11U SILVER STORMS TO VICTORY
The Falcons came out prepared and ready to play the Wheaton Rams Sunday, with a running attack led by Owen Joyce, Ben Tiritilli, Michael Mcgowan and Alec Allegra that started out with a bang.
Ben Tiritilli took the first play from scrimmage for 40 yards. Then Owen Joyce took the ball around the end and turned on the Jets for a 35-yard touchdown on the second play of the game.
The offense never looked back. Alec Allegra showed a command for the passing game, connecting with a number of Falcons, including Timas Marchertas, Connor Mclaurin, Reagan Walsh and Will Heinskill. The passing attack kept the Wheaton Rams on their heals all day which gave Joyce, Mcgowan and Tiritilli room to run for more than 200 yards on the day. Joyce added another exciting 40-yard scamper for a touchdown and Tiritilli broke a 25-yard touchdown up the middle to cap the scoring for the Falcons.
The offensive line led by Luke Melillo, Liam Joyce, Corbin Camp, Tommy Willet and Charlie Hoyt controlled the line of scrimmage, giving Allegra time to throw and providing great holes for the running attack.
The dominant defensive line was led by Tommy Willet, Corbin Camp, Liam Joyce, Charlie Hoyt and Logan Barrio. Michael Mcgowan and Luke Melillo combined for five sacks throughout the game. Owen Joyce and Tiritilli made tackles all over the field. The highlight was a four-play goal line stand in the second half that ended with an open field tackle by Owen Joyce to seal the shutout.
Final score: 19-0.
The Falcons next game will be Sunday at Hinsdale Central High School against Downers Grove.
11U GOLD FALLS TO HORNETS
The Hinsdale Falcons 11U Gold had its chances against the Lemont Hornets in the regular season finale on Sunday, but still ended up on the short end of a 12-6 Hornets win.
With a strong and gusty wind at its back on the opening possession, a Hornet fullback took a fourth-and-4 handoff at midfield the distance. Down 6-0, the Falcons battled back to tie the game on a long run by tailback Patrick Connors, who reversed field and tip-toed down the sidelines to paydirt. The Falcons seemed to gain momentum after cornerback James Skokna picked off an errant Lemont pass. But a fumble inside the 10-yard line ended the Falcons’ threat and left the score knotted at 6-6 at halftime. Hinsdale came out strong in the third quarter and again seemed poised to take control, marching down the field behind the bruising interior running of fullback Nick Newmann. But, for the second time, the Hornets’ defense turned the Falcons away deep in the red zone. On the ensuing possession, an energized Falcon defense forced a Lemont punt. The wind-aided 45-yard punt flipped the field and proved to be game-turning. Pinned deep and against the wind, Hinsdale turned the ball over on downs and the Hornets capitalized on the short field with a touchdown run. With the final possession, the Falcons drove past midfield but couldn’t get any closer to a potential game-winning score.
The loss dropped Hinsdale to the No. 7 seed in the upcoming division playoffs, where they will take on No. 2 seed Oswego in the first round.
JV GOLD DROPS FINAL GAME
Naperville’s JV team, a new franchise to the Bill George league, came in to Dickinson Field with a two-game winning streak. That didn’t end on Sunday, as Naperville was led by a large front line, with lineman named Big D, Big City, and Sweet T.
Hinsdale’s D was led by Finn Boggs, Big Mike Wallace, Ian Coates, Dax Michaels and Anto Barbara, who was all over the field. On offense, Ryan Corcoran blazed past the Saints on a crossing route for a 50-yard touchdown from Riley Contreras. Contreras hit Joe Pisani on a similar play later in the game. Pisani scored on a good block by Nicholas Naccarato. Johnny “Michael Flatley” Horton added two more PATs.
Final Score: Naperville 32, Falcons 16.
Next up is the playoffs.
“Everyone is 0-0 again, just like my D1 billiards tourneys at U of I, everyone is all in,” Coach Fred Boshardt said.
VARSITY RED SHUTS OUT SAINTS
The Varsity Red team battled in blustery conditions against the undefeated Naperville Saints Saturday. The first half was a defensive battle between the teams. Big sacks by Edward Kentra, Mustafa Rashid. Jack Costello and James Claus kept Naperville from advancing most of the game. However, late in the first half Naperville marched down the field into Hinsdale territory. Thanks to a huge tackle by Kevin Coan at the 1-yard line, the game remained scoreless
at the half.
The Falcons dominated in the second half. Naperville was shut down with big tackles from Zach Kruse, Adam Ortiz, Will Rediger and Anthony Tiritilli. Michael Plunkett’s perfect snaps to Coan ensured success throughout the game. Great execution from Max Lowe and Matthew Elliott helped the offense be productive. Aided by a huge block from Kruse, Coan scored the first touchdown on a quarterback sweep. Matthew Elliott, Andrew Lyne, Tiritilli and Rediger helped shut down Naperville’s passing game and Noah McCurry and Misha Antipov had big plays throughout the game to hold back Naperville. Late in the game, on third and 19, Coan had a 70-yard touchdown run aided by key blocks from Peter Skokna and Lyne. Coan’s 2-point conversion pass to Lyne was complete, bringing the final score to 14-0.
The Pancake award went to running back Sammy Davino for battling past Naperville’s defense on multiple runs while the Hammer was awarded to Zach Cruse for his defensive prowess.
The Varsity Red team finished the regular season 5-3.
Playoffs begin this weekend, and the team earned the right to host a first-round playoff game this Sunday at Dickinson Field.
