By Ed Muniz- Photos by Lauren Gray
** Additional Photos are Available for Purchase at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p484348354 **
MOKENA— Even for 8-year olds. clogging around in the rain in shoulder pads and helmet with someone pursuing to up-end you isn’t the idea of fun. Yeah, maybe out in the rain splashing around can be fun but for the Argonauts 8U and their opponent’ Jr. Celtics, it was all about getting the job done in conditions that were not to anyones advantage.
The afternoon of September 19 saw a constant down pour in Mokena during the highly anticipated matchup of two teams thought to be the better in the division.
When all said and done, the host Illinois Jr. Celtics used a first quarter scoring barrage to earn a 24-7 victory over the visiting Argos.
“They were the better team out there today, absolutely, but no doubt I’m very proud of our boys today,” said Coach Rickey Silva. “They gave it 100% all game. I agree the game was much closer than the score shows. We played in the rain before, we practiced in the rain, I don’t think that had a huge effect on our play, they were just the better team today.”
“Highlites; I’m very pleased on how our defense shut them down in the second half, it was great. We talked to the kids every game, every practice, that we play four quarters, so they are not gassed out by the end of the game. I was trying to get the refs to give me an extra quarter. Obviously, they can’t do that but that’s how much I know our guys can handle it. Improvements; They are our biggest competitors, We know what we have to improve on to get better after seeing them today so we will be ready next time we see them in the playoffs. I think we match up well with them. No one is standing between us and that rematch, we are looking forward to that.”
With the weather and field condition as they were and changing as more and more rain fell, neither team could possibly be at their peak, Mother Nature wasn’t going to allow that, but both were going to give it their best. Most assuredly, as the game wore on, the enviroment would worsen.
As it turned out, all the scoring in this game would take place in the opening quarter, after that, it was all about the efforts for both.
It took the host just two offensive plays to jump ahead of the Argos, a long run and extra-point conversion saw the Argos trailing 8-0 less than a minute into the game.
It seem to surprise the Argos defense, leaving the Offense with the job of responding.
Going to work, the Argos displayed their rushing attack.
After a run by Declan Druger, a handoff to Leo Miceli saw him zip in and out and streak past the Jr. Celtics defense, going 45-yards for the Argos touchdown. Druger added the point-after that put the game score at 8-7.
The quick response by the Argos certainly surprised the Jr. Celtics but also made them realize of the Argos offensive capabilities. The game was ON in less than ideal conditions.
The game was now about which defense would step up and keep the other offense from scoring again.
The Argos stopped the Jr. Celtics on their first two attempts after the Argos score. Druger and Evan Jessogne made the initial two stops, however, on the ensuing next try, the Jr. Celtics runner found the right edge, breaking tackles, racing 66-yards to up the Jr. Celtocs lead to 16-7.
Again faced with the task of reponding, the Argos offense took to the field. Using the Miceli and Druger, the Argos run- game did managed to pick up a first down to maintain possession but a fumble, followed by a short pass by Cooper Schroeder to Miceli and then a short run by Deandre Johnson Jr. left the Argos with a fourth and three. The Argos would fumble the try and lose the ball on downs, unable to comtinue their drive.
Losing possession didn’t fair well for the Argos. The defense was being constantly tested throughout the opening quarter, giving up big plays on the host initial first two series.
It continued.
With seconds left in the quarter, Druger again gained a tackle but that was quickly followed by another long touchdown run as time expired, ending the first quarter. Again the Jr. Celtics converted the kick-after, extending their lead to 24-7.
With the deficit growing and the weather deteriorating, the Argos were presented with the difficult task of a comeback. They went to work again.
They proceded to go on a 9-play drive with Duger and Miceli alternating carries with each displaying their running styles. Duger is more a contact, power runner while Miceli is excellent at slashing and weaving through gaps.
Unfortunately, the drive stalled at the host 35 where the Argos were forced to turnover the football on downs.
Defense closed out the first half with Argos’ Johnson Jr., and Miceli each making individual stops.
The second half saw each defense hold their own.
For the Argos it was all about not allowing another score or big play. They did just that. A stifling defense saw them shut the Jr. Celtics completely down, even causing a turnover when Druger collected a Jr. Celtics fumble.
Jackson O’Brien, Druger, Johnson Jr., Miceli, Johnathan Rivera Jr., Dylan Tyrrell, Timothy Vasquez, Leonardo Wozniak, Jessogne and Marcelo Servin highlighted the defensive effort the rest of the game.
Another that contributed defensively was Elijah Salas. Although not a huge defender, his size didn’t deter his aggressive play. He showed a knack for being around the ball. Almost gnat like to the Jr. Celtics second half offensive efforts.
“I probably ran to the ball really fast, I think thats what I did pretty good,” said Salas. “I think I can find it pretty good. I also work on tackling, I think I am pretty good. We do angle pursuit in practice, you get out, lower your arms and wrap them around the person to make the tackle. I am happy how I played but the team could run quicker and wrapped better but we did pretty good too.”
Offensively, the Argos just couldn’t out-manuever the weather or the host defenders to add another score. No matter the effort, the field conditions and constant rain made it too difficult to sustain any scoring threat by either team.
The Argos did show quite a talented backfield, both Druger and Miceli gave their all and were called on often to move the football, but it was too tall an order for any runningback as the game wore on.
“The mud was terrible and it got worse for me running,” said Druger. “I would run full but it was hard because the field was bad, that’s how I got caught on my long run. We played pretty good but they are a good team. We did score on them right away, that was good. I feel our team could be better at wrapping up to make the tackle. In the second half we did better at almost everything. Me, I could hold the ball higher.”
For Miceli, his slashing and qucik cut running style wasn’t as productive as it could have been in ideal conditions, still he was a difficult tackle and grabbed every foot he could each time called on.
“My uncle was going to the NFL and I saw his stuff so I try and run like he did,” said Leo. “I like running the ball and scoring touchdowns and I think I am hard to tackle. I try and get every yard I can and keep running hard. I think it takes a few guys to tackle me. I should bounce outside more because when I cut in, I would get tackled by guys. I think I can find the ball better when I am on defense. I see it but I need to be quicker.”
The game finally ended with the Argos succumbing to the Jr. Celtics 24-7 but they left looking forward down the road when the game will mean much more.
Others adding to the Argos efforts include Everett Burrus, Owen Peterson, Rocco Silva, Shawn Devies-Howard, Titus James Varda, Harley Young and Landon Brewer.
