By Bobby Narang
Additional Photos are Available at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p828584775 **
GILBERTS— The 6U Algonquin Argonauts learned the value of patience on Saturday afternoon.
Through the first two-plus quarters of Saturday’s home game against the Tri-Cities Wolverines, the Argonauts struggled to do anything positive.
Offensively, the Argonautsracked up negative yardage plays in bulk. The first possession ended with four straight mishaps. The second possession was three consecutive negative yardage plays.
Meanwhile, the visitors had a steady diet of big plays, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives to gain control of the early morning game.
Tri-Cities was steady and strong throughout the four quarters, scoring a touchdown in each quarter to record a 28-0 victory over Algonquin.
“We are really trying to focus on our line blocking,” Algonquin 6U coach Tyler Wigger said. “We have some gaps we have to overcome. We have a small group of players, so we are really working on endurance and making sure we know how important it is to block for the quarterback. In practices, we work on endurance work and kick it in gear with sprints and different defenses and offenses. We have tough games in practice to get the most out of the kids, even when they are tired.”
Even still, the Argonauts (0-4) flashed a few minutes of positive plays to give their fans plenty to cheer about and smile for the game.
On their first second-half drive, the Argonauts finally pieced together some positive yard plays. After the first play of the possession resulted in negative yards, Graham Dzieman showed off his power and speed with a 13-yard first-down run. He darted to his right and sped along the sidelines before getting tacked, leading to an uproar of cheers by the fans of the home team.
“I almost scored, so that made me happy,” Dzieman said. “I also liked playing defense and tackling.”
Beckett Benacka came up with on the next play, using a hesitant move in the middle of an 11-yard run to move the chains for the second first down of the game for the Argonauts. Benacka broke to his left, then turned on the afterburners for the second consecutive highlight play of the game for the home team.
“It was a fun game,” Benacka said. “I loved tackling and running the ball today.”
Dzieman got into the act again, darting left to right for an 11-yard gain for the third straight first down play for the suddenly revitalized Argonauts’ offense. The Wolverines’ defense buckled down to stop the home team for a minus-five yard gain on the following play, but Cash McShane brought the Argonaunts’ fans back to their feet on the next play.
McShane took a delayed handoff on a slow developing play, busting loose for a 30-yard rumble late in the third quarter.
“I really liked tackling and running the ball,” McShane said. “I liked almost getting a touchdown. We had a very good and long drive. We almost scored. It was a good game.”
After four first-down plays on the drive, the Argonauts couldn’t keep the momentum. They had four straight negative yard plays to end their possession on downs deep in Wolverines’ territory.
Still, the 11-play drive managed to eat up the clock and helped build morale for the Argonauts.
“I was really happy with the drive,” Coach Wigger said. “The ability they showed to bring it together and move the ball was impressive. They showed up despite so many injuries. They really wanted it and did well on that drive. Everyone put in a really good effort.”
Now down 28-0, the Argonauts still have some life left in them. McShane had a stellar 15-yard run in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Benacka had another big play with a 21-yard burst around left end. McShane closed out the game with two straight runs, combining for seven yards.
August Wigger was a solid player on defense for the Argonauts, running all over the field to stop the visiting team from adding more points.
“I ran really hard and was able to get a few tackles,” Wigger said. “I tackled on one play really hard.”
The 6U Argonauts also received contributions from Connor Wuilleumier, Luca Norton, Noah Carroll, Logan Mitchell, Raymond DeCoste and Hunter Dearing.
