By Ed Muniz- Photos by Lauren Gray
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FRANKFORT SQUARE— One thing the Varsity Pioneers have shown all 2025 season is depth. Sports teams that have depth tend to be quite successful.
The drop off between starter, backup one and back up two isn’t significant or that noticeable. The talent is deep and can be an advantage that most other teams don’t have.
For Andy Rybak and his Varsity Pioneers, if a starter goes down it’s comforting to know that the next guy up can provide nearly the same skill level the team previously had. A mixture of veterans and new to the team has made this 2025 Pioneers version one of the best, certainly the deepest talent it has had in several years and gives Orland Park a legitmate chance at a possible Varsity title this year.
In Wednesday Night Football League action, the Pioneers made their way to Frankfort Square for a matchup against the Wildcats on September 17. Using a speedy offense and a stout, quick defense, the Pioneers dominated every phase of the game enroute to a 28-7 victory.
Beginning the game with a 30-yard run by David Burgert, the Pioneers set the tone on their very first play. Using the legs of Burgert and and the connection of Ben Schwarz to Gianluca Arceo, the Pioneers struck quickly scoring on Burgert’s 12-yard touchdown run.
Burgert is as slick as they come. He excels because of his vision and shows a mastery of following his blocks, taking his time as he reaches the second level then accelerates quickly to the opening. His patience allows him to produce big runs. On four carries in the Pioneers opening series, he grabbed 57-yards, resulting in a 8-0 lead after Arceo’s conversion-kick.
The depth on offense is easily visible but so is what the Pioneers have defensively. A quick three and out showed that. A pair of tackles by Justin McNamara highlighted the Pioneers first defensive stance.
“I like playing the right end. Knowing I can do my part on the defense and be able to make many plays for my team,” said McNamara. “I feel I need to work harder, get bigger and hit the weight room to become a starter. I feel like some of the guys are stronger than me so my strength is a the main issue for me. I love the way we play together and also how we are able to get the guys that don’t play that much in the game, that’s just a great way we work hard to get those guys in.”
The Pioneers weren’t perfect and showed it two plays laters as a Schwarz pass was intercepted.
The Wildcats held the ball a little longer on thier next possession but the tackling of Schwarz, Burgert and McNamara again forced a Wildcat punt.
Sean Buer streaked for 18-yards on the next play for the Pioneers, two plays later, Burgert again used his elusiveness, hit the far sideline and ran 57-yards for an apparant touchdown only to be called back on a Pioneer penalty.
Burgert got the call again and ran 24-yards, follwed that up with a 28-yard touchdown run down the left sideline, his second of the game, elevating the Pioneers lead to 14-0 nearing halftime.
The Pioneers defense continued making things difficult for the Wildcats as they stymied their offensive efforts, closing out the first half with hard tackle by Brandon Castillo and a fumble recovery by Drake Ulaszek.
The Pioneer lead was cut in half after the Wildcats brole free on a long run that ended in the endzone to start the second half, closing the score to 14-7.
With the Wildcats score, the Pioneers got down to business. Their next series saw them use the skills of Buer and he didnt disappoint, churning up 19-yards on three carries. Quarterback Schwarz also did his thing both running and passing.
The big play of the drive was a pass play that went 25-yards when he connected with the speedy John Werner. Werner is a talented player that gives fits to opponents with his sure hands and his elusiveness after the catch. He will take a short pass and turn it into a big gain often.
“Most of my opponents are bigger than me so I kinda have to work harder,” said Werner. “I like playing receiver, I want the ball more. I feel I can easily score when i’m one on one and the one side is heavily stacked because of who we have out there. I feel I can catch the ball pretty good, maybe better than anyone else. I do work at it a lot. I usually play catch with my dad for about ten minutes but I probably need to work on my speed, I think I can be faster.”
Schwarz cashed in after the Pioneers drove to the Wildcats 7-yard-line, from there, Schwarz called his own number and race into the endzone for the touchdown, increasing the lead to 22-7 after Arceo converted his second kick.
Another Wildcats turnover on the following play gave the ball back to the Pioneers offense. MIchael Stefancic snagged an errant Wildcat pass for the interception.
Making a few switches offensively, the Pioneers went to Drake Ulaszek. Ulaszek return to the backfield brought back memories of his talents shown in previous years rushing the ball. His ability to also block off the ball, get to the second level and seal an edge that allowed big gains for his teammates was noticeable.
“I thought today I did well,” said Ulaszek. ” Defense; I got a couple good tackles and on offense it was nice being back at 2-back again, running the ball.”
“I think over the years, I could have been better especially had I stayed at running-back. I’m just trying to do what I can to help our team win now. I still need to work on my speed and endurance and for sure… catching the ball.”
The Fourth quarter backfield of Ulaszek and Ryan Pempek saw a continued advancement of the football for the Pioneers, culminating in the endzone on Pempek’s 28-yard touchdown run bring the lead to 28-6.
“It was surreal actually getting a touchdown in a real game not just in Fifth Quarter,” said McNamara. “I feel like the positions they have me on are really good and I’m just happy to be part of such a great team; great coaches and teammates. We are a cohesive team and work well together but at times we let down maybe because of fatigue so staying motivated I feel is what we could work at, but besides that, I feel we are doing an aesome job.”
Tackles by Brian Curran, Evan Levelle, Stefancic and a pair by Pempek closed out the Wildcats for the 28-7 victory.
Other Pioneers also contributed in the win with hard play or by support along the sidelines, they included Syncere Preshon, Riley Atzman, Brock Lenzen, Gavin Loman, Dylan Butler, Cade McNulty, Charlie Enstrom, Liam West, Luke Rybak, Ben Snider, Finn Redmond, Jake Marzullo, Logan Helman, Gage Cucci, Adam Naser, Enzo Angone, Maverick Vander Veer, Ryan Duckhorn, Malcolm McGonegal, Michael Sraga, Mohammad Abedalrahman, Aidan Rios, Ahmed Ali, Diego Aguilar, Steven Mullins, Nicholas Hertzog, Camden Czarnecki, Yousif Dahdal, Julian Trevino, Erik Baran, and Qais Naser.
