The Oak Park and River Forest High School football team had speed to burn last year. In the long run, however, the Huskies were painfully reminded that each season truly is a marathon not a sprint.
No one took that lesson more to heart than head coach John Hoerster.
After a blistering 5-0 start in which the Huskies outscored their opponents 216-71, the team struggled the second half of the season losing 3 of 5 games to finish 7-3 overall.
“I think maybe we hit our peak at midseason last year,” Hoerster said. “I’ll put that on myself. The season is a grind; we wore down a bit. I should have done a better job involving more players. One of the things we’re focusing on this season is steady improvement. We are going to have better depth, fresher bodies and less two-way players.”
Since the Huskies graduated several key players, notably quarterback Lloyd Yates, offensive lineman Adam Lemke-Bell (both at Northwestern) and offensive lineman Phil Berton (Dartmouth), strength in numbers instead of star power will serve as the squad’s modus operandi. That’s not to say OPRF doesn’t possess a wealth of talent, it’s just more evenly distributed this fall.
“We have so many great athletes,” OPRF senior offensive lineman James Cousin said. “I think a lot of our second-team players could start at other schools. Most importantly, our team is about we and not I. Personal stats and who scores touchdowns aren’t as important as winning.
“To be honest, it’s not going to be easy but I think we can win it all. Our defense isn’t going to give up many points and our offense is going to get it in [the end zone] any way we can whether it’s on the ground or through the air.”
If Cousin’s optimism seems extreme, keep in mind that the senior and junior classes finished 17-1, collectively during two seasons on the sophomore level.
“It’s two pretty special classes,” Hoerster said about his upperclassmen. “These players just have a way about them. They expect to win but they know it’s not going to be given to them. These kids are talented but they also work hard and genuinely get along with each other.”
In terms of personnel, the biggest void to fill is obviously at quarterback. As a three-year starter, Yates accounted for a school-record 72 touchdowns and led the Huskies to 23 wins as an excellent dual threat quarterback. 6-3, 210-pound junior Jeremy Hunt has earned the job as Yates’ replacement although 6-1, 200-pound senior Keegan Smith could likely see playing time.
“They had a good competition over the summer and Jeremy is just a little bit ahead,” Hoerster said. “Jeremy has a ways to go but he has a high ceiling and is a big, strong, smart and athletic kid. I talked with both Jeremy and Keegan and I’m not granting tenure here. It’s going to be a battle throughout the season. I want them to compete for playing time based on their performance in games and practice.”
That kind of healthy competition will exist at multiple positions on both sides of the ball. Running backs Antonio Cannon (117 carries/842 yards, 10 TDs last season) and Jamarri Watson (5.5 yards per carry in 2014) comprise an explosive and proven backfield, while a cadre of wide receivers including seniors Cole Fields, Breshawn Wilkerson, Airmando Flores and Myles Thompson along with juniors Jeremy Gaines, Davion Talbert and Jared Scott offer plenty of speed and size to the passing game.
Like Yates, replacing Lemke-Bell and Berton along the offensive line won’t be easy, but the 6-0, 260-pound Cousin at left tackle, junior left guard Sharmore Clarke (5-10, 200), senior center Jay Heininger (5-10, 255), junior right guard/tackle Jacob Hale (6-2, 275) and junior offensive linemen Ethan Lemmons and Noah Copeland (both 6-3, 210) are eager for the challenge.
While the offense has tremendous potential, defense will likely be the Huskies’ calling card all season. Hoerster believes the team is 17 or 18 players deep defensively.
Three-year starter Allen Stallings (42.5 tackles, 3 sacks last season) is a good pass rusher and drawing recruiting interest from Illinois, Illinois State, Northern Illinois, Michigan State and Indiana. Austin Maxwell, Connor Nelson, Ravon Woods and Eddie Gorens comprise the rest of the defensive line.
Jahmari Moore (30 tackles last season), another Division I recruit, will anchor the defense with his rangy athleticism, complemented by hard-hitting middle linebackers Sam Francis (30.5 tackles last season), Evan Bell and Kohri Blair. Wilkerson, Ryan Molina and Wesley Cheatham are the outside linebackers.
The secondary appears very promising with cornerbacks Sean Woods and Keyon Blankenbaker and safeties Rollian Sturkey, Treyvon Burton and Brendan Flowers. The ballhawking Sturkey burst onto the scene last season with 30.5 tackles and 8 pass breakups.
Sturkey will also return punts while Watson and Gaines will return kicks. Jeremy Moore is the punter and Smith the kicker.
“We’re looking good right now,” Jahmari Moore said. “We have great chemistry on and off the field, but we need a week by week approach. It’s a long season so there’s going to be times when things go crazy or we experience some frustration. That’s when our chemistry needs to keep us together and hold each other accountable.”
While Glenbard West is the preseason favorite to repeat at West Suburban Conference Silver Division champs, OPRF should be right on the Hilltoppers’ heels in what’s currently the most intriguing matchup in the conference.
In reality though, the Huskies cannot afford to overlook any team on their difficult schedule.
“We open up at home against Lincoln-Way East and Addison Trail,” Hoerster said. “Then, in no particular order we will play tough conference teams like Proviso West Hinsdale Central, Lyons Township, Glenbard West, Downers North and York plus Morton.
“But that’s what drew me to Oak Park, especially coming from Mount Carmel. I love being a part of a great conference where every game has meaning and fans pack the place.”
Entering his fifth season at OPRF, Hoerster has a 26-15 record and quickly rebuilt the program in terms of both success and visibility. Despite the big picture progress, the Huskies remember the empty feeling of losing to Barrington 39-15 in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs last Halloween.
“The past few years I don’t think we have quite lived up to expectations,” Stallings said. “I don’t want that feeling again. This team wants to reach the highest level.”