Poplar Grove Lions: My Site News

Good day LIONS faith full and welcome back to the LIONS DEN and to the 2011 football season.

Our opening day of football was an amazing roller coaster of highs and lows with a great day of football played by all of our young athletes on all five of our teams. Opening day brought three great organizations out to the home hunting grounds to do battle with our boys on the home gridiron so with a lot of football to cover lets dig into last weekends reports.

Tiny Might Report (L) – LIONS (7 – 14) Bolingbrook Trojans

                Wow was this game fun! With the Tiny Might’s you never really know what to expect, but what a great job done by both teams. Technically these games are not scored because at this age it really is not about winning or loosing but how the game is played. And these little guys played GREAT!, so with these games we will report on how many touchdowns are scored.

                The Trojans struck first in the first half to get the 0-7 lead but our little LION cubs kept fighting back and knotted up the game when #34 Connell snuck over the right side breaking a few tackles and outrunning the secondary on a 50 plus yard rumble into the endzone that made it a 7-7 ball game in the second half. It was close for the remainder of the half but the Trojans got a break away play at the buzzer to capture the lead and the game. Other LIONS pitching in with big performances on the day was #7 Tabiligan with a mess of tackles and yards and #10 Gosten with a big defensive performance. Fantastic job! To that whole team the Tiny Might’s are back in action next against the Vikings of Roselle. Go get em’ guys.

Mighty Might report (L)– LIONS (0-27) Algonquin Argonauts    

                This game was actually closer than the score may suggest, the Argo’s burned us on 4 well executed plays one, a big sweep and three good reverses that all went to the endzone for the Argo’s, our offense did move the ball well against this good team but just could not get the defense to break and put the rock into the endzone. Next week also finds our Mighty Might’s in Roselle to duke it out with the Vikings. Shake this one off guys, you played well and better days and games are just around the corner.

Junior Pee-Wee report (L)– LIONS (0-42) Algonquin Argonauts    

                Well,…… ouch! Sometimes this happens, our Junior Pee-Wee’s ran into a very good Argo football team for their opening game of 2011. Our boys did execute well but just could not escape the constant pressure the Argo defense put on us. The defense for the LIONS never gave up either as they forced the Argo’s to drive the ball on every series. Don’t let the highs get to high or the lows get to low. I suspect this week when the Jr. Pee-Wee LIONS take the field against the Vikings of Roselle that the old ROAR!!!! Is gonna be back.

Pee-Wee report (W)– LIONS (14-13) Algonquin Argonauts    

                This one was close!!! The Argo’s hit us early in the first period to take the 0-6 lead but our LION defense never gave up and closed the Argo’s down for the remainder of the first half when late in the second period the LIONS had the Argo’s pinned deep in their own territory and forced them to punt from just outside the endzone. It was #7 Schrader fielding the punt at about the 25 and scrambling the pig skin back in for the score to knot the game up at 6-6 the extra point kick by #34 Dowling was GOOD and the Lions jumped ahead 8-6. The second half was a battle for the lead and the Argo’s capitalized on some opportunities to take back the lead early in the fourth with a touchdown 8-12 and ran in the extra point to push the lead up 8-13, but our boys were not done. The LIONS pressed the ball down the field and played clock management when with little time left on the clock #10 Hulsey bull dozed over the center from less than 2 yards out to retake the lead 14-13.  

                Special shout outs to that defense, turning in big “D” performances for the LIONS were #21 Anderson, #45 Irwin, #69 Vaupel, #39 Gutierez and #34 Dowling. Next week finds the Pee-Wee LIONS also in Roselle to battle the Vikings.

Midget Tackle Report (W) – LIONS (6-0) Memorial Park Spartans

                HOLY COW this was a great battle. The Spartans rolled into the jungle with a big and fast ball club to battle our older boys for that first W of the season! This was a back and forth match for three straight scoreless periods with neither defense giving in. the Spartans managed to get into our red zone with their impressive speed but the LIONS never let them across. The LIONS then managed to get into the Spartan red zone with our passing game from the arm of #7 Renkosiak hooking up with wide outs #20 Gutierez and #22 Lopez along with the fast feet of #21 Briggs but the Spartan defense held us at bay. It was late in the fourth period when #7 connected 35 yards downfield with #20 to put us back in the Spartan redzone. The LIONS then went to #21 to press the ball close and chew up that clock and the LIONS finally hit “pay dirt” when Renkosiak connected with Lopez in the back of the endzone from 8 yards out to take the lead 6-0. With less than 90 seconds left on the clock it was up to that defense to do what they have done all day, as the game concluded on a big game saving tackle by #6 Partee and #24 Freeland. Big shout out to that defensive line and middle linebackers on a job well done #54 Garibay, #40 Larsh, #27 Rapp, #90 Jackson, #24 Freeland D-ends #6 Partee & #38 Weiss and LB’s #21 Briggs & #36 Perry as the LION “D” swarm tackled on almost every play. The Midgets get to enjoy a BYE week this week but will be back in action two weeks from now at home against the Oswego Bears.    

And one final shout out for the cheerleaders, their half time performances looked awesome. Keep up the good work Lady LIONS, can’t wait to see you guys in competition this year!!!

Week one is in the books, still a lot of football to be played and don’t forget the road to the play-offs and hopefully a State Championship is filled with lots of highs and lows, so keep it between the lines and keep moving that ball down the field!!!!

GO LIONS / LION PRIDE

                Week 2 is in, and gone as the LION Pride loaded up and took this circus on the road rolling into Roselle to battle the mighty Vikings, it was a split weekend of W’s and L’s for the boys with our two younger team’s raising their first victory flags of the 2011 season. Unfortunately fans this LION’s reporter could not get on the road with the pride this weekend so I can’t give you the finite details of what I am sure was some GREAT!!!!! LIONS football but I can give you some scores and set you up for next week. So, here we go.

                Tiny Might Report (W) LIONS (21-7) Roselle Vikings

                                Great job little guys and Congrats, the Tiny’s are back home next weekend to take on the Chicago Joker’s

                Mighty Might Report (W)LIONS (7-6) Roselle Vikings

                                Holy smokes, can’t get much closer than that! The LIONS had the lead 7-0 for most of the game as I hear it when the Vikings Scored with little time on the clock to make it 7-6 but it all came down to a Pride of LIONS on the goal line and saying “NOT TODAY” I hear the boys swarmed in and attacked to stop the extra point attempt and held onto their first “W” of the season Congrats! guys let’s bring that back home as the boys get ready to host the Maywood Bucs

                Junior Pee-Wee Report (L) 0-1 LIONS (0-35) 0-1 Roselle Vikings

                                OK guys, another tough week. Keep it together boys we’re all proud of you the Jr. Pee-Wee’s are also hosting the Chi-Town Jokers next weekend on the home gridiron.

                Pee-Wee Report (L) 1-0 LIONS (0-6) 0-1 Roselle Vikings

                                You know, I am starting to get the feeling that every game for these young hero’s this season is going to a close one. The Pee-Wee’s are also back home next weekend to do battle with Robbins Eagles.

                Midget Tackle Report – BYE WEEK

                                The Midgets are back in action next week against the Oswego 2 Bears.

                The 2011 season is really cooking now! See you in the Boone County Jungle next weekend for some week 3 FOOTBALL

GO LIONS / LION PRIDE

Let’s fill you in. Also, take note as to where your favorite LIONS team is headed this week as the boys are scattered to three different locations.

                Tiny Might Report (L) LIONS (0-28) Chicago Jokers

                                First time our little guys have been kept out of the end zone this year, but you know what guys, it’s all good-it really is fun watching you guys go after it every week. The little guys are in Rockford next weekend to take on the Ravens

                Mighty Might Report (L) LIONS (0-33) Maywood Bucs

                                Tough day for the Mighty Might’s that Bucs team was big and fast, the boys almost scored a couple of times but as we all know, almost doesn’t cut it on the gridiron. The boys will be traveling with their little LION brothers this weekend as they too will be in Rockford to battle the Ravens.

                Jr. Pee-Wee report (L) LIONS 0-2 (0-53) 2-0 Chicago Jokers

                                YEE-OUCH!!!!! That score says it all, back the drawing board boys. Keep your heads up Guys, the W’s are coming keep working at it, the Jr.’s are off on their own this weekend as they roll into Hoffmann Estates to battle the Red Hawks

                Pee-Wee Report (L) LIONS 1-1 (0-12)   2-0 Robins Eagles

                                Yep, every game for these guys is going to be close. 3 quarters of scoreless football. A big play on the day for the LIONS was a very well executed half back pass that started with the QB #10 Hulsey rolling left and pitching out to #39 Guetierez who hooked up down field to #7 Schrader for what to turned into a  67 yard play that put the ball on the 4 yard line for the LIONS but the Eagles kept us out. It was late in the fourth when the Eagles crossed the goal line on us after a good offensive drive that got them the 0-6 lead. With the clock ticking away and needing the score the LIONS put the full charge on for one more push but throwing deep the boys got “picked 6”  and the Eagles snuck one away from us. The boys hit the road and go South to battle the Oswego 1 Bears next weekend.

                Midget report (W) LIONS 1-0 (22-6) 1-1 Oswego 2 Bears

                                HEY-HEY, the boys played a solid football game against a strong Bear’s ball club. The scoring finally got started in the second quarter when #7 Renkosiak hooked up with #22 Lopez from about 15 yards out to give the boys a 6-0 lead it was #20 Guetierez putting the kick up and in for another 2 and the boys rolled an 8-0 lead into the half. The Bears got the ball to start the second half and behind their big and fast half back pushed the ball down for a score of their own to make it 8-6 but something interesting happened on the extra point try. You saw the snap and holder place the ball on the tee, but when the Bear kicker went to kick it, the ball was gone???? It was sneaky #21 Briggs who swiped the ball off the tee and set the tempo for the rest of the game. The Offensive line that looked flat the whole first half got rolling #54 Gariby,#23 Renkosiak, #40 Larsh, #99 Bowman and #24 Freeland started to open up some huge holes and #4 Smith and #21 Briggs took advantage and rattled of some great runs as the LION “O” drove the ball 75 yards down the field methodically chewing up the clock and struck again from 6 yards out when #7 hooked up again with #22 and the boys pushed ahead 14-6 with #20 in to get the extra point kick and that was GOOD and the boys took a two score lead into the 4^th  (16-6) it now time for “DEFENSE!!!” and the “D” line of #7 Renkosiak, #54 Gariby, #27 Rapp,# 40 Larsh, #90 Jackson and #24 Freeland came up big and ground the Bears to a halt. The big “O” got the ball back and again drove the length of the field behind the big line and punched in another score when #21 went off tackle left from 9 yards out and the LIONS were up 22-6. The extra point kick went wide right but the damage was done. Good game boys and great start to the season. Keep it up. The Midgets are also in Oswego with their younger LION brothers to battle the Oswego 1 Bears team next weekend.

                Ravens! And Red Hawks! And Bears! Oh-my! Go get em’ guys let’s bring home 5 W’s next weekend. And would you believe that it’s already going to be week 4?

                GO LIONS / LION PRIDE  

Week 4

                Half way there! Yep it’s the halfway point of the season. Our Tiney’s and Mighty’s are rolling strong. Jr. Pee-Wee’s looking to turn things around. The Pee-Wee’s trying to get back into the hunt after two close losses and the Midgets trying to keep the streak alive. The hero’s of the gridiron hit the road this last weekend and got scattered across Illinois as they headed out West, East and South for some great football. Get your compass ready because here comes the report. 

                First we look to the West and the home of the Rockford Ravens

                Tiney Might Report (L) LIONS (7-28) Ravens

                                The boys got back into the endzone last weekend and played yet another great game. As always these guys are a lot of fun to watch and they are playing some great ball.

                                The boys are bringing back to the home jungle a (1-3) record to face off against the Evanston Raiders

                Mighty Might Report (L) LIONS (0-20) Ravens

                                This was a tough fought and great game for the boys even though they came out on the wrong side of the score board. The LIONS had a TD called back and the ball didn’t fall their way a few times. But they played great and are getting better every week. The second half of the season is looking way up for these guys.

                                The Mighty’s also come back home with a (1-3) record this weekend to battle the Elgin Royals

                Now we turn our attention to the East and the home of the Hoffman Estates Red Hawks

                Jr. Pee-Wee Report (L) LIONS 0-3 (6-26) 1-1 Red Hawks

                                Despite the score things are starting to look up for the Jr.’s and although they may be down they most certainly are not out. Big highlights on the day  was a 20 yard strike from the arm of #28 Johnson hooking up with #11 Wolowicki for the Jr.’s first TD of the season. Big defense was turned in from #10 Haese who added a sack to his tackling resume and that entire pride of LIONS “D” with a monster punt block.  The Red Hawks stung us early for 20 pts. But the LION “D” came alive in the second half and held them to just 6. Like I said, it looks as if things are starting to turn around guys. Keep pushing forward. We can see some W’s on your horizon

                The Jr. Pee-Wee’s (0-4) are back home next weekend also against the Evanston Raiders

                Turn to the right and look South for our last two reports and we are in Oswego and the land of the Bears

                Pee-Wee Report (W) LIONS  1-2 (24-0) 1-2 Bears

                                After suffering two very close loses our boys are back on track and back in the hunt. Scoring for the LIONS was #12 Roewer with 1 TD and #7 Schraeder hitting the end zone for 2 scores. And how about that defense turning in 6 pts. Of their own with a pick 6 from #39 Gutierez. Plowing the field for a great LIONS rushing day was that “O” line made up of #21 Anderson,#69 Vaupel, #36 Lottchea, #13 Sanders and #31 Johnson. But we also have to give props to that “D” line holding the Bears to just 3 first downs on the day. The great stone wall was made up of #21 Anderson, #36 Lottchea, #16 Glickenberg, #17 Burk and #13 Sanders.

                The Pee-Wee team comes back home with a (2-2) record to take on a Northern Division foe, the Argonauts of Algonquin and are back in the thick of the play-off hunt. Great job boys!!!

                Midget Tackle Report (W) LIONS 2-0 (32-0) 0-3 Bears

                All the action came fast and early in this one as #20 Gutierez took the opening kickoff at the 28 yard line, found a seam behind 4 great blocks and 72 yards later was in for 6. The LION D shut down the Bears with a 3 and out and took back the ball at their own 40. Their first play from the line was the unloading of the cannon from #7 Renkosiak who hooked up with, you guessed it, with #20 who scored his second TD of the day from 60 yards out. After another 3 and out the LION “O” went to the run game and after a few first downs it was #21 Briggs going over the right side and cutting back hard left against the defense and out running the secondary for a 44 yard TD scamper and the LIONS were quickly up 18-0. But the LION “D” not wanting to be out played fired up and attacked on the next series when a PRIDE of LIONS forced the ball to the carpet and it was scooped up by #24 Freeland and the LIONS again were deep in Bear territory. 3 plays later it again was #21 running off tackle left and hitting pay dirt from 14 yards out and the LIONS were up 24-0 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter the Bears had us pinned with 3^rd and long when the boys stole a play from the Pee-Wee playbook and unloaded a half back pass from #21 hitting #38 Weiss for a 30 yard gain that put the ball on the Bear 41 yard line. The next play saw great blocks from #54 Gariby and #50 Evans as #4 Smith took the rock over the left side broke two tackles and ran the sideline tight rope to score from 41 yards out. The extra point was good and the LIONS took a 32-0 lead into the half. With the game well in hand the LION “O” went to back up runners in the second half who all turned in positive yardage for the day as #24 Freeland, #90 Jackson and #27 Rapp took some of the load for the starting backs.

                Coming up big for the LION “D” was #21 Briggs with 12 tackles and #24 Freeland with 7 tackles and a fumble recovery. Pitching in multiple tackles of their own for the “D” was #7 Renkosiak, #90 Jackson, #23 Renkosiak, #27 Rapp , #22 Lopez. #20 Gutierez, #36 Perry and #4 Smith who also had a fumble recovery. A solid “W” for the boys and a big shout out to the rest of the “O” line not yet mentioned Great blocking from #99 Bowman and #40 Larsh along with #24, #54, #50 and #23.

                The Midget team comes home with a Division 3 leading (3-0) record and  takes on the first place Division 2 leading (4-0) Harvey Colts.

                As you can see LION fan’s all of our boys and cheerleaders are at home together this weekend for the last time this season and that means Homecoming and mom appreciation day. Come on out to the jungle for a full day of football and cheerleading as we host 4 great organizations coming to town. Second half of the season brings the push for the play-offs for our 3 older teams and lots of great football to be played by all of our hero’s of the fall gridiron.

                GO LIONS / LION PRIDE    

Week 5

                It’s homecoming week, the last five game set with all our young men and ladies together at home for the last time this season. The weather is turning colder and what’s that smell in the air? The scent of play-offs looms on the horizon. But there is still lots of football to be played between now and then. 3 games left in the regular season. October promises to be exciting for all our teams. Let’s dig into last weekends action.

Tiny Might Report (L) LIONS (14-21) Raiders

                The Lion cubs struck first in the second period with a 31 yard score from #26 Mondesir but the raiders kept coming back. The score changed back and forth a couple of times but as you can see our young hero’s came up just a bit short. But hey great job guys! You just keep getting better and better. These guys are going to be a lot of fun to watch over the years as they move up through the system.

                The Tiny Might’s (1-4) get another crack at them this weekend as they head to Evanston to battle the Raiders again.

Mighty Might Report (L) LIONS (6-32) Royals

                The Mighty’s ran into a tough Royals ball club that just kept breaking away from us every time we thought we had them pinned down. The boys constantly moved the ball well but could not break into the endzone enough times to match that good Royals team. These guys are also looking really good week to week.

                The Mighty Might’s (1-4) look to get back on track this weekend in Hoffman Estates to battle the Warrenville Tigers

Jr. Pee-Wee Report (W) Lions 0-4 (34-6) Raiders 0-4

                HEY! HEY! Now that’s what I am talking about! Great job guys. The Jr. Pee-Wee LIONS came out firing on ALL cylinders last weekend and started the scoring parade with #99 Demann scoring on a great run play, the LION “D” riding the wave stepped up and shut down the Raider attack and the offense went to two pronged attack firing through the air and gobbling up yards on the ground. Left – right, high – low the boys just kept coming after them #28 Johnson hooked up with #11 Wolowicki for a score and also ran one himself and adding to the scoring was #19 Smith. Helping out on the offensive attack with big gains was #20 Freeland and #45 Schwebke on the ground and making some tough catches to keep the ball moving was #64 Cardinal. And how about that defense, big performances turned in by #4 Gratz, #10 Haese, #12 McGovern, #5 Morall, #8 Patrick, #54 Ohara and #33 Pippel and the rest of that great LION “D” Big time “W” boys and a great team effort turned in by all.

                The Jr. Pee-Wee LIONS (1-4) are on the road to take on a North division rival the (2-2) Hoffman Estates Red Hawks.

Pee-Wee Report (L) LIONS 2-2 (0-20) Argonauts 2-2  

                Well LION fan’s, I would be lying if I didn’t say that this one was a little frustrating. The Argo’s hit on the first play with a great counter, got the extra point and went up 0-7. Ok , that happens sometimes. The boys then fired right back at them and took the ball down the field but were held out of the endzone. The battle then just kept going back and forth, but when we needed it too….. the ball just would not fall our way. The Big LION “O” grabbed up lots of yards and threatened to score on multiple occasions but the Argo defense would not break. A couple of good breaks for the Argo’s and well….. you know the rest of the story. Regroup guys, your still in the thick of the play-off hunt!

                The Pee-Wee LIONS (2-3) are also in Hoffman Estates this weekend to battle the Southern Division leading (4-1) Warrenville Tigers

Midget Report (L) LIONS 3-0 (0-30) Colts 4-0

                Wow, was this a big time hitting game between two great division 3 and division 2 leading teams, and despite the score the game was actually close for most of it. The Colts who have been dominating the division 2 ranks all season got a score on us in the first quarter and again late in the second and took a 0-12 lead into the half. A very good Colt defense held our LIONS at bay for most of the game stayed disciplined and took advantage of the LIONS “O” trying to press the ball down the field. That LION “D” was hitting hard and causing turn overs but we just couldn’t capitalize on them as the LIONS won the turn over battle 4-2. Three fumble recoveries by #36 Perry (one caused by #27 Rapp and another by #40 Larsh) and a pick by #38 Weiss as #21 Briggs rushed the QB and forced the bad pass. Special teams were great! As they denied (arguably) the best kicker in the league giving up 0 points and #7 Renkosiak pinned the Colts deep with great directional punting. The boys played great!!! They just got out played in this one.

                The Midget LIONS look to get their ROAR back this weekend as they take their division 3 leading record (3-1) into Hoffman Estates to play another division 2 team the (3-1) Red Hawks

As I said earlier, October is going to be very exciting!!! The November state play-off run is in full swing for our three older teams as this roller coaster ride is only half over. The weather is turning colder boys, keep yourselves healthy and your grades up… we need all of you on the gridiron to finish out this great season!!!!  

Big shout out to our cheerleaders who looked fantastic during the half time shows, their competition season starts soon and they are going to be tough to beat!! If you have never seen a cheer competition battle I highly recommend you go see these young ladies compete. You will not be disappointed…..

GO LIONS / LION PRIDE