After fumbling the ball four times and giving up 20 points to OPRF, the embattled Fenger football team made a bee-line for the locker room. The only problem was it was only the end of the first quarter.
When the Titans became aware of their mistake and returned to the field, OPRF poured on another 29 points en route to a 49-0 thumping in front of a large crowd at Oak Park Stadium in the Huskies’ season and home opener on Friday night.
The highlight of the night ended up being former OPRF star athlete Eric Kumerow having his high school jersey No. 14 retired at halftime. Kumerow, who went on to play three seasons in the NFL and was joined by his wife and children at midfield, gave an impromptu speech that brought cheers as he heralded his former high school team and thanked his and all parents of high school athletes in the stands. The former Huskie was a bit reluctant to give up the microphone. It may have had something to do with the yawner on the field that, thankfully, forced a running clock with 6:37 left in the first half.
That’s not to take away from OPRF’s play. The Huskies, who were without Division I hopeful and defensive specialist Nile Sykes due to a hairline fracture in his right foot suffered during his team’s scrimmage the week before, played well. Star running back Jakari Cammon’s fumble on the opening drive was long forgotten after Michael Hayden scored from 13 yards out and the Huskies’ defense tackled Fenger quarterback Lance Johnson in the end zone for a safety just five seconds later. Sophomore starting quarterback Lloyd Yates scampered 61 yards for a TD and tossed a 22-yarder to Ryan Nelson.
Cammon closed out the scoring in the opening quarter with a nine yard touchdown run.
Fenger’s lack of personnel stemmed from their former head coach leaving for Chicago Vocational Career Academy and taking nine players with him.
“I feel bad for Fenger,” said OPRF head coach John Hoerster of the Titans, who only had 13 reserves on the sideline when their starters were playing. “They’ve had a rough transition, but they played with class tonight.”
As for his own team, Hoerster, who is beginning his second year at the helm, was pleased overall with the performance.
“The young kid at QB did well, and we gained some experience,” he said. “Everyone played hard, but we still have a long way to go.”
The Huskies scored again with 9:17 left in second quarter by recovering a fumble in the end zone on a punt attempt. Jacob Lintvelt, coming off a foot injury of his own, spelled Yates with 7:10 left in the first half. The junior quickly connected with Nelson for a 17-yard touchdown pass, forcing the running clock. He scored again in the fourth quarter on a run.
Hoerster said Sykes, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound junior, could be back for OPRF’s game against West Suburban (Silver) Conference powerhouse Glenbard West in four weeks, but called it a “best-case scenario.”
“It’s his teammates’ job to carry the load while he’s out,” said Hoerster. “I believe they have the ability to do that and more.”
The Huskies travel west on Madison Street next Saturday to take on Proviso East in Maywood (1:30 p.m.).