Buccaneers drop a heartbreaker in Preseason

Joliet- On a cold afternoon in April, the start of the Buccaneers 2023 season. The Joliet Buccaneers Adult Amateur Football Team played host to their crossover state rivals the Indiana Assassins. The last time these two teams met was this past Fall, in the Central Michigan Fall League Championship, in which the Assassins beat the Bucs. “Yeah, this is a rivalry between us and them”, said Head Coach Michael Ingram Jr. They have gotten us for the last 3 times, and it makes for a great rivalry between both teams says Ingram. The Buccaneers started out a little slow on offense going 3 and out on their first drive, as their new signal caller was a little rusty. Former Plainfield East graduate Anthony Michalowicz, who was a player for the Buccaneers a few years back, came back to give it another try again. “I was a little nervous and jittery being back again under the center, the last time I played I was having some personal health issues, and now I’m back,” said Michalowicz. The offense found its footing a few times during the first half with Michalowicz, a few dropped passes and a couple of miscues was all that plagued the offense in the first half of play. Logan Zartler a former Joliet West graduate caught a few passes and looked good early but was pulled after suffering abdomen muscle pull. “I’m fine, coach knows what I can do, and I’m just fine,” said Zartler. Assassins got on the board in the second quarter, due to a Buccaneers botched breakdown in coverage. Longtime Veteran and team captain #26 Adrian Cornely took blame for the blown coverage. “That was my mistake and I own up to it”, said Cornely. “I thought the QB crossed the line of scrimmage, and I came up for run support and their receiver was wide open says Cornely. After the Buccaneers allowed the 2-point conversion. From that point on the defense clamped down, and went after their QB with relentless aggression, the Buccaneers sacked the QB 9 times in this game. In the second half, it was all Buccaneers as their defense stepped up and went back to work and harassed their QB. I was pleased with the defense for the most part, but we still need to get better and make better judgement says Ingram. # 9 Team Captain Tony Grimes picks off the QB and he went 57 yards for a touchdown to bring the Bucs within 2-points. The Buccaneers tried a 2-point conversion that failed, and that is where the score ended. Backup Quarterback #7 Issacc Redmond looked good too said Ingram. He just needs a little more work, he too has got a ton of rust under his belt, and I look for him to get better as the season progresses. The Bucs had plenty of chances to score, Return man and Defensive back James Hobson sparked a huge excitement with a return that was called back for illegal block in the back. I was beside myself said Ingram. In my view everything went well, and I think the officials were watching something else. The Buccaneer’s next opponent is the River City Sharks from the Mid Central Football League. The Buccaneers will play host to them next Saturday afternoon at Aux Sable Park 2001 Wildspring Parkway Joliet, IL. This will be the last preseason game, as this will be the last stage rehearsal for some of these guys trying to impress me for a starting spot says Ingram.

For more information about the Joliet Buccaneers Adult Amateur Football Team please visit us online at jolietbuccaneers.com or Facebook them at Joliet Buccaneers Instagram Joliet Bucs or call 815.302.8700