By Bobby Narang- Photos by Renee Kaspar
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p700876556 **
ORLAND PARK— Nearly everything went sour for the Orland Park Pioneers Super Lightweight football team on Sunday afternoon.
Well, at least the weather was sunny and warm for the spectators at Mike Navarro Stadium for the first of three games. The Pioneers have produced some big wins, stunning highlights and took several steps forward – as a team and individuals – this season.
But Sunday was a different story.
The Tinley Park Bulldogs dominated in every aspect of the game, recording a 26-0 victory over the Pioneers. The Pioneers’ customary big-play running game, led by Peyton Barbee, was held in check by the Bulldogs’ dominating front seven. Barbee could barely find any holes to spring loose, let alone rely on his amazing speed to extend drives.
The Bulldogs’ offense also kept on moving the chains and producing memorable plays to seize a 20-0 lead. The Pioneers barely moved the ball in the first half but did manage some vital plays in the third quarter much to the happiness of the large crowd.
“We came out flat today,” Orland Pioneers Super Lightweight coach Pat Richardson said. “We didn’t show up to play, which happens with six, seven and eight-year old kids. Tinley is a big and physical team. We didn’t step up to the challenge. We have to get better at blocking and we have to mentally be able to get punched and get right back up and come back stronger. We did a good job on defense. Tinley Park was running it right at us, but we never gave up nor did this stop. Those guys are tough.”
The Pioneers finally had a small glimmer of hope on offense in the fourth quarter, when the defense held tight by several good plays. Barbee saved a touchdown with a tackle early in the fourth quarter. On the same drive, Henry Wade had a stop for a negative gain for the visiting team. Niko Scumaci added a fourth-quarter sack.
Michael Maurella said the entire team has to be focused and stick to the game plan following Sunday’s disappointing showing. But Maurella said he did see several positives in the defeat.
“I felt pretty good how I did,” Maurella said. “I think our defense played great. The defense stopped them pretty good.”
Quarterback Thomas Richardson said that blocking is the key to a strong offensive showing.
“All we needed to do was block better,” Richardson said. “I learned a lot from today’s game. I know we can do better and play stronger as a team.”
The fifth-quarter game opened up Sunday’s long day. The Pioneers had numerous quality moments in the short game, with Vincent LaPapa powering the offense with several eye-popping moves and runs to power the offense. The offensive and defensive lines were also strong all game.
LaPapa said he was happy with his effort.
“I played good in the fifth quarter,” LaPapa said. “I really liked my long run. It made me feel good. The defense has be stronger for us but the team played strong.”
Wren Rucinski said the defense turned in a solid effort.
“Defensively, I did well,” Wren Rucinski said. “I had to run a lot to get that tackle and did it a few times. The defense did really good today.”
Richardson said the fifth-quarter game was one of the highlights of the day.
“Wren Rucinski is turning into a little monster and all over the football field,” Richardson said. “His brother Cade is the same thing. The line did well in the fifth quarter. Cade did well on both lines for us and Max Kalker also did well. Everyone showed a lot of heart in the game.”
The Pioneers had a total team effort all week and during Sunday’s game, getting help from Mahmoud Abu AlShaikh, Stanley Bielawski,, Royal Ward, Jax Thomas, Quinn McCarthy, Logan Biskup, Ryker Tyrakowski, George Buffo, Joey Guest, Nicholas Vuolo, Kitai Hubbard, Suhaib Ballouta, Ethan Brandofino, Noah Hammad, Mahmoud Hinnawi, Sean Johnson, Dominic Dronzek, Abdallah Hasan, Henry Kruse, Shane McDermott and Jibreel Morrar.
The Orland Park cheerleaders showed spirit by pumping up the crowd throughout the hot morning game, with the team consisting of Normandy Golden, Maddie Battaglia, Everleigh Holdsworth, Hazel Nichols, Emersyn Ramirez, Piper Darin, Savannah Molina, Eva Garza-Perez, Olivia Raggio, Morgan Griffin, Nella Leithleiter, Charlotte Koehn, Lanie Hermann, Emmy Burger, Mia Mizera, Meghan Shilney, Lea Barbee, Chloe Fregeau, Haley Erwin, Eva Aubin, Siena Lang, Olivia Peters, Sofie Annerino, Hailey Valan, Jessa Alvarez, Grace Latronica, Ava Kolodziej and Emma Podoreski.
