Growing up in Oswego, junior running back Dekker Zelensek is well aware of how football is played here on the varsity level. It’s a bruising style, and he’s a bruising ball carrier.
The Panthers have long been a no-nonsense, hard-nosed program that specializes in running the ball and playing solid defense. It also suits the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Zelensek just fine.
He was made for this approach.
“We just pound the ball,” Zelensek said. “Our game plan is to pound the ball to open up the pass. We came out a little slow, but we picked it up and it started working. We started doing it.”
The host Panthers got it done Friday night in the third quarter, with Zelensek breaking through for a 25-yard touchdown run in a 21-7 victory over Waubonsie Valley in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs.
During the first half, Oswego (10-0) settled for two field goals by junior kicker Kaleb Stumpenhorst. Ayden Villa added a 10-yard TD run for the Panthers, who will play York in the second round.
Zelensek finished with 95 yards on 10 carries, while Villa added 143 yards on 19 carries as Oswego once again executed its game plan to perfection.
Waubonsie (5-5) stayed in the game on the strength of the arm of senior quarterback Josh Siekierski. He completed 20 of 38 passes for 212 yards and an interception. Chrisjan Simmons rushed for 62 yards on 16 carries, including a 9-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
Zelensek has had chances to star this season, but injuries forced the Panthers to continually look for help in the backfield. He led the Panthers to a win over Bolingbrook with Villa injured.
Then Zelensek got hurt against Yorkville and Lucas Andersen stepped in.
Now, they’re all healthy and experienced, making the Panthers even more dangerous.
“It’s just a carousel of running backs,” Oswego coach Brian Cooney said. “Dekker has been out since Yorkville. That was the game he was filling in for Ayden, so it’s the next-man-up mentality.
“Whether it’s Dekker or Ayden or Lucas or Dylan (King), the common thread is the dudes up front. They’ve done a phenomenal job all year.”
Oswego moved the ball in the first half Friday, but Zelensek could tell a breakout was coming. He provided that moment with a 25-yard TD run that came in his typical style — right up the middle.
“We just needed to complete a drive in the second half and see what happens,” Zelensek said. “It was just a great feeling. I knew it was going to happen if we kept pounding the ball, and it worked.
“We just have so many guys that can make plays. It wasn’t waiting my turn. I’m ready to go whenever they need me.”
Waubonsie hung around early, however, with two missed field goals and an interception in the end zone keeping the Warriors off the scoreboard.
It allowed Oswego the time to be patient and allow its standard game plan to eventually bear fruit.
“We knew the level of this program,” Waubonsie coach Adam Pucylowski said. “Our kids were excited about it. All season, when we’ve had opportunities to play some physical teams, we’ve never backed down.
“Josh and Chrisjan have really started to hit their stride. They had opportunities. I’m very proud of our kids.”
The Panthers now turn their attention to York (8-2), and Cooney won’t apologize for the kind of game his team plays. After all, it has led to an undefeated record.
“If you’re looking for flashy football, until Jeremiah Cain or Teddy (Manikas) do something, you’re not going to be overly thrilled when you come here,” Cooney said. “My job is not to sell tickets. It’s to win games.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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