Formidable, that’s for sure, is the football team that OPRF will host for its Homecoming game this weekend.
Glenbard West, ranked second in the state by several publications, rolls into Oak Park Stadium on Saturday (12:30 p.m.) undefeated at 4-0. Anchored by a defensive line that averages 215 pounds per man and boasts Penn State-bound Tommy Schutt, the Hilltoppers have yielded just 24 points in those four victories. Schutt (No. 10) won’t go unnoticed, not at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds. He’s also dabbled in running the ball. (No wonder Joe Pa likes him).
It’ll take every slice and dice move OPRF running back Jakari Cammon knows to keep the heavyweights at bay. Cammon has rushed for 100-plus yards in every game this season, most recently 160 in last week’s 35-7 loss to York — so there’s a chance that he, Jamal Baggett, Khali Hartzog and guys on the offensive line like Jacob Friesen, Brian Cole and Erik Oxnevad will keep OPRF moving. First-year head coach John Hoerster said his Huskies won’t be intimidated by their high-profile opponent.
“The guys have to remember that Glenbard West is a high school football team that just lives in a different suburb. We have to worry about us, and not get caught up about who we are playing. We need to work on our fundamentals.
“What it boils down to is we are playing a very good team,” he added. “If you want to become a good team you have to face these challenges.”
Prediction
To put a score on it would only complicate matters. Glenbard West will win the game, plain and simple. If I’m wrong, and I truly hope that I am, I promise I won’t stop writing about the upset for weeks, maybe months. Heck, I’ll work it into every sports section for the remainder of the school year. That’s a promise.