Varsity Pioneers Dominate Golden Eagles 32-6 in Channahon

By Patrick Z McGavin- Photos by Renee Kaspar

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CHANNAHON— The Orland Park Pioneers Varsity squad had some very intriguing components of promise and possibility that suddenly took on a different level.

Several key additions of players who decided they wanted to be part of the culture have added to the existing ecosystem of talent and experience.

In a game shaped by chemistry and team cohesion, adding singular talent is another way to step above the fray.

“I played last year on a team that wasn’t as good,” Jake Marzullo said. “Now I have a lot more fun with better coaches, and better teammates and we can have more success.

“I love the guys here. I’m already good friends with a lot of them.”

The combination of the familiar and experienced marked by the surge of new talent showed off in spectacular fashion.

Charlie Enstrom threw three touchdown passes and a dominant defense created the 32-6 victory over St. Ann in the season-opening game of the River Valley Youth Football league here on Sunday, August 17.

“It was great that we started the season on a high note, and we showed different ways of scoring today,” Enstrom said. “For me personally, I was very excited to start my first varsity game.

“Some kids grow a bunch from one year to the next, and it’s more physical and crazy as you move up in programs. You have to adjust, and figure out how to win.”

The Pioneers dominated every facet of the game—offense, defense, kicking and the return game.

After a month of practice, the team was dialed in and ready to go.

Ben Snider returned the opening kickoff 51 yards that put the ball at the Golden Eagles’ 23-yard line. His 15-yard run set up the first score of the season, his own five-yard burst around the left edge.

The team could not have scripted a better opening.

“On the kickoff the ball came to me, and I just thought I had to do something and find space,” Snider said. “It was great to score that fast, and put the game away early.

“It’s definitely an adjustment to this level. The guys are a lot bigger, and you have to take the hits. I’m looking forward to the season.”

Yousif Dahdal was 4-for-4 on two-point conversion kicks. Despite a 15-yard penalty following the Snider touchdown, he drilled his first attempt.

Even the occasional misstep was immediately corrected. On the Pioneers’ second possession, Logan Helman got free deep only to drop an apparent touchdown pass.

Helman quickly redeemed himself.

On the ensuing play, he split two defenders for a superb catch and used his body to ward off the two tacklers for the 30-yard touchdown pass with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter.

Practice makes perfect.

“The first pass was pretty easy, and I don’t know how I dropped it,” Helman said. “Then on the second play, I got it right back and made up for the mistake.

“The past couple of years we were pretty small and going up against bigger teams. This is definitely the biggest and strongest team I’ve been on. We’ve been working on everything leading up to this first game.”

The only first down St. Ann managed in the first half against the Pioneers’ first team defense came off a penalty. Qais Naser, Syncere Prehson, Michael Sraga and Ahmed Ali dominated the interior.

The Golden Eagles never had space to operate. The quarterback was under constant siege, and the running backs were frequently hit just as they touched the ball.

St. Ann only had two positive plays from scrimmage in the first half.

The cause for the optimism rested in the key new additions, on both sides of the ball. Marzullo, David Burgert and Sean Buer came over from the Southwest Midget League. 

Coming off the edge, Marzullo showed tremendous defensive instincts as a hitter who blew up plays. He had four tackles in the first half.

“I like being physical,” he said. “That’s part of my game, and my style of how I like to play. You just have to be smart about it, and be aggressive.”

Buer had a crucial 13-yard reception on the Pioneers’ four touchdown drive, and added a second half interception.

A fast and agile running back, Burgert revealed a new dimension to the running game. The first time he carried the ball, on the Pioneers’ third drive, he ripped off a 42-yard run.

The play was reduced to a 27-yard net gain due to a penalty. The point was made. 

His speed and acceleration is next level. After an illegal formation nullified a touchdown on a screen to running back Enzo Angone, Burgert was unfazed and created the third scoring drive.

He ripped off runs of 10 and 20 yards that set up a one-yard touchdown pass from Enstrom to Angone.

“It’s about making the right decisions and having the right mind there,” Burgert said. “You have to cut back and know where to go, and just look for the right read or blocks and keep up your speed.”

The transfer of Burgert, Marzullo and Buer is a win-win. The Pioneers have an injection of talent and high-end depth. The newcomers are put into a fresh and exciting environment that spotlights their talent.

“Last year we played with a different program,” Burgert said. “We saw the Pioneers as a much better organization, better teammates, and more talented players around us.

“With Jake and Sean, it was good to know other players after changing teams, because I didn’t really know anybody. It was hard to talk with people.”

Ali is the most remarkable story. He has elite size, power and force as an interior lineman. The game against St. Ann was his first game ever, in any format—flag or tackle.

“I don’t think he ever even watched a game before,” coach Andy Rybak said.

Ali manhandled the St. Ann interior blockers and had five tackles. He posted three tackles for loss. The connection of Ryan Duckhorn and his father, John Duckhorn, the offensive coordinator, was a crucial connection.

“I was playing basketball, and Ryan Duckhorn is my teammate and one of my best friends,” Ali said. “Coach Duckhorn was at one of our games, and he came down and talked to me and asked me about joining the Pioneers.

“I thought it was an interesting idea, especially if I had a chance to play. I like the energy and I like to be active out there. Somebody with my size. I should be able to take on two guys at one time. That’s what I did.”

Luke Rybak, Aidan Rios, Sraga and Naser maintained the Pioneers’ defensive dominance in the second half.

Drake Ulaszek closed out the scoring with a fantastic catch in traffic. After a 21-yard run by Snider, he knifed between two defensive backs for a contested 13-yard scoring pass from Enstrom.

Ulaszek caught the ball over the middle at the three-yard line, and drove through the two defenders for the final touchdown.

“We ran the ball well, and we passed the ball and we scored a lot of touchdowns,” Enstrom said.

The Orland Park Pioneers’ Varsity team had many key contributors in the dominant 32-6 victory at St. Ann Sunday. They included Riley Atzman, Brock Lenzen, Gavin Loman, Dylan Butler, Cade McNulty, Liam West, Evan Lavelle, Justin McNamara, Finn Redmond, John Werner, Gage Cucci, Adam Naser, Maverick Vander Veer, Benjamin Schwarz, Malcolm McGonegal, Michael Sraga, Mohammad Abedalrahman, Gianluca Arceo, Brandon Castillo, Diego Aguilar, Steven Mullins, Michael Stefancic, Nicholas Hertzog, Camden Czarnecki, Julian Trevino, Ryan Pempek, Erik Baran, and Brian Curran.

The Varsity Cheer squad also showed off their beautiful routines and enthusiastic support in the victory. Their members are Oliwia Burda, Aviana Briseno, Aubrey Baran, Brooklyn Richardson, Hailey McDonald, Keira Barrera, Ava Mendoza, Kaelyn Albright, Jordyn Shamma, Brittney Blazys, Brooke Blazys, Gia Parisi, Avery Nugent, Arianna Ramadani, Layla Jeffries, Giulia Cangelosi, Madalyn Marable, Flora Lane, Sofia Castillo, Julia Stekala, Violet Fino, Riley Meekma, Serena Murray and Sofia Murray.