By Ed Muniz-Photos by Kathy Jones
**Additional Photos are available for purchase at justallsports.zenfolio.com/2022pioneers.**
The Orland Park Pioneers were welcomed in week three of the River Valley Youth Football League schedule with a deluge from Mother Nature.
On their docket were games in two locations, a game at St. Rita and a pair at Brother Rice HS.
Staying dry during the downpour were the Lightweight Pioneers as they were in their bye week, but for everyone else, they’d have to deal with the elements and their opponent.
Jump-starting the gloomy day were the Super Lightweight Pioneers. Taking on the Mt. Greenwood Colts, the Pioneers looked to continue their winning ways.
On the season, this level of Pioneers has yet to lose in the RVYFL or the WNFL. They’ve used big runs and stout defense to maintain a perfect season and continued to do so again despite Mother Natures’ wrath, outscoring the host Colts 14-0 for the win.
Running back Michael O’Connor has upped his game from last year. His speed and ability to create space during runs has brought plenty of success to this Pioneer team.
“This year I’m scoring a lot and having a lot more fun,” said the Pioneer star. “I like running the ball, but I do pretty good on defense. I think we can win a championship because my team is good. Im going to try harder every game.”
On the first series the Pioneers scored twice. A Long touchdown run by Jase Enstrom was called back due to a penalty. O’Cnoor followed that with a 17-yard burst and two plays later streaked 27 yards for the Pioneers first score. He also added the point-after for a quick 7-0 lead.
You knew the Colts were in for a long day. Not only did they struggle to hold the ball with the constant rain, but also had a difficult time handling Pioneer lineman Cole Baldridge.
Baldrige was a constant cuss to the Colts offense throughout the game.
After stops by Baldridge, Lucca Morandi and a 6-yard tackle for loss by Owen Garrity, the Colts punted to end the first quarter.
The rain was a pestilence to both teams during the second quarter with little each team could do offensively.
O’Connor and company found the running harder, as did the Colts offense who were under constant pressure from the Pioneers led by Baldridge, Owen Garrity, Blake Schuler, Erwin Carter and Frank Wilkinson.
The first half concluded with the Pioneers maintaining a 7-0 lead.
Defenses were clearly holding the advantage beginning the second half play. Again, both offenses struggled much started. O’Connor did break free for 25-yards but that drive stalled and saw the pioneers turn over on downs.
The Pioneer defense was still stellar. Wilkinson was making tackles for losses, Baldrige and Enstrom grabbed tackles, thus limiting anything the Colts tried.
Owen Garrity, Morandi and Wilkinson made short work of the Colts fourth quarter series, forcing another punt back to the Pioneer offense.
O’Connor started things off with a quick run of 10-yards. That was next followed by Carter who took the handoff from Pioneer Quarterback Luke Krokos. He hit the line looking for a hole then bounced out left and raced untouched 22-yards for the touchdown. O’Connor added the extra-point, and the Pioneer lead was doubled at 14-0.
With just under six minutes left in the game, Baldridge added some finishing touches. After a stop for no gain, Baldridge bang the next Colts’ Ball carrier and created ad recovered the fumble.
“I’m making more tackles this year so its easier for me,” said Baldridge. “I just watch the ball and try to get to the ball. I think we did pretty good but next game we have to watch the ball better and not go offsides like we did today.”
The Pioneers maintained the football the rest of the game to notch their second win and remain unbeaten.
“The Defense played well, we were still able to move the ball some after jumping out to a one touchdown lead in terrible weather,” said Coach Al Krokos.
“We need a little more discipline for us, both offense and defense we made some penalties we need to clean up so we can play like we know we can. They’re all coming along pretty fast; we have a lot of 8-year-olds so that helps. As well as our blocking has been, sometimes we miss the blocking assignments, so we have to get that corrected, but we’re getting there, this is a great group.”
O’Connor was brilliant on the run. He is an elusive running pigskin and makes guys miss or slip off, thiow in his spin moves and he makes a tough target to bring down.
Fifth Quarter saw both teams add a touchdown each. The Pioneers used a stealthy defense and a discipline offense that took big steps towards improvement.
Quarterback Jason Erwin directed the offense effortlessly. He knew the plays and in charge of the offensive success. The play by offensive linemen Cody Godlewski, Laith Hammami, Arthur Slabenak and Ellis Hubbard made running the ball easier for the Pioneer backfield.
Center Rayder Slabenak was dominant up front. After snapping the ball, he’d get into his blocking assignment or quickly scanned who to pick up.
“I think I snap the ball pretty good, and I think I can do blocking for our team pretty good. I have fun playing on this team so I’m going to keep doing it,” said the Rayder.
Gavin Garrity was a star on the Fifth quarter defense. He seemed to be around the ball constantly and even forced a fumble and recovered it, poking the ball free from the Colt’s runner.
“I was just getting to the ball and running with the ball,” said Gavin. “I like playing offense because I can score touchdowns, but I like tackling too.”
Adding a lot to the Pioneers success in this Fifth Quarter game were Thomas Sutter 16-yard burst, Taylan Morandi scoring a 6-yard touchdown run and Nolan Burke’s 22-yard run.
Defensively, the Pioneers had strong tackling efforts from Michael Ordman, Yousef Yasin, Austin Flynn, Jason Erwin, Laith Hammami, Ellis Hubbard with a sack for loss and a fumble recovery for Cayden Caldwell.
Others giving their all in the games were Jack Dubois, Zane Judeh, Zach Ballouta, Vinnie Spizzirri, Wyatt Kipper, Noah Cordoba, Chris Medina Jr., Shane Sternberg, Andrew Richardson, Jordan Ulaszek, Anthony LaPapa, Christian Paulson, Scott Gumienny, Nick Pomonis, James Okrasinski, Aaron McCarthy, Thomas Richardson, Nathan Campos, Jude Morrar, Maximus Bauer and Adam Krokos.
Cheering on during the rain were the Super Lightweight Pioneer Cheerleaders. 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 gave their all, in miserable conditions.
