West Chicago Wildcats Score Victory

West Chicago, Illinois - November 26, 2008 - Through the well-played games by the youths in the West Chicago Wildcats 100# Gold American Football Conference and the 115# Gold American Football Conference in the Bill George Football League, "the gold is twofold in West Chicago," said Frank Lenertz, president of the West Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners. the 100# team won the Super Bowl and the 115# was the runner-up in each of their respective conference games. The 100# team winning the Super Bowl is a first for the Wildcats. Both games took place Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Benedictine University in Lisle.

These conference wins did not come easily. In fact, the games were nail biters. The Wildcat 100# entered the playoffs with an 8-0 record. Winning the playoff position, the team faced a tense situation in the 10th game of the season. Entering the second half the score was 12-0 with the Hinsdale Falcons leading. Wanting to meet the goal of a win toward a championship position, the boys portrayed leadership skills foraging ahead to win 13-12. This gave the team a routing 10-0 record.

Members of the Super Bowl team 100# are Danny Lazzerini, Stevie Gutowski, Ricky Wagner, Michael Campos, Wes Kassaros, Blake Fialka, Jimmy Hieber, Dominick Tabor, Nick Lombardo, Michael Otzwirk, Matt Gedritis, Jake Paler, Peyton Seidler, Jale McCann, Carlos Rocha, Colin O'Kasick and Jacob Urban. Team players are sixth graders, who have participated in the league for approximately six years. the boys are from West Chicago, Winfield and St. Charles. Head coach is Joe Urban and Associate coaches are John Gedritis, Doug Lazzerini and Jim Lombardo.

Urban said, "The team, the coaches and their parents put forth much effort, maintaining sportsmanlike conduct and camaraderie at games."

Equally exciting was the final game between the Wildcat 115# and the Hanover Park Hurricanes. Actually, it seemed like a total loss for the local team entering the second half with a 24-0 score. The Wildcats surged forward with high energy, ending the game with a 24-19 score.

Members of the 115# team are Jordan Lelito, Isaiah Campos, Scott Oglanian, Tyler Pohl, Tim Handelman, Andrew Posadzy, Colin Lelito, Jimmy Montana, Michael Favia, David Theiner, Isidro Velaquez, Josh Noesges, Michael Langhammer, Grant Gable, Connor Kramer, Breenan Bosch and Jason Humphrey. The boys are from West Chicago, Winfield and Carol Stream. Head coach is Stan Kramer. Assistant coaches are Ben Kramer and Jerry Henning.

Kramer said, "I am so proud of everyone in the four years I have coached the boys. To make it to the Super Bowl is great and the majority of the team has made it for two our of the three previous seasons."

To acknowledge the feat of the teams, the Park District board presented each team member with a special plaque. Joe Urban, park district athletic supervisor, said, "The parents of the kids were impressed and excited with the board recognition."

Another side of the wins is the benefit to the sports feeder program to Community High School District 94. "We are sending boys who have played together consistently and, perhaps, contribute to a strong high school football team," said Urban. Although West Chicago youth have played in various teams in the BGFL since 1968, it was not until 1993 that it became part of the "umbrella" in the park district. The goal was to build and contribute to the strength of the high school sports sec ne.

The goals of the park district, BGFL, and the high school forge forward with the identical goals of teaching the basic fundamentals of the football atmosphere, and at the same time stressing sportsmanship, team work, safety and fun.

Merle Burleigh, West Park District Contributing writer