By Patrick Z McGavin-Photos by Kathy Jones
**Additional Photos are Available at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p26465579 **
The past is never a complete predictor for the future.
Every year is a prime chance to begin anew, and find new players and uncover next generation talent.
The Varsity program of the Orland Park Pioneers was ready for its own encore. Coming off a perfect run, the team was bound to find somewhat unstable ground.
It took just one play for the Pioneers to realize the past is over, and now the job begins to find talent and players to sustain their rich tradition.
The Mount Greenwood Colts broke free on a 43-yard touchdown run down the right sideline on their first play from scrimmage.
The Pioneers fought valiantly, but that hole marked a deficit the team could never climb out.
Orland Park suffered a season-opening 28-6 loss in a River Youth Football League game at Sandburg High School on Sunday, August 20.
The Pioneers defeated the Colts 43-6 at St. Xavier last November to complete their dominant 13-0 run.
Despite the setback, the team showed encouraging signs—on all levels—especially defensively.
After the stunning early scoring sequence, the defense stepped up, denying the Colts on their two subsequent drives.
A first-year player in the program, linebacker Joshua McNeil showed terrific instincts and ability to read the play.
He blitzed the Colts’ backfield for a nine-yard of their star running back.
“I was able to break through, and get inside and tackle their star player for that big loss,” McNeil said.
“We had some confusion, and we were out of place a couple of times, and we couldn’t go through them. I tried to use that big play to motivate the rest of the team as much as possible.”
Roster churn is inevitable in youth football. Sean Ruisz was the constant for the Pioneers, a big, mobile and gifted quarterback.
With his graduation, Jack Bullington is the heir apparent. After getting his feet wet with the Junior Varsity, he now takes command of the offense.
When he had time to throw, or use his poise to get outside the pocket, he performed well.
Bullington threw a beautiful crossing route to Kyree Gills for a 13-yard gain on the second possession.
“I just think we have to mostly work on our protection and line blocking, because we had plays that were open,” Bullington said.
“We have a bigger line this year, and I thought that was going to help. I think today showed we were not quite ready to play.”
His growth and development is going to be the key to the progress of the team.
“I just want to be able to seize the opportunity and be able to make the best of what happens,” Bullington said.
“I have always tried to make something happen out of nothing, which I tried today. Unfortunately I just didn’t have enough time to do so.”
Bullington demonstrated excellent arm strength, the ability to read and get the ball out quickly, and find his open looks.
“Every day we are getting better with the receivers, like understanding how guys run routes and everything,” he said.
“It’s just a matter of knowing what they are doing and getting the ball to them.”
The Pioneers were also coping with a significant absence on offense. Mason Marable, a gifted, skilled and explosive back who has excelled at every level, was not available.
Orland Park missed his burst, his breakaways capabilities.
Gills and Vincent Annel were the two primary runners. Lanky and explosive, Gills sought to get to the outside, and create damage in space.
“This is my first year on varsity, and it is definitely a big difference, especially with play calling and how fast the game is,” Gills said.
“I was definitely ready to do my pasty. I like running that go routes, and doing the deeper runs so that I can really use my speed and get around guys.”
Annel is crafty and elusive, a sharp and fluid runner who shows an excellent command of the game.
“I think we have to work on our conditioning, and our blocking, but once we get that down, we are going to be okay,” Annel said.
The Pioneers graduated a lot of top-end talent.
The opening game featured mistakes the team could not overcome.
The Colts recovered a mishandled lateral deep in the Pioneers’ territory for their second score.
Down 16-0 to start the second half, Orland Park never achieved the necessary momentum and drive to offset the Colts’ speed, athleticism and big play ability.
Another interception set up a Colts’ final touchdown.
Despite the disappointing start, the Pioneers had bright moments and sharp actions.
Defensive tackle Blake Wagner recovered a fumble. McNeil and Gills showed terrific sideline to sideline burst that enabled them to chase down runners.
The team’s biggest player, defensive lineman Stephen Caxton-Idowu, also showed the ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. Adam Danko was also a disruptive force. Another returning player, defensive back Ayden Toth, showed excellent coverage capabilities.
From the first to last player, the team is built on pride, toughness and solidarity
Even down four touchdowns late in the game, Orland Park refused to give in, despite playing in the punishing heat. The game ended on a bright note with Bullington completing two passes mixed in with some strong runs by Annel.
The Pioneers scored their first touchdown of the season on a seven-yard pass from Bullington to Annel on the right flat.
The team was down though hardly out.
One game does not make a season.
“The Pioneers have gone undefeated for a long time,” Gills said. “This is just our first loss, and teams might be looking down on us.
“We are going to show them that we are ready.”
Some of the secondary and developing players showed out well during the Fifth Quarter that preceded the game.
Fifth Quarter action saw Quarterback Thomas Elliott standout with several strong passes, including a TD pass to Nate Oui. Receiver Logan Kondziolka also had several superb catches.
Despite the opening-season loss, the Varsity also received strong play and enthusiastic contributions from Ayden Murphy, Taylor McDoniel, Ethan Vinson, Adrian Maldonado, Cash Phillips, Samuel Basiorka, Christian Czerwonka, Dominic Gigliotti, Rocco McCarthy, Ryan Almasri, Athanasios Gatses, Eli Citlali, Adam Hoak, John Murray, Casper Piskurewicz, Will Beeler, Mark Grech-Lisula, Mohammad Ghadban, Keegan Kirk, Shafik Yasin, Rami Agha, Andrew Wojtanowicz, Nimer Alamawi, David Klimaszka, Raymond Arredononda, Dominic Rizza, Blake Wagner, Connor Ward, Ibrahim Jaffa, Mostafa Mostafa, Nick Shamma, and Brady Straka.
“Alyssa Abed, Tahani Alzamareeh, Madeleine Carrier, Lily Carroll, Sophia Gasior, Erica Gonsowski, Natalie Gruszka, Lily Jacquez, Layla Jeffries, Emilia Kos, Madalyn Marable, Ghazal Masadmasad, Lily Masino, Hailey McDonald, Liliana Minard, Rain Murphy, Avery Nugent, Maeve O’Connor, Paige Pomonis, Arianna Ramadani, Taylor Ruisz, Fiona Sejud, Jordyn Shamma, Kiera Ulaszek, Summer Vahl, Lila Vitale, Kylee Votteler, Klaudia Willis and Anna Woloszyk
