Warren quartet ready to make noise
By Mike Garofola
Fans of PSG have the tremendous trident of Cavani, Mbappe and Neymar to thrill them. Liverpool backers relish their trio of Firmino, Mane and Salah.
Players like these are what the public yearns for in the international game.
The prep game has its own brand of top players who honor the game both on and off the field.
Fans of Warren soccer are fortunate to have a fabulous foursome to be proud of in seniors Max Floriani, Sebastian Rodriguez, Alex Senko, and Ishaan (Ish) Shah. The group leads a Blue Devil team currently ranked no. 3 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25.
As the spine of the 2019 squad, the quartet helped Warren outscore its opponents 66-25, post a 16-4-4 record and compete for a sectional final.
The group of great friends were brought together for the 2018 campaign for manager Jason Ahonens' varsity club as sophomores. They have played key roles in the resurgence of Blue Devils soccer.
"I was not happy with where our program was at during the freshmen year of these guys," said Ahonen, who in 2012 led the Blue Devils to the Class 3A state title, which featured the Illinois coaches Player of the Year Daniel Szczepanek (Marquette) running the show.
"I was looking to find players that could help us get back to being one of the top programs in the state. These guys, along with a few others, gave us the chance at doing so.
"I knew that first year when they were sophomores there would be some bumps in the road, but I was hoping when they were seniors, we could make that run at winning titles in our conference and the postseason."
This group helped their club go from just 7-7-5 as sophomores to nine more wins as juniors and a no. 13 state rank in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50 poll.
"It was a little overwhelming being up with the varsity as a sophomore, but (Ahonen) is a great coach. His belief in me from the start led me to getting plenty of minutes to help me get comfortable playing at the higher level," says Senko, who has played together with Floriani since second grade, and Rodriguez and Shah since middle school.
"The adjustment to playing up is more about being strong mentally and physically," said Rodriguez, who last November committed to play at Roosevelt University, where he will study Exercise Science. “The physical part was tough because none of us were that strong at the time. I was able to start a few games, which really helped my confidence at the time.”
The positive changes the players made were evident to their coach.
"Sebastian is a very creative player with a wonderful feel for the game, who brings everyone together, young and old," said Ahonen, who deploys both Rodriguez and Shah in the center of the park in front of Senko and Floriani. “I've seen a big change in his physique from when he first entered school as a freshman, and he has become a better player and student in each semester.”
Senko, who hopes to attend his no. 1 college choice of Northern Michigan nex fall, impresses Ahonen at several levels.
"Alex is the quiet guy who does the dirty work behind the scenes so others can shine,” he said. “He has continued to improve his touch and feel for the game while playing smart, simple soccer. He holds things down for us and switches the point of attack."
That the Blue Devils manager calls Senko one of his 'quiet' guys leads us to one question posed to all four which would elicit the most entertaining responses for this reporter from these young men.
The Warren quartet have a lot of laughs together. When asked who was the funniest of the group, Senko took little time to choose himself, though Rodriguez quickly countered by giving Floriani his vote.
Shah wasted little time to say there was no way either teammate was funnier than him, before adding Floriani as his 1A.
Floriani, ever the diplomat, cap this amusing take by saying all of his friends are funny guys, but concluded by suggesting he may be “just” ahead of the others in the humor department.
Floriani ranked as the most competitive, which Rodriguez has used as a way to “mess” with his good friend during training.
"Max is such a great player and really competitive," said Rodriguez. “When were in certain drills at practice, I like to try to get into his head as much as I can.”
Floriani concurred.
"Whether it's a board game, ping-pong, or, of course, soccer, I am very competitive," he said.
"Ish is a close second in my opinion, but with ‘Sebas’ trying to get into my head - it's … difficult not to bite back and give him a taste of his own medicine.
"We always go back-and-forth at one another when we're competing. It's just the way we are."
Shah shares Floriani hyper-competitive spirit. He remembers the tough challenge presented to him as a skinny,130-pound sophomore playing with the big boys three years ago. Now at 160 pounds, he doesn’t back down in the 50-50 skirmishes expected while playing the no. 8 for the Blue Devils.
"I got a few matches in as a freshman with the varsity and saw a lot of time the next year,” he said. “It knew that the culture in and around our program had to change beginning with our class.
"Alex, Max, ‘Sebas’ and myself were the guys that could bring about that change if we wanted to be a team that would compete at the highest state level.”
Ahonen said: "Ish has an unbelievable work rate. He's continued to work on improving his strength and speed and is the guy who helps get us organized. He makes sure we're all on the same page."
The affable senior is weighing his college options. He may play at Carthage College, attend Michigan for business honors program or matriculate at Illinois.
While Floriani and Shah lead in the most competitive category, all four have a fire in their bellies this season fueled by the disappointing 4-1 sectional final defeat to Fremd.
Prior to the contest, the venue location changed due to field conditions. The game was moved to Glenbrook South, where the lengthy opener between Evanston and St. Patrick pushed the start time late into the evening.
Additionally, Warren and Fremd played in dreadful conditions which included a cold wind and a constant mix of rain and snow.
"It was a terrible night, but from the get-go we did not meet the intensity that Fremd brought," Senko said.
"That night and result has stayed with us, and all of us will not let that happen again this season, regardless of the game we're playing in."
"Looking back, the focus in that game with Fremd was nowhere where it needed to be,” Rodriguez added. “We all know it has to be (there) right from the start of this season, because the sky is the limit for this team.”
Although the IHSA boys’ season has been denied a postseason, which robs clubs like Warren the chance to compete for a big trophy, both Floriani and Shah say it will not change how they and their mates approach the shortened 2021 campaign.
"There were no excuses for that result with Fremd," began Shah. “It left a real bitter taste in my mouth, and I am sure with everyone else who is back from that team.
"Even though we won't have the chance to get back to a sectional final, and more, we're going to keep our foot on the gas pedal from the very start - never letting down - so we can reach our goal of winning a North Suburban Conference title, which has only happened two or three times in program history."
"That loss to Fremd stung for quite a while," admitted Floriani.
"It was a frustrating game and when it looked like we might not even have a soccer season this year, it made that loss even worse. None of us seniors wanted to see their high school soccer career end like that.
"However, I do feel fortunate that we're going to have a season, and even though it will be a shortened one, I am happy for all of us, and Iook forward to the team going after the goals we've set forth."
Floriani, the most celebrated member of the quartet, earned Chicagoland Soccer and IHSSCA All-State honors after a sensational junior campaign which saw him bag 17 goals and collect six helpers.
"A lot of my success comes from being around a great bunch of teammates, and two fantastic coaches in Ahonen and Doogie Clark," said Floriani.
"It was Doogie who, in fact, suggested to me to move from my spot as a center back, where I've played my whole soccer life to the (eight). And I've really enjoyed the role of a defensive center-midfielder."
Clark, who hails from Scotland, was a professional player overseas.
Floriani had his pick between Division I schools De Paul, Loyola and St. Louis, He chose to commit to St. Louis, the school which produced perhaps the best USA-born player in Arlington Heights’ Brian McBride.
"From the minute I got there, I knew it was a perfect fit for me," he said.
"I know I'll be able to achieve success, on and off the field. SLU is top-tier all the way, and to be have that perfect blend of academics and soccer is what I was looking for."
No doubt Ahonen and the Warren soccer program are fortunate to have their own Fab Four – a group capable of leading the Blue Devils to big things this spring and providing the foundation for a bright future.
By Mike Garofola
Fans of PSG have the tremendous trident of Cavani, Mbappe and Neymar to thrill them. Liverpool backers relish their trio of Firmino, Mane and Salah.
Players like these are what the public yearns for in the international game.
The prep game has its own brand of top players who honor the game both on and off the field.
Fans of Warren soccer are fortunate to have a fabulous foursome to be proud of in seniors Max Floriani, Sebastian Rodriguez, Alex Senko, and Ishaan (Ish) Shah. The group leads a Blue Devil team currently ranked no. 3 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25.
As the spine of the 2019 squad, the quartet helped Warren outscore its opponents 66-25, post a 16-4-4 record and compete for a sectional final.
The group of great friends were brought together for the 2018 campaign for manager Jason Ahonens' varsity club as sophomores. They have played key roles in the resurgence of Blue Devils soccer.
"I was not happy with where our program was at during the freshmen year of these guys," said Ahonen, who in 2012 led the Blue Devils to the Class 3A state title, which featured the Illinois coaches Player of the Year Daniel Szczepanek (Marquette) running the show.
"I was looking to find players that could help us get back to being one of the top programs in the state. These guys, along with a few others, gave us the chance at doing so.
"I knew that first year when they were sophomores there would be some bumps in the road, but I was hoping when they were seniors, we could make that run at winning titles in our conference and the postseason."
This group helped their club go from just 7-7-5 as sophomores to nine more wins as juniors and a no. 13 state rank in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50 poll.
"It was a little overwhelming being up with the varsity as a sophomore, but (Ahonen) is a great coach. His belief in me from the start led me to getting plenty of minutes to help me get comfortable playing at the higher level," says Senko, who has played together with Floriani since second grade, and Rodriguez and Shah since middle school.
"The adjustment to playing up is more about being strong mentally and physically," said Rodriguez, who last November committed to play at Roosevelt University, where he will study Exercise Science. “The physical part was tough because none of us were that strong at the time. I was able to start a few games, which really helped my confidence at the time.”
The positive changes the players made were evident to their coach.
"Sebastian is a very creative player with a wonderful feel for the game, who brings everyone together, young and old," said Ahonen, who deploys both Rodriguez and Shah in the center of the park in front of Senko and Floriani. “I've seen a big change in his physique from when he first entered school as a freshman, and he has become a better player and student in each semester.”
Senko, who hopes to attend his no. 1 college choice of Northern Michigan nex fall, impresses Ahonen at several levels.
"Alex is the quiet guy who does the dirty work behind the scenes so others can shine,” he said. “He has continued to improve his touch and feel for the game while playing smart, simple soccer. He holds things down for us and switches the point of attack."
That the Blue Devils manager calls Senko one of his 'quiet' guys leads us to one question posed to all four which would elicit the most entertaining responses for this reporter from these young men.
The Warren quartet have a lot of laughs together. When asked who was the funniest of the group, Senko took little time to choose himself, though Rodriguez quickly countered by giving Floriani his vote.
Shah wasted little time to say there was no way either teammate was funnier than him, before adding Floriani as his 1A.
Floriani, ever the diplomat, cap this amusing take by saying all of his friends are funny guys, but concluded by suggesting he may be “just” ahead of the others in the humor department.
Floriani ranked as the most competitive, which Rodriguez has used as a way to “mess” with his good friend during training.
"Max is such a great player and really competitive," said Rodriguez. “When were in certain drills at practice, I like to try to get into his head as much as I can.”
Floriani concurred.
"Whether it's a board game, ping-pong, or, of course, soccer, I am very competitive," he said.
"Ish is a close second in my opinion, but with ‘Sebas’ trying to get into my head - it's … difficult not to bite back and give him a taste of his own medicine.
"We always go back-and-forth at one another when we're competing. It's just the way we are."
Shah shares Floriani hyper-competitive spirit. He remembers the tough challenge presented to him as a skinny,130-pound sophomore playing with the big boys three years ago. Now at 160 pounds, he doesn’t back down in the 50-50 skirmishes expected while playing the no. 8 for the Blue Devils.
"I got a few matches in as a freshman with the varsity and saw a lot of time the next year,” he said. “It knew that the culture in and around our program had to change beginning with our class.
"Alex, Max, ‘Sebas’ and myself were the guys that could bring about that change if we wanted to be a team that would compete at the highest state level.”
Ahonen said: "Ish has an unbelievable work rate. He's continued to work on improving his strength and speed and is the guy who helps get us organized. He makes sure we're all on the same page."
The affable senior is weighing his college options. He may play at Carthage College, attend Michigan for business honors program or matriculate at Illinois.
While Floriani and Shah lead in the most competitive category, all four have a fire in their bellies this season fueled by the disappointing 4-1 sectional final defeat to Fremd.
Prior to the contest, the venue location changed due to field conditions. The game was moved to Glenbrook South, where the lengthy opener between Evanston and St. Patrick pushed the start time late into the evening.
Additionally, Warren and Fremd played in dreadful conditions which included a cold wind and a constant mix of rain and snow.
"It was a terrible night, but from the get-go we did not meet the intensity that Fremd brought," Senko said.
"That night and result has stayed with us, and all of us will not let that happen again this season, regardless of the game we're playing in."
"Looking back, the focus in that game with Fremd was nowhere where it needed to be,” Rodriguez added. “We all know it has to be (there) right from the start of this season, because the sky is the limit for this team.”
Although the IHSA boys’ season has been denied a postseason, which robs clubs like Warren the chance to compete for a big trophy, both Floriani and Shah say it will not change how they and their mates approach the shortened 2021 campaign.
"There were no excuses for that result with Fremd," began Shah. “It left a real bitter taste in my mouth, and I am sure with everyone else who is back from that team.
"Even though we won't have the chance to get back to a sectional final, and more, we're going to keep our foot on the gas pedal from the very start - never letting down - so we can reach our goal of winning a North Suburban Conference title, which has only happened two or three times in program history."
"That loss to Fremd stung for quite a while," admitted Floriani.
"It was a frustrating game and when it looked like we might not even have a soccer season this year, it made that loss even worse. None of us seniors wanted to see their high school soccer career end like that.
"However, I do feel fortunate that we're going to have a season, and even though it will be a shortened one, I am happy for all of us, and Iook forward to the team going after the goals we've set forth."
Floriani, the most celebrated member of the quartet, earned Chicagoland Soccer and IHSSCA All-State honors after a sensational junior campaign which saw him bag 17 goals and collect six helpers.
"A lot of my success comes from being around a great bunch of teammates, and two fantastic coaches in Ahonen and Doogie Clark," said Floriani.
"It was Doogie who, in fact, suggested to me to move from my spot as a center back, where I've played my whole soccer life to the (eight). And I've really enjoyed the role of a defensive center-midfielder."
Clark, who hails from Scotland, was a professional player overseas.
Floriani had his pick between Division I schools De Paul, Loyola and St. Louis, He chose to commit to St. Louis, the school which produced perhaps the best USA-born player in Arlington Heights’ Brian McBride.
"From the minute I got there, I knew it was a perfect fit for me," he said.
"I know I'll be able to achieve success, on and off the field. SLU is top-tier all the way, and to be have that perfect blend of academics and soccer is what I was looking for."
No doubt Ahonen and the Warren soccer program are fortunate to have their own Fab Four – a group capable of leading the Blue Devils to big things this spring and providing the foundation for a bright future.