By Ed Muniz- Photos by Lauren Gray
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ORLAND PARK— Football is a tough game. From the moment you attend the first practice way back in July, to the final whistle of the Championship game, the hours each individual accumulates in preperation for and actual competitions is mind-boggling.
Players test their bodies every week during practices and games. Some make it unscathed through the year if they’re lucky, while some fall victum to injuries. The repeated annual cycle of drilling to perfect the skills needed to just compete is a hardship not just for players but also for coaching staffs.
Emotion also accompanies this sport. The unpredictability of the game, with its highs and lows, creates a thrilling and emotional rollercoaster that not only keeps fans engaged but also gives players a sense of accomplishment and triumph during wins and devestation in losses.
Players invest significant emotional and mental commitment, where setbacks due to injuries or losses are common and can be deeply upsetting, but the triumphs, camaraderie and pride fuel a strong drive to succeed, hence the emotional displays during and after games.
During the WNFL Varsity Championship between the Orland Park Pioneers and the Frankfort Falcons on October 15 in Orland Park, fans witnessed the whole spectrum of emotions from winners and losers of the game.
One sideline was jumping around like a kid on Christmas morning, cheering and celebrating the win, while the other sideline was filled with disappointment and sobbing participants. Both sidelines were overwhelming displays of emotions because the game meant much more to them than fans could understand.
Once the last second expired off the clock, the Falcons had upset the Pioneers, 12-0, Capturing the 2025 WNFL Title.
For many of Andy Rybak’s Pioneers, the loss was a heavy disappointment especially when all season they had played surperb football on both sides of the ball. Offense, defense, each had their stars that made them the top seed entering the playoffs.
Several of those stars allowing the tears to flow heavily were David Bugert, Seaan Buer and Gianluca Arceo. Each was hurting in the loss after each one had had tremendous years including their efforts in the loss.
“I was fumbling some and making mistakes,” said an emotional Burgert. “I wasn’t playing my best game, I wasn’t fully there. The little mistakes really hurt us. I started getting in my head a lot and it affected our normal game. I’m going to work to get better. We always have room to improve especially after a game we should have won. We played and fought but it just didn’t happen. We still have a long way to go with Sunday playoffs but this one really hurts.”
Burgert is a blessed player, born with speed and agility. On one particular run, his speed made others look like they were plodding in quicksand, he zoomed by effortlessly and was so eye-opening, he even impressed the officials doing the game. On any run of his, he is capable of scoring. In his case, you’re stating an absolute fact.
The first year Pioneer has been beyomd impressive and has several High School courting his talents. His football furture has no limits, he is that gifted.
Another Pioneer who took the loss quite emotionally was Sean Buer. You saw Buer giving his all on every play. He was non-stop effort until the whistle. For him, it was “All-In”, you could see his want to be a champion and he left it all out on the field . It is why the hurt of the loss wore more heavily on him even while interviewed. He too has been one of the players that has been impressive with his developing skills and progression throughout the season including this evening.
“I tried my best and we couldn’t win,” said a tearful Buer. “I think we could have done better, maybe could have held our blocks longer on offense, I couldn’t do anything about it. I really wanted it bad and why I gave my all playing defense. All I get out of a loss like this is knowing I got to get better every play till the whistle and so do all of us.”
When you want something as much as the Pioneers did, of course a loss is going to hurt a lot. The emotions show your pain but also helps to heal.
Beside Burgert two-way talents and Buers’ defensive abilities. Arceo also had several eyeballs admiring his talents.
The first year player was initially recruited by his basketball coach. What a perfect fit for him and football. His aggressive play and talents on the field throught out the game along with his leadership by example turned out to be a big factor in the Pioneers becoming the top seed at the level.
Arceo is an enegizer bunny with no stop. The never quit style of play he developed throughout the season, now has High School coaches watering at the mouth in pursuit of his discovered skill set. He was a defensive standout for the Pioneers grabbing several tackles in leading the Pioneer stops. Football will surely be part of his future resume.
There were several other players that gave there all.
Quarterback Ben Schwarz had several runs of multiple yards but his passing accuracy was misfiring. Elusive Maverick Vander Veer got the call several times and rushed as best he could but never could brake free and was limited.
John Werner did have a 13-yard reception and played solid defensive from his corner position but was targeted only twice in the seond half. The biggest offensive play for the Pioneers was a 23-yard run where Burget displayed his incredible speed, other than that, the usual big plays that were accustomed to happen at one point of the game by the Pioneers never materialized..
While the offense was sputtering, the Pioneers defense was making stops and limiting the Falcons for the most part. A scoreless first half proved that. Tackles by Arceo, Burgert and Buer shut the Falcons down.
Adjusting to what the Pioneers had done in the first half, the Falcons took the second half kickoff and worked their way to the Pioneers 41. Tackles by Schwarz, Drake Ulaszek, Buer, Burgert, Arceo, and Justin McNamara slowed the Falcons down but not completely.
On the ninth play of the drive, Frankfort found an opening to the right edge and made the most of it, streaking past every Pioneer on the 41-yard touchdown run. Missing the point-after, the Falcons led 6-0 midway through third quarter.
Offensively,the Pioneers just couldn’t get things going. Their offense had the ball only three series in the second half with a max of four plays in each series. Trying to catch up without stringing offensive plays together made things very difficult.
The Pioneers defense continued to do all they could with tackles from Schawarz, Ulaszek, Buer, Burgurt, Arceo, Werner, Diego Aguilar and Evan Lavelle all making stops trying to keep the game at a one score difference.
With one last chance starting at their own 15, The Pioneers offense went to the air and each time Schwarz pass fell Incomplete. Four plays later, the Falcons iced the game late with a short run into the endzone for the 12-0 Championship Victory.
Coach Rybak addressed his team as the visiting Falcons received their Championship Trophy at mid field.
“One Chapter closes the next one opens for you guys,” said Rybak. “I know what you’re feeling right now is hard. We got football ahead of us boys, for all you guys that worked your butts off all year with this group, It’s not over boys. Not only is your season not over, your football careers aren’t over either. From what I saw from the beginning of the year with this group and now, the skys the limit. The growth; the maturity;… this unit I feel could beat half the teams on Sundays. Really good job all season and what a pleasure watching you guys all year long. I’m very proud of you all.”
Other Pioneers giving their all or there in support of the WNFL unit included Syncere Preshon, Riley Atzman, Brock Lenzen, Gavin Loman, Dylan Butler, Cade McNulty, Charlie Enstrom, Liam West, Evan Lavelle, Luke Rybak, Ben Snider, Finn Redmond, Jake Marzullo, Logan Helman, Gage Cucci, Adam Naser, Enzo Angone, Ryan Duckhorn, Malcolm McGonegal, Michael Sraga, Mohammad Abedalrahman, Brandon Castillo, Aidan Rios, Ahmed Ali, Steven Mullins, Michael Stefancic, Nicholas Hertzog, Camden Czarnecki, Yousif Dahdal, Julian Trevino, Ryan Pempek, Erik Baran, Brian Curran and Qais Naser.
