Advanced Metrics is the empirical analysis of sports, particularly statistics that measure in-game productivity and efficiency. It’s become the norm in several professional sports and is already trickling down to college and high school athletics.
Then again, and with a tip of the cap to Advanced Metric pioneer Bill James and friends, the only “number” that truly counts is 1, as in getting that ‘W’ every time a team takes the field of competition.
In that regard, the Oak Park and River Forest High School football team got the job done eight out of nine games during the regular season. The Huskies did a masterful job of (to steal a line from Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon) putting together a bunch of one-game winning streaks. In fact, other than one lackluster second half against Glenbard West, OPRF was well-positioned to win every game.
Unequivocally, OPRF also passes the eyeball test with athletic freaks of nature like Allen Stallings, Jahmari Moore and Antonio Cannon, among others.
On offense, the Huskies thrive with their explosive backfield of Cannon and Jamarri Watson. Both are experienced, versatile senior running backs who are a threat to score every time they touch the ball. Keegan Smith has performed well at quarterback after previous starter Jeremy Hunt was lost for the season due to an injury.
The Huskies also feature a young offensive line and several rangy, athletic targets in the wide receiving corps. Seniors Jay Heininger and James Cousin lead the O line, complemented by a terrific group of juniors in Jacob Hales, Sharmore Clarke, Ethan Lemons and Noah Coplan. Following their lead blocks, Cannon has been in an absolute zone lately, rushing for 299 yards in two games to close the regular season.
“Those guys pave the way for Jamarri (Watson) and I to get to the next level of the defense,” Cannon said after the win over Hinsdale Central game. “It all starts up front with them. They have done a tremendous job all season.”
Over the past two weeks, OPRF outscored Hinsdale Central and Lyons Township 74-14 so the offense appears in full flight.
Speaking of full flight, the ascension of the defense has been both expected and remarkable, Coming into the season, head coach John Hoerster knew that the Huskies’ defense was ahead of the curve compared to the Huskies’ offense. Turns out the defense was ahead of virtually every offense in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division.
“Our guys are well-versed when Friday night comes,” said OPRF defensive coordinator Tim Fischer. “We have a great mix of speed and toughness. The young men we have are physical and are athletic enough to cover sideline to sideline. This certainly has been one of our most athletic groups on defense in our five years at OPRF.”
OPRF saved its best for last too, with a frighteningly dominant display defensively against highly regarded Hinsdale Central. The Huskies shut down the Red Devils’ top running back Christian Bobak. From there, it was essentially jail break to get to Hinsdale Central quarterbacks Michael Sessa and Josh Bean. Stallings produced a particularly punishing hit on Bean.
If OPRF maintains that level of defensive play, led by Division I prospects Stallings and Moore, a run all the way to the Class 8A title is conceivable.
But to paraphrase another famous line, this time from the inimitable Bob Marley, the Huskies’ must also remember, “in their bright future, they can’t forget their past.
So here’s a walk down memory lane this season…by the numbers
Regular season results
OPRF 14, Lincoln-Way East 13
OPRF 35, Addison Trail 7
OPRF 42, Morton 14
OPRF 41, Proviso West 0
OPRF 44, Downers Grove North 20
OPRF 21, York 6
Glenbard West 34, OPRF 7
OPRF 35, Lyons Township 7
OPRF 39, Hinsdale Central 7
Stats thru 9 regular season games
Offensive team stats: 278 points scored, 30.9 points per game, 147 first downs (86 rushing, 50 passing, 11 penalties), third-down conversions 36/104 (34.6 percent), 3,327 yards of total offense and 9 turnovers
Defensive team stats: 108 points allowed, 12 points per game, 24 sacks, 9 interceptions, 78 pass breakups, 14 takeaways
Individual stats (Offense)
Leaders
Passing:
Jeremy Hunt 76-for-137, 796 yards, 6 TDs, 5 Int., 55.5 pass completion percentage, 111.4 quarterback rating
Keegan Smith 42-for-70, 432 yards, 3 TDs, 0 Int., 60 percent pass completion, 126 quartback rating
Rushing:
Antonio Cannon 109 carries for 959 yards, 9 TDs (106.6 yards per game)
Jamarri Watson (84 carries for 556 yards, 7 TDs (61.8 yards per game)
Jeremy Hunt 38 carries for 190 yards, 3 TDs
Keegan Smith 30 carries for 147 yards, 2 TDs
Marcus Enriquez 17 carries for 93 yards, TD
Pete O’Connell 10 carries for 72 yards
Receiving:
Cole Fields 32 catches for 238 yards
Breshawn Wilkerson 19 catches for 211 yards, TD
Jamarri Watson 19 catches for 199 yards, 2 TDs
Davion Talbert 9 catches for 142 yards, 3 TDs
Jeremy Gaines 7 catches for 107 yards
Miles Thompson 3 catches for 93 yards, TD
Jared Scott 8 catches for 79 yards, TD
Antonio Cannon 9 catches for 57 yards
All-purpose yards:
Antonio Cannon 1,071 yards
Jamarri Watson 910 yards
Individual stats (Defense)
Leaders:
Jahmari Moore 50.5 tackles, 4 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 2 Int.
Evan Bell 45.5 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 Int.
Rollliann Sturkey 43 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles
Keyon Blankenbaker 36.5 tackles, 27 pass breakups, 3 Int.
Allen Stallings 33.5 tackles, 5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss
Connor Nelson 33 tackles, 4 sacks, 9 tackles for loss
Ryan Molina 29.5 tackles, 2 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 Int.
Sam Francis 28.5 tackles, ½ sack, 2.5 tackles for loss
Sean Woods 16.5 tackles, 7 pass breakups, Int
Austin Maxwell 15 tackles
Breshawn Wilkerson 13.5 tackles, 1 Int.
Christopher Banks-Mitchell 11 tackles
Kohri Blair 10 tackles
Special teams:
Keegan Smith 3-for-4 field goals, 33-for-36 extra points
Jeremy Hunt 21 punts for 638 yards (30.4 yards per punt)
Keegan Smith 13 punts for 383 yards (29.5 yards per punt)
Jamarri Watson 7 kick returns for 147 yards
Rolliann Sturkey 6 punt returns for 45 yards
Cole Fields 4 punt returns for 23 yards