Bucs game halted after 1 half

Tinley Park- The Joliet Buccaneers Adult Amateur Football Team opened their 2023 Regular Season last night at Freedom Park in Tinley Park, IL. The Buccaneers traveled to nearby Tinley to face the Lake County, Indiana Warriors one the leagues best teams over the last few seasons. This game means a lot to our organization, as well to a lot of players said, Team President/Head Coach Michael Ingram. Over the last few seasons, the Buccaneers have been on the other side of this contest. It hurts a lot, said longtime Veteran #18 Travis Gates. “I’ve been with this organization (Team) for a long time, and every year we’ve taken a loss from these guys,” says Gates. This game is the classic story of the big brother Vs. the little brother, and somewhere down the line the little brother must stand up for themselves, and fight back, says Ingram. The Buccaneers won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half, on the opening the kickoff it was kicked out for a touch back. Warriors opening drive they marched the ball down the field going 80 yards with a little help with some bad Buccaneers coverage on the back end, that allowed the Warriors to move into scoring range and take an early 6-0 lead. “We made a few mistakes out there” said, Defensive Captain DB #11 Akia Lewis. “I wasn’t worried about our play or our game plan coming into the game,” says Lewis. We knew that this was going to be a dogfight either way.

On the Buccaneers opening drive, #23 Rookie RB/DB Keyshawn Canady went 74 yards down the sideline on a toss sweep that sent the whole entire Buccaneers sideline up into a frenzy. “I told coach before the game, I felt good about this game, and I also told the Oline to give me a crease and I’m gone,” said Canady. The Buccaneers Defense finally came back on the field to redeem themselves after a horrible first drive, they ran again into a very good Warriors Oline which was controlling the front 4. I felt like I was there, but I kept getting caught on the inside said, Defensive Captain #9 Anthony Grimes. We were able to figure out a few things, and it started to work, but we can’t allow teams to run the ball on us, we have to much pride for that! Grimes 2nd quarter Interception, which he returned for 22 yards set the Buccaneers up to tie game, was cut short on penalties. “Yeah, we made stupid miscues, we have to be better when were that close and in the RedZone”, said #2 Quarterback / Team Captain Anthony Michalowicz. In all fairness though, we should have scored, says Michalowicz. After a pouch kick that set the ball up inside the Warriors own territory the Buccaneers defense anchored down. Forcing the QB to throw into coverage, and that’s when #12 longtime Joliet Veteran Shaq Williams grabbed interception and raced 37 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. Shaq has been with this team for a long time, and I am so proud of him, he’s a quiet hardworking kid that you want on your team, says Ingram. The Bucs failed on the 2-point conversion to try and tie the game, the Bucs now trailed by 2 (12-14) late in the 2nd Quarter. The Warriors were able to put a drive together and score late to take a 22-12 lead, that’s where things stalled at half-time. Due to miscommunication between the park district of Tinley Park and the Warriors Management, the game was halted because of the dark. “It happens a lot more commonly than you know,” says Ingram. It’s not us (Adult Amateur/Minor League Teams) we do our best to do what is asked of us from the powers that be when renting these facilities, things fall through the cracks on our time.

So, what’s next for the Buccaneers, that’s the question at hand. Due to time restraints this game might have to be made up at a later date, but for now the Buccaneers have to think about their next opponent which is a new member to the league. Leyden Lions (IL) will travel out to Naperville, IL on Saturday May 20th to take on the Buccaneers. It will be the first Home Game of the season for the Buccaneers. “We’re hoping to have a great night of football action for the community”, 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