers were in the redzone. From the Jr. Warriors 13, McNulty took the snap and proceeded up the middle, broke a tackle and bound into the endzone to give the Pioneers their first score and a 6-0 lead.
Now ahead and looking to stay that way with all the momentum, the Pioneers defense wasn’t about to give up the lead. A spirited defense now was running the show behind the tackling of Duchovitz, Jaber and McNulty, who delivered a quick four and done, forcing the host to give up the ball on downs.
Two plays later, McNulty took a snap, weaved to the outside left and raced 37-yards to extend the Pioneers lead with the second touchdown run of the quarter, now leading 12-0 and in total control of the game.
With a two score lead, the Pioneers were experiencing something it hadn’t all season and were determined to hold the lead into halftime. The final two minutes of the openng half saw its defense again stifle any Jr. Warrior attempt. Two tackles by Ballout and Maurella forced the Jr. Warriors to try passing, it didn’t end well as Ballouta came away with the interception to close out the first half.
With the Pioneers defense playing so well prior to the break, you almost wished they could forego the break and continue with its momentum, possibly scoring again to put the game out of reach.
But youth football is fickled that way. One team may have everything going its way, then comes halftime. What advantages one may have had in the first half dosen’t always continue after the break. A chance to regroup and make adjustments for one side while the other may stay the course and think all is well,”it ain’t broke, so we aren’t fixing anything”.
An ampped-up Jr. Warriors defense came out of the break and smothered the Pioneers offense, limiting them to just four plays before punting.
It took the Jr. Warriors just two plays to go 57-yards for their first score of the game. A long 53-yard burst found the endzone catching the Pioneers defense napping, After adding the point-after, the Jr. Warriors now trailed 12-7.
All game up to that point, the Pioneers stellar defense had prevented the big play with swarmng tackling. Unfortunately, it reared its ugly head midway through the third quarter to cut into their lead.
The Pioneers tried to respond, taking their 8-play drive into the fourth quarter. The rushing offense of Ballouta and McNulty did have some success the remainder of the third quarter but once the Pioneers entered the final quarter around midfield, the Jr. Warriors defense shut them down with good defense on a pass and two tackles for losses to force a punt and stall the promising Pioneers drive.
It was up to the Pioneers defense to hold the lead. For 11 straight tries, the Pioneers defense came up with tackles. Among those making stops were Maurella, Max Kalker, LaPapa, Ballouta, Elias Joda and Duchovitz.
But on its 12th attempt from the Pioneers 21-yardline, a jet sweep to the left out-paced the Pioneers defense, finding the endzone with just 35-seconds left in the game. The touchdown now had the Pioneers trailing 13-12.
The remaining last several seconds saw two incomplete passes fall while a 12-yard run by LaPapa was not nearly enough, handing the Pioneers a tough loss to swallow after leading for most of the game.
Offensively, the Pioneers saw the talented Liam McNulty show his skills. His two touchdown runs paved the way for an exciting first half for the Pioneers. His elusiveness and ability to get to the edge quickly and avoid defenders in the open field created the Pioneers dominant half.
“Everyone was blocking today so it was easier to get through or run around people,” said McNulty. “All I had to do was get by one guy and then I was gone. In the second half I don’t know why I didn’t get the football more. I think I could have scored again and we would win the game. I wanted to run the ball again. I should have gotten the ball more. The linemen really did great, they were blocking really good, they help me get outside too. I like going outside instead of inside because all I have to do is juke one guy and then I am gone. We will win if we don’t take any plays off. We also did over-run guys, so they got around us.”
Defensively, the Pioneers had several players contributing throughout the game. A “get to the ball quick” ability held the Jr. Warriors in check for most of the game. Several players came away with stops which was impressive to watch.
One that stood out was Dominic Dronzek. The two way player contributed throughout the game, first from his center position with his blocks while defensively, he not only made stops but also assisted on many. .
“I like playing defense because I like to tackle,” said Dominic. “We need to work on our snapping the football. It’s not our quarterback, it’s me that is not doing it good. I don’t know why. I guess I just have to work more at that. On defense, I was trying to get a tackle when I saw where the ball was going. I think I can get off the ball better but I tackle pretty good. I wrap and then roll to make the tackle, I dont think i need to do anything else better. We should have won the game but we didn’t.
Another among the talented defense in this game was Michael Maurella. He isn’t a big player but plays like one. He made sure his 99 jersey was on the bottom of a pile several times after making a tackle. He also had a knack for getting to the ball quickly.
“I felt each time they tried to run the ball I could get to the runner,” said Maurella. “I was making a lot of tackles at the line because I play linebacker so I would see the ball and go make the tackle. I think if our line can shed the blocks better, we can do more tackles and stop them. I think our line played pretty good today on offense and defense. I am happy how we played but sad that we ended up losing by a point.”
Fifth Quarter action also the Pioneers play hard. Among those providing positive play were Kenan Ballouta, Karter Pipkin, Nicholas Smurzynski, Jibreel Morrar and Benjamin Ally.
The Super Lightweight Pioneers Cheerleaders were also an active group at the game. One pixie-size Pioneer Cheerleader who really appeared to enjoy being around the other cheerleaders and having fun performing was 6-year old’ Gabriella Rysiewicz. She was typical of the talent among the squad.
“To be lifted up is fun,” said Gabriela. “I like being around some of my friends when I cheer. I have a lot of fun doing it, I like it all. I am very loud when I cheer too. I don’t think I have anything I have to do better in cheerleading, I just like it.”
The Pioneers also saw several other players performing at a winning level. They include Jack Bertucci, Stanley Bielawski, Jax Thomas, Logan Biskup. Lakye Peniche, Ben Poore, Ryker Tyrakowski, John Ordman, Anthony Comiskey, Kirk Valach, Lachlan Glassner, Liam Serafin, Mahmoud Hinnawi, Hudson Glassner, Oliver Skwara, Jamal Jebreal, Shane McDermott and Abdallah Hasan.
Other Super Lightweight Pioneers Cheerleaders showcasing ther skills along the sidelines and entertaining the fans at halftime, included Maeve Zelenzek, Morgan Griffin, Emma Grambozov, Olivia Raggio, Addison Theres, Lanie Hermann, Molly LaPapa, Teagan Paluch, Gianna Cruz, Alannah Rossi, Nella Leithleiter, Lydia Babarskis, Kelsey O’Sullivan, Everly Wagner, Madelyn Heidemann, Maura Flanagan, Kaelyn Flanagan, Mila Nikolic, Mia Morandi, Desiree Wilkie, Emery Christensen, Emma Podoreski, Sarah Petraitis, Gabriela Rysiewicz and Maice Hinnawi.
