By Patrick Z. McGavin-Photis by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p892976826 **
In recalling the most beautiful and memorable moments of their season, the Orland Park Pioneers are never going to forget the closing seconds here against the Homer Stallions.
Likewise, the play known colloquially as the “old reliable,” is oing to have lasting meaning and significance.
“I knew the kid on the outside was not going to be fast enough to catch me,” Vinnie Annel said.
Annel caught a four-yard touchdown pass off a roll out from quarterback Jack Bullington with 28.2 seconds remaining for the riveting 6-0 victory in a River Valley Youth Football League game at Killmer Field on Saturday, September 23.
The 13-play, 73-yard drive that began with 6:07 remaining showcased the resourcefulness, versatility, depth and command of the Varsity.
Pressed into play running back after standout Mason Marable suffered a leg injury in the first half, Joshua McNeil stepped up with two huge runs.
He blasted up the middle for 14 yards. On the next carry, he took a massive hit in gaining four additional yards.
“These guys are my people, and I am really thankful for everybody who gave support,” McNeil said.
After the second carry, he lay agonized on the ground, believing the worst.
“I got nervous, or scared, and I just felt my knee go bad, and somebody said it’s probably an ACL,” he said.
“I thought I broke my leg or something, because I couldn’t feel it. I was so happy I was able to get up and play again.”
On a drive where every yard mattered, McNeil was not going to be denied.
Samuel Basiorka also had a huge eight-yard run. He nearly lost the ball though recovered his own fumble on the previous play.
He also made some big stops on defense.
“That gave me a lot of confidence,” Basiorka said. “I feel like the better I do on defense, it makes me play better on both sides of the ball.
“My dad pushed me to do my best ever, and I felt like I did that today. I was very excited that I was able to get in and step up.”
Dominic Gigliotti, one of the top defenders, was also forced out of the game during the third quarter with a neck injury.
The Pioneers regrouped, stood together, and simply refused to yield.
“The whole time in the huddle we just said never give up and just keep pushing,” Annel said.
“We had a couple of guys who were down, or injured, and we wanted to do it for them.”
With Marable out, the value of Annel increased exponentially. He made the three big plays that set up the winning score.
He caught an 11-yard swing pass from Bullington and later broke through for six yards on a third down conversion.
The play of the game was him running a deep route that ended up with a 19-yard reception that put the ball on the four-yard line with just over 30 seconds to play.
Bullington spiked the ball to set up the game-winner.
“I was running a go, and I saw the ball go in the air and I turned back and went for it,” Annel said.
A virtually identical play during the first half ended with the ball getting deflected at the goal line by the Stallions’ defensive back.
Not this time.
“I knew Vinnie was going to beat him. He’s a playmaker, and I just trusted him, so I threw it up,” Bullington said.
“It was a great ball.”
Annel put the finishing touches on the victory by batting down the Stallions’ desperation halfback option pass on fourth down with three seconds to play
As dramatic and meaningful as the scoring drive was, the play of the defense ultimately decided the game.
The Stallions started three second half possessions deep in Pioneers’ territory, including twice inside the 20-yard line.
With the defensive line of Adam Danko, Keegan Kirk and Stephen Caxton-Idowu creating the upfront pressure, McNeil, Annel, Ayden Toth, Rocco McCarthy and Kyree Gills repeatedly made plays at the point of attack.
Their aggressive play also created havoc and disruption against the Stallions’ attack.
Homer committed repeated penalties, including a holding call that nullified a touchdown run.
“We knew it was a big game,” Danko said. “We pulled it off, playing together and believing in ourselves.”
The defense just created a wave of optimism for the offense to carry through.
“After those big defensive stops, we knew we had nothing to be scared of. We knew we were going to win,” McNeil said.
Mohammad Ghadban, Basiorka and Will Beeler also made tremendous contributions to the shutout.
“A big part of the victory today had to do with our backups always being ready, and always being ready to come into the game,” Annel said.
With the offense stymied by penalties or turnovers, the defense made the late creativity and drive of the offense possible.
“This game just showed that the defense has our back, and the defense wins championships,” Bullington said.
“Today felt like we got over a hump.”
During the Fifth Quarter, quarterback Thomas Elliott scored on a keeper, set up by a 42-yard run by Logan Kondziolka.
The Orland Park Pioneers’ Varsity also received strong play and enthusiastic contributions from Ayden Murphy, Taylor McDoniel, Ethan Vinson, Adrian Maldonado, Cash Phillips, Christian Czerwonka, Ryan Almasri, Athanasios Gatses, Eli Citlali, Adam Hoak, John Murray, Casper Piskurewicz, Mark Grech-Lisula, Nathan Owei, Yasin Shafik, Rami Agha, Andrew Wojtanowicz, Nimer Alamawi, David Klimaszka, Raymond Arredondo, Dominic Rizza, Blake Wagner, Connor Ward, Ibrahim Jaffal, Mostafa Mostafa, Nick Shamma, and Brady Straka.
The cheerleaders also brought a great passion and lyrical precision to their routines and choreographed movements. They included Alyssa Abed, Tahani Alzamareeh, Madeleine Carrier, Lily Carroll, Sophia Gasior, Erica Gonsowski, Natalie Gruszka, Lily Jacquez, Layla Jeffries, Emilia Kos, Madalyn Marable, Ghazal Masadmasad, Lily Masino, Hailey McDonald, Liliana Minard, Rain Murphy, Avery Nugent, Maeve O’Connor, Paige Pomonis, Arianna Ramadani, Taylor Ruisz, Fiona Sejud, Jordyn Shamma, Kiera Ulaszek, Summer Vahl, Lila Vitale, Kylee Votteler, Klaudia Willis and Anna Woloszy.
Throughout the game, the Varsity Pioneers Cheerleaders demonstrated their skills and agility. They give their all at each performance and game, warranting every accolade that comes their way.