By Pat McGavin- Photos by Jenn Anne Gledhill
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ORLAND PARK— Every running back dreams of the moment that played out for Rodney Vincent.
He could not have scripted the story with a more dramatic flourish or stirring conclusion. He provided everything necessary, magical and alive.
He has the number of an offensive guard, No. 62. Vincent is not some throwback. He is a legitimate back with breakaway speed.
All he needed was a chance to rev his own particular engine.
“At first, it probably didn’t seem like I’d be able to make that kind of run,” he said. “I knew if I kept getting the ball and having all of those plays, something was going to happen.
“It happened.”
Vincent blasted around the right edge for a 64-yard touchdown run that gave the Pioneers a 6-6 tie against HF United in Wednesday Night Football League action at Schussler Park on September 10.
The only downside was a bobbled snap on the two-point attempt that was blocked, leaving the final state somewhat unresolved.
“A tie is an in-between,” quarterback Vinny Ficaro said. “It’s better than a loss, but it’s not really something we wanted. We didn’t really want that tie, but we’ll take it.”
The tying score by Vincent came with under two minutes to play. One play earlier, Vincent took a seven-yard loss on a blitz.
On the first play of the Fifth Quarter Sunday against Tinley Park in the Homecoming game, Vincent also had a long touchdown run. The rest of the players recognize his value.
“Rodney gets all the credit,” Ficaro said. “He’s super fast, and I’m not sure what we’d do without him.”
The ending had three changes of possession following the Vincent score. The Pioneers forced a quick change of downs. Disaster nearly struck when a long pass play by the Pioneers ended with a fumble.
Defensive back Ryan Kenny stepped up with his second interception on the final play of the game.
The WNFL provides a necessary platform for a lot of players who are eager to show their skills in a competitive environment.
“We have some unique players who don’t start Sunday, but they definitely get in the mix of the second and third-string players,” Ficaro said.
“Everybody gets a chance or an opportunity. I also play defebse, so that helps me a lot going both ways and helping develop my game. Even Sundays I get five plays on defense in the Fifth Quarter.”
Ficaro nearly created some end of the first half magic with a gorgeous bomb to wide receiver John Sutter in the closing seconds.
Sutter had to momentarily pause after catching the pass, and was tackled at the three-yard line as time expired. The 52-yard reception was the second longest from scrimmage.
His father Adam Sutter is the Varsity coach.
“I felt like I was going to score,” John Sutter said. “The second I caught the ball, I was a little gassed and tired. I had to start and stop. Their defensive backs were full sprinting.
“Games like this mean a lot because this is my last year with the Pioneers. Everybody understands the game more, and there’s better competition. It’s not just all about the talent. All and all, it was a good game.”
Players up and down the roster all saw time. The Varsity team is an intriguing mixture of experienced and newcomers eager to make an impression.
One of the Pioneers’ biggest interior linemen, Aleksandar Tosev, was superb, disrupting the HF attack and getting pressure on the quarterback. He had five tackles, including two for losses.
“It was a really good game,” he said. “Our line was really good out there. I’ve been practicing really hard. I played soccer when I was little, and I have the footwork and balance.
“The people that don’t play on Sunday, this is a good way to show what you can do, and try to get more time in those games.”
The WNFL provides an equal playing field. That only helps the process.
“Wednesday night is an opportunity for people who don’t play on Sundays to show themselves, to the league and everybody else,” linebacker Nick Mase said.
“Playing against the other team against guys who also don’t play a lot on Sunday, this is crucial for players who don’t have a lot of opportunities, but have the availability.”
Mase had four tackles. The defense struggled a couple times with containment against the athleticism and speed of HF United.
By and large, the defense was solid and steady.
“We were able to make an impact on the game in a lot of different ways,” Mase said. “We made sure we knew what we were doing. We made sure to put ourselves in good positions out there.
“We looked to make plays and tackles. Our linebackers did a great job of getting into position. We stopped the outside run.”
More importantly, the format of the league allows teams to play through their mistakes. The WNFL games are played with two 25-minute halves. Coaches are only permitted three timeouts per game.
The Pioneers suffered two turnovers late in the second half. Fortunately the Varsity was able to overcome them.
The personable and well-liked Vincent achieved something by his touchdown run the rest of the team was certain to appreciate.
“As soon as I saw all of that open space, I just knew the coaches weren’t going to kill us the next practice,” he said. “If we tied, we’d be all right and it wouldn’t really be a tough practice. It’s just a mentality.
“I knew, if I make this play, it’s going to be a better practice tomorrow.”
With the first-team players dressed and providing support, the Varsity of the Orland Park Pioneers had many key contributors. They were Maximus Streets-Pruitt, Rayan Ghabayen, Hudson Doftert, Louai Suleiman, Zackary Salah, Cade Judeh, Anderson Matthews, Nicholas Peisker, Mohammad Ashkar, Jude Daghlawi, Panos Kyros, Luke Tonra, Nolan Byrne, Dylan Enriquez, Marquise McMorris, Jacob Hyla, Carter Peluso, Leonardo Luciano, Thomas Lynch, Karam Olyyan, Daniel Ramirez, Muhammad Kassem, Aws Khalil, Edward Follis, Gavin Connors, Daniel Malacina, Faris Hussein, Abdelkarem Shuaibi, Julian Mika, Noah Maslowiec, James Okrasinski, Nicholas Hertzog, Dylan Ahmer, Avery Vermilyea, Joseph McCann, Brian Curran and Issam Abulaban.
