Will County-area athletes had an opportunity to show off their skills at Allstate Arena Saturday.
In the afternoon, the Homer Glen Stallions and Joliet Ravens battled in a widget football scrimmage as guests of the Chicago Rush.
At night, Rush kicker Mike Salerno, a former Sandburg High School standout, was scratched with an injury. In stepped Homer Glen native Nick Setta, who kicked 8 of 9 extra points including what turned out to be the game winner with four seconds to go in a 62-61 victory over Milwaukee in an Arena Football League thriller.
Setta is a former Lockport High School standout who kicked a state record 59-yard field goal and kicked 46 field goals for Notre Dame, the second most in school history.
He had a three-year career in the Canadian Football League and recorded two 97-yard punts. The 30-year-old runs Setta Performance athletic training at various area locations.
Meanwhile younger players from the area had a chance to show off their skills on the big stage. They got to run onto the field with the Rush players during the AFL game.
Joliet Ravens and Homer Stallions players pose after their scrimmage at Allstate Arena. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Rush)
Homer Glen assistant coach Patrick Gorman said his team was excited about playing the game. He said his organization has players from all around the south suburbs and parts of Chicago.
Players on the Homer Glen roster include Collin Schmutzler, Dylan Schmutzler, Alan Miliauskas, Shawn Gorman, Cullin Bulanda, Johnny Walczak, Lucas Vins, Zack Gorman, Jacob Vins, Donovan Kot, Joshua Steele, Spiros Poulos, Kolin Killacky, David Niemyjski, David D’Iorio, Conner Grist, Kyle Zator, Jake Zator, Grant Troike, Ethan Stewart, Raymond Bufka, Jordan Gracia, Carlos Feliciano, Carter Wideman and Andrew Gorman.
The Mustangs draw from Joliet, Romeoville, Lockport, Crest Hill and Shorewood.
Players on the Joliet roster include Parker Beene, James Brody, Jordan Carey, Kameron Chigi, Cevyn Crawford, Deangelo Fernandez, Jason Gross, Amare Hill, Cameron Hosey, Patrick Hug, Landon Jaime, Nathan Jodison, Luke Mesquita, Anthony Nava, Jaden Ruiz, Julius Smith, Jalen Turley, John Wojokowski, Logan Zartler, Ethan Mariano, Ryan Caudle and Donavan Dehoyos.
“To have people in the stands like this and cheering in a big arena is a great opportunity for the kids,” said Ravens president Frank Bermudez. “This is something they will always be able to talk about. It’s an experience that most kids don’t get the opportunity to do. This was like going to Disneyland for some of these kids.”
