9U SILVER LOSES BY ONE POINT
It was a gorgeous setting for what would turn out to be the Falcons final game of the season, a re-match against a tough Plainfield team.
The Jr Cats struck first with a second quarter touchdown. A great stop by the defense on the PAT left the score at 6-0. The Falcons answered on the sixth play of the drive. Teddy Ouimette bolted around end and scored from 54 yards out. The PAT was just short, leaving the game knotted up at 6-6.
The Jr Cats threatened but they were turned away by Harrison Kuzniar’s strip tackle and fumble recovery.
The second half started with a impressive scoring drive. Keegan McCoskey, AJ Siepker, Luke Hanson, Jasper Maggio, Alex Demetis, Grant Garber and Dario Rendina powered the Falcons. Ouimette scooted to his left and scored. A failed PAT gave the Falcons a precarious 12-6 lead.
To the Jr Cats’ credit, they answered with a touchdown run to tie the game at 12-12. A converted PAT gave them the lead 13-12. Nate Morris tried to get the Falcons moving through the air, but they ultimately turned it over on downs.
The defense — led by Billy Jaqua, JP Rago, Jake Stanton, John Dunn, Carter Pearson, Rocco Majeta, Mas Buttitta and Max Breton — needed to get the ball back. Cooper Milburn put a big hit on the ball carrier and Will Jones recovered the fumble. A last-ditch effort by the Falcons fell short resulting, in a 13-12 defeat.
There is so much for these young Falcons to be proud of. Each of them has pushed themselves physically and mentally. The focus, effort, teamwork and success has impressed parents and coaches alike, who want to thank them for a great and fun season. And we look forward to all of them coming back next year.
9U GOLD FALLS IN PLAYOFFS
The 9U Gold team’s season came to an end Sunday, falling one win short of the Super Bowl in a 20-0 loss to Lyons. The game was much closer than the score, as the Falcons played well against the undefeated Lyons.
Lyons drew first blood on the game’s initial possession going up 8-0 behind a long drive that was inches away from being stopped. On the ensuing possession, Lyons’ defense returned an interception for a pick-six touchdown to put them up quickly 14-0.
Coach Mike Murphy’s defense held firm from there. Luke Gray and Marco Oliverio dominated the edges and Christian Kirchev, Joey Hillegas and Nico Will ran circles around their larger opponents up front. Sebastian Christensen and Marcello Salamone delivered massive hits from the linebacker position while Carson Malinas and Reid Jacobsen batted down any passes that came their way. Eventually, Lyons broke through for a touchdown run late in the second half for the final score.
On offense, linemen Lukasz Gewont, Jacob Zager, Ivan Burt, Carter Cox, Miles Perucki and tight ends Nathan Thangamani and Soren Carlson fought hard against a defensive front that outweighed the Falcons by 15 pounds on average. Quarterback Ben Murphy and running backs Kellen Brown and Topher Allanson pounded into the defense time and again but were unable to break free.
But what a season for the 9U Gold Falcons!
Fifteen of the 20 players were playing football for the first time. Under Coach Nate Brown’s leadership, the team came together to finish at 6-4. Coach Steve Gray molded the line into shape and coaches Joe Zager and Brian Jacobsen pitched in wherever needed. Lastly, a big thank you to Katie Allanson for her help with the team.
Next up, some rest until Aug. 1, 2023!
10U GOLD loses close game
All dreams come to an end. The Hinsdale 10U Falcons Gold team’s dreams of a championship ended with an 8-6 loss to the Tri-City Chargers in the semifinals.
It was a story of missed opportunities for the Falcons, with multiple promising drives stalling out in the redzone and a few turnovers. After a scoreless first half, the Chargers struck first in the second half with a touchdown and kicked 2-point conversion. The Falcons responded early in the fourth quarter with a sustained drive behind strong running from Charlie Lynch and Michael Kipnis. Hinsdale eventually punched it in with a Dillon Phelan run to the pylon. The Falcons couldn’t convert the crucial extra point and found themselves down 8-6 with minutes to play.
The defense did its part on the ensuing drive to get the ball back however, the Chargers defense stiffened leading to a turnover on downs effectively ending the game and the Falcons’ season. The defense played at an elite level paced by its defensive line, Sal Calandriello, Torsten Wood and Grant Wanles, with all three capping a terrific season up front. Grant Kircheimer resembled a junk-yard dog chasing down the ball, notching multiple big stops.
With perspective only the end of a season can provide, it is clear this Falcons team improved across the board. There was impressive growth from players like Jake Byerle, George Beatty, Dominic Cresap, Logan Sullivan, John O’Toole, Massimo Burdi, Brayden Merchant and Leo Crooks, each working on their craft daily to ensure team success. Some timely big plays from Spencer Marnell, Kellan Goodwin, Ryder McLaurin and Sullivan Camp seemed to always happen when needed most. Phelan, Lynch and Kipnis were crucial for Hinsdale in all three phases this season and should only get better.
10U fans agree it was a pleasure to watch this team battle every week.
11u Silver Falcons SUPER BOWL bound
They say there’s no place like home, but the Falcons say there’s no place like Dickinson! Hinsdale was set to host the Elmhurst Eagles for the semifinals. As the Hells Bell rang, the Falcons burst through the banner, storming the field in dramatic fashion.
Hinsdale’s line, powered by Bryce Kinder, Alex Schaeffer, Leo Rivera, Luke Altemose and Mr. Devious himself, Will.i.am. Smith, had a field day. The boys sponsored strong runs by Michael Garber and Jake Knapp and gave quarterback Benjamin Allanson ample time to scorch the Eagle defense. Hinsdale’s notorious defense, led by Clayton Tims (4 tackles), Alec Meltzer (3 tackles), Schaeffer (4 tackles, 1 sack), and Knapp (8 tackles), came fired up, disrupting the Eagle’s quarterback all game long.
After a turnover on downs, receiver Jake Wolowick begged, “Coach, let me burn them deep,” to which offensive coordinator J. Lefty McVay Jr. agreed. That play, an Allanson dime to a wide open Wolowick, resulted in a 60 yard touchdown. “Now that’s leverage!” cheered Receivers Coach Pat McInerny. Defensively, Knox Apple intercepted Oliveino’s pass, giving Hinsdale another opportunity to score before half. In a classic 2-minute-drill, the Falcons raced 47 yards to the 1, where Knapp scored with a Kansas City Sneak. Apple caught Allanson’s 2-point pass, putting Hinsdale up 14-0.
Through the second half, Hinsdale’s defense refused to break. The Eagles advanced but were ultimately held scoreless thanks to monstrous plays including a fourth-and-15 Schaeffer sack; Garber, Meltzer, Apple pass break ups; and a Kinder forced fumble to seal the game. Boom went the dynamite indeed.
Special thanks and shoutout to the fourth- and fifth-grade Falcon Cheerleaders for their Sunday and season-long support! The Falcons will face Palatine in the Super Bowl this Saturday. Don’t miss it!
VARSITY RED HAS FIRST LOSS
The Falcons Varsity Red squad saw ITS undefeated season come to an end Sunday morning at Hinsdale Central. They entered the game with some injuries to key players but were determined to take the fight to the high-powered Naperville Saints. The Falcons took the ball on their first possession and marched down the field with tough runs from wide receiver turned running back Brian Willoughby. Quarterback Owen Sunderson took a draw play down to the 1 yard line and Willoughby punched it in to make the score 6-0.
The Saints’ first possessions was a mess. Tommy Riordan terrorized the Naperville center with pressure throughout the possession, causing him to snap the ball over their quarterback’s head several times. The Saints went backward and eventually punted the ball away.
The next few series brought injuries to Willoughby and Sunderson, a crushing blow to the Falcons on offense and defense. John Breton would play quarterback in relief of Sunderson. It took a few quarters to get his feet under him but he would complete a few passes and move the chains in the fourth quarter, for which he received loud cheers from the Falcon fans. In the end, the game got away from the Falcons and finished with a final score of 36-6.
The season did not end the way that they would have liked, but the boys had a lot to be proud of. They played the second half of the season without some key players and still managed to go 8-0 in the regular season and make the BGYFL semifinals. The coaching staff was overheard after the game telling the boys it was a privilege and an honor to have coached them and that they couldn’t wait to see what these boys accomplish playing high school football.
