Adam Lemke-Bell, left, and Riley State were emotional as they walked off the field, Saturday. (DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer)
Glenbard West running back Sam Brodner, 4, is brought down by three Huskies. (DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer)
A pair of young fans strike a dejected pose as time in the fourth quarter ran down. (DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer)
Disbelief washed over the Huskie sideline after an official called a receiver out of bounds in the end zone. (DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer)
Oak Park and River Forest High School football coach John Hoerster gave his players 24 hours to feel bad about the loss.
“This will not define you; this will not define your season,” Hoerster told his players circled around him, some crying, after a 28-14 loss at Glenbard West Saturday.
The game has no bearing on the Huskies’ playoff run, but to beat such a storied team would have been considered a season highlight, especially for the seniors.
Coaches are hoping for lessons learned and that the players will focus the pain of losing on future opponents, like visiting Lyons Township this Friday night.
