Oswego Youth Tackle Football Steamrolling Right Through Week 4

8U

OYTF 8U football remains undefeated with a 7-6 victory over Kaneland White thanks to the effort of the entire team. The first half of the game was a true battle and the Oswego defense gave up a tough touchdown, but came back and denied Kaneland the extra point which proved critical to the outcome. The game went to halftime with Oswego down 0-6. The 8U Panthers came out of halftime and marched 40 yards down the field led by the strong offensive line of Ryan Stork, Julian Hernandez, Cam Loghmani, Gage Poquette, and Dylan Doogs, culminating in a touchdown scored by Ethan Pilip. Pilip then ran in the extra point with the assist going to the entire offensive line. The Panther defense held with crucial tackles made by Hernandez, Loghmani, and Pilip. The 8U Panthers look to improve their record to 6-0 and remain undefeated when they take on the Kaneland Black team for their final home game of the regular season on Saturday, Setember 30th at 9am.

4th Grade

4th Grade ran its record to 5-0 with a 24-0 shutout victory at Kaneland. Oswego took the opening kick and marched down the field with Mariano Velasco scoring his 1st of 3 touchdowns on the day. Anthony “mini-fridge” Mullen attempted to kick the extra point and just missed it as it bounced off the cross bar. Oswego’s defense came up with a quick stop, then marched down the field on a long drive but stalled out on the Kaneland 15 yard line. Kaneland took the ensuing drive about 60 yards but the Oswego defense held firm to take it to the half up 6-0.

Oswego came out and dominated the 2nd half on both sides of the ball. Kaneland went 3 and out on their first series and lost about 20 yards in the process. Oswego fumbled and gave the ball back to Kaneland and forced another 3 and out with Kaneland punting from their own 1 yard line. Dylan Cathey had a nice punt return to bring the offense within striking distance. Mariano Velasco took it from there with his 2nd touchdown of the day behind some excellent blocking from Anthony Mullen, Hunter Novak, Nolan Hutchings, Trent Epley, Brody Main, and Devin Mata. Oswego then forced another 3 and out with more dominant play from the defense. Connor Konken, Jeff Hernandez, Noah Deist, and Trevor Hayslett lead the way with multiple tackles for loss. Noah Deist had some highlight reel tackles the few times the Kaneland running backs were able to get outside and his pass coverage was excellent throughout the game. Mariano had one last touchdown in him when he took the sweep to the right for six. The defense came out for one last series taking Kaneland back for another minus 15 yards for the final stop of the game. Oswego’s final play put the exclamation mark on the game with Dylan Cathey taking a reverse 50 yards down the sideline for the final score to make it 24-0.

Mariano Velasco and Anthony Mullen were awarded the offensive game balls for their outstanding play and leadership in this game and throughout the season. The defensive game ball was shared between Noah Deist, Connor Konken, and Jeff Hernandez for their dominant performance. Oswego plays Plainfield at home next week in their final home game of the season.

6th Grade

OYTF 6th Grade Panthers win on the Road 34-19

Oswego’s first road game of the season was against Yorkville, after a pre-game meeting the team caravanned to the game together. The first half was a foot race, Oswego took it to them early with runs from Devin White, Will Bass and Colin O’Grady, O’Grady plunged in for the score to make it 6-0.

Yorkville answered and tied the game 6-6, Oswego again drove the ball down the field with great blocks all day from the O Line, including Grif Brown, Dalton Platt, Declan Auton, Bryce Woods, Taiden Thomas, Ryan Pass, Julian Rivera, Aidan Mackniskas, Brandon Becker & Joey Abdallah paving the way for a Devin White touchdown to take the lead 12-6. Yorkville went to the passing game, Owen Carlson picked off a deep pass and took it to the house, Marco Bellanca added the extra point kick, making the score 20-6. Yorkville answered again to make it 20-12. Oswego started it’s march down the field, QB Andrew Karsten connected with the long pass and Will Bass took it down to the 4 yard line. White again followed some great blocking in for the TD, Marco again added the extra point kick for a 28-12 lead. Yorkville answered with a score to take it to halftime at 28-19.

The defense was challenged during halftime and they answered in the 2nd half and did not allow Yorkville another score. With great play from cornerbacks Owen Carlson & Grant Zegar Abe Hansen. Defensive Backs William Mattson, Finn Anderson, Noah Vera, Peyton Hammond, & Colin O’Grady Marco Bellanca Matthew Kinley, Miguel Rivera, Andrew Phillips, Carter Russell, Chase Morgan, Cayden Mast and Mike Mellas. Defensive End’s Bryce Wood’s & Ryan Pass along with Taiden Thomas, Grif Brown and Marco Bellanca where penetrating into the back field all day with multiple sacks and tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Oswego drove the ball with some of the best line and lead back blocking of the season, with great runs by QB Karsten, White, O’Grady & Bass ending in with a TD to bring the score to 34-19. After another great defensive stop, QB Owen Carlson led the offense, and running back Finn Anderson having several first down runs with great lead blocking from Abe Hansen, on 4th and 12 Grant “Gio” Zegar made his way to a first down with some gutsy running.

The coaching staff was proud of the play in 95 degree heat, the offense looked unstoppable all day. The win brings Oswego’s record to 4-1 leading into Saturday’s home show down against the Naperville Huskie’s who sport a record of 3-2, Oswego can lock up a post season top 3 seed or better with a victory.

8th Grade Orange

On Saturday the 8th grade Orange Panthers took on Neaqua Valley. Orange put together 2 good drives but failed to score until the last play before halftime when Tristan August threw a pass which resulted in an amazing catch over 2 defenders from Vince Andersen for the TD, Julian Rodriguez punched in the 2 point conversion to take an 8-0 halftime lead. The second half was solid defense by both teams until 1 minute left when Neaqua Valley finally hit a 40 yard TD pass and after the 2 point conversion was good the game was tied. Connor Deal had a great kickoff return to the 50 and the offense went to work, with 2 nice runs by Rodriguez to setup a 19 Yard TD pass from Julian Toma to Rodriguez with 14 seconds left to seal the game 14-8. Standout defensive performance by Zach Selvig who had 2 key interceptions. In 93 degrees, the players stepped up and left it all on the field. Great victory, over a very good Neaqua team.