One of the go-to actions of the Orland Park Pioneers Varsity is called the 31 trap.
Quarterback Steven Armbruster is the maestro who weaves together the dazzling parts. Damon (Skinny) Sutton turns the play into an art form.
Sutton lines up behind Armbruster in the formation, who signals the other running back, Quinn Durkin, to go into motion. The early movement takes the linebacker out of the equation. Sutton does the rest.
Sutton ran the play to perfection with a 61-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.
“It helped all of us get motivated,” Sutton said.
Damon “Skinny” Sutton (21) busts off a huge touchdown run against the Falcons to open the Pioneers scoring in their semi-final playoff game on October 31 in New Lenox.
Sutton scored two rushing touchdowns and created two turnovers in the Pioneers Varsity commanding 28-16 win over the Frankfort Falcons in a River Valley Youth Football League playoff semifinal Sunday, October 31 at Homewood-Flossmoor.
“On the first play of the game, we were just ready,” Armbruster said. “We came out, and we were just more ready than they were.”
The Pioneers Varsity advances to the Super Bowl on Sunday, November 7 at St. Xavier.
Sutton had the two great mirror actions of the game, underscoring the nearly note perfect opening half that saw the Pioneers run out to a stunning 28-0 lead.
The Falcons were dazed, the equivalent of taking an uppercut to the jaw. They were woozy and out of balance.
Pioneers’ workhorse runningback Luke Basiorka (22) runs up field during the RVYFL semi-final playoff game against the Frankfort Falcons on October 31 in New Lenox.
“We thought the Falcons were good,” Sutton said. “But we showed a lot of heart.”
Sutton had one of his signature two-way performances. He rushed for 133 yards on 12 carries and the two touchdowns. He also had four tackles, a strip that produced a fumble and an interception return that topped them all.
The other significant news for the Pioneers is the return of all-purpose Durkin, the team’s most versatile and gifted all-around player. He has the speed to be a playmaker and the poise and awareness to change the game with his defensive instincts and prowess.
The Pioneers went through a bit of a downturn, losing two straight during the middle of the season, after Durkin was gone for five games.
“I’m glad to be back,” he said. “We knew we were better than them, and we just took it to them and gave it our all. We were high, and they were just low.”
Pioneers’ runningback Quinn Durkin jogs into the endzone for the touchdown against Frankfort during their semi-final playoff game on October 31 in New Lenox.
Fittingly, Durkin and Sutton collaborated on the first tackle with the Pioneers playing defense. It was another signal of things to come.
The Pioneers were faster, more alert and just tuned into the rhythms of the game.
Frankfort never truly had a chance.
The defense could play easy and free, knowing they were playing with a lead just 25 seconds into the game.
“It gives us a little more leeway on defense,” Armbruster said. “Even if they score, we know we are better than them.”
Pioneers field general’ Steven Armbruster watches his teammate in motion prior to the snap, during their semi-final playoff game on October 31 in New Lenox.
The Pioneers do a great deal more than just talk a game. They back it up. After forcing a quick change of possessions, Armbruster and his band of elite runners maintained the torrid start.
If the first drive was a lightning flash, the second possession was cool, fearless and complete.
Armbruster engineered a nine-play, 76-yard scoring drive. He brilliantly mixed the different running styles, exploiting Sutton’s ability to slice through the middle or get to the edge with the bruising style of Durkin or the open manner of Luke Basiorka.
After Sutton gashed the interior, Durkin flashed his speed to get outside. He took the jet sweep and broke around the right end untouched for the 29-yard touchdown run. Anthony Edelen converted his second two-point kick for the 16-0 margin.
As good as the offense was at the start, both explosive and highly efficient, the defense was the equal.
Two-way player Josiah Sutton (53) powers past his Falcon opponent during their semi-final playoff game on October 31 in New Lenox.
Frankfort has some very good playmakers of its own. They were throttled by Emmitt Snyder. He finished with six tackles and a sack.
“You have to make those tackles because that’s what pushes you forward,” Snyder said. “Whenever we had the big plays, it was just electric.”
Just as the Falcons appeared to show some offensive signs near the end of the first quarter, Sutton delivered the hammer blow.
He delivered a bone-branching hit that separated the ball from the Falcons’ running back. Defensive back Nicholas Collias made the recovery.
A Basiorka 10-yard run sustained the heady start. With his only pass attempt of the first half, Armbruster hooked up with his favorite receiver, Jeff Bellik on a beautiful 25-yard connection. From there Sutton made the score 22-0 with his 8-yard burst to the end zone.
Veteran Pioneers playmaker’ Jeff Bellik takes in the game action during the Pioneers 28-16 semi-final victory over the Frankfort Falcons on October 31 in New Lenox.
“When you have momentum like that, it’s hard not to win,” Snyder said. “We have big players making big plays, and that dries us forward.”
Skinny Sutton’s twin brother, Josiah Sutton, was a stone wall on the defensive line. He shut down running lanes, and made sure the Falcons had little room to maneuver.
“Our defensive line was putting a lot of pressure on them, and they couldn’t really get anything off the ball,” Durkin said.
The Falcons mounted their best scoring threat of the first half at the end of the second quarter.
Armbruster and Skinny Sutton demolished any hope of a comeback.
Underrated Pioneers’ defensive end Ugnius Zaukas (89) tries to block the Falcons’ pass during their semi-final game on Halloween in New Lenox.
On second and goal from the 4-yard line, Armbruster tipped a pass that Sutton caught in the shadow of the left edge of the end zone.
The 61-yard touchdown run to start the game was a moment of raw beauty. What he did next was pure lyricism.
Skinny Sutton intercepted the ball and jutted left into the open space. He shook off one final tackler for the amazing 102-yard interception return touchdown.
“I was waiting for Steven to tip the ball, and then I saw a lane right there and I just went,” Skinny said.
Durkin finished with 50 yards on five carries. Armbruster had the one pass completion for 25 yards.
In 20 minutes of game time, the Orland Park Pioneers played a flawless game.
Emmit Snyder (9) has a secure grip on the Falcon runner an gets assists in the tackle from several teammates during their semi-final playoff win on October 31.
The second half was played with a running clock, and the Pioneers cycled in all of their players. The Falcons scored a couple of long touchdown runs, mostly against the Pioneers’ back ups.
Durkin had a big 14-yard gain on third down that effectively killed the clock and pushed the Pioneers back to the Super Bowl.
Their time is now.
“The best way to put it is that it is very exciting,” Snyder said. “This is our big moment, and we are going to show up.”
In the Fifth Quarter, Collias had a couple of excellent moments throwing the football as the reserve quarterback. Anthony Lipski ran for two touchdowns.
Kendall McDowell and Beck Stukel had some excellent moments playing receiver.
Pioneers’ Anthony Lipski (19) eludes the attempted grasp of the Falcons defender during one of his rushes on October 31 in New Lenox.
Pioneers Henry Selof (2) breaks up an intended Falcon throw, denying the reception on October 31 in New Lenox.
Having an excellent Fifth Quarter, Pioneers’ Kendall McDowell lines up wide and awaits the snap against the Frankfort Falcons on October 31 in New Lenox.
The Orland Park Pioneers Varsity team had many key contributors and standout actions in the 28-16 semifinal victory. The rest of the players who took part were Henry Selof, Victorugo Jimenez, Edon Ibrahimi, Adam Woloszyk, Jaylen Sutton, Nico Vazzana, Chase Czerwonka, Connor Dardugno, Ethan Krueger, Briggs Corona, Keith McNamara, Anthony Garcia, Jack Clifton, Will Beeler, Aidan Bear, CJ Ruiz, Nick McGriff, Cade Koehler, Waleed Alforookh, William Slechta, Jax Arocho, Connor Ruisz, Ugnius Zaukas, Ilija Erkapic and Jordan Jones
In addition to the players, the cheerleaders brought tremendous passion and excitement to their routines. The performers included Abby Dokey, Ella Groark, Tayla Lovitt, Chloe Havens, Audrey Mitchell, Ava Brennan, Emery Gasa, Julia Werner, Brianna Merced, Mia Franzese, Bella Senese, Ava Bernardi, Emma Kusper, Addy Moran, KK Ponce, Sydney Czerniuk, Addison Mackey, Emma Neakarse, Avery Lee, Ayva Tupacev and Layla Egebrecht
Performaing a lift, the Varsity Pioneers Cheerleders entertain the fans during the Pioneers semi-final game in New Lenox on October 31.
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