The IHSA football state playoffs resume this weekend with quarterfinal games from Class 1A all the way up to Class 8A. 64 teams have kept their dream alive of winning a state championship.
Unfortunately, the Fenwick and Oak Park and River Forest High School football teams were eliminated from contention, respectively, at the end of the regular season and second round of the playoffs.
While it’s frankly a bummer for everyone (including me) who follow the Friars and Huskies on a regular basis that the season is over, it’s a good time reflect and give thanks for this season.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I’m grateful for the opportunity to cover these two tradition-filled and classy programs. Independent of results this season, Fenwick and OPRF both played the game the right way in spite of some roller coaster moments during the season. In football terminology, prosperity and adversity were a Cover 2 formation regarding the Friars and Huskies fortunes this fall.
Fenwick certainly had its share of bumps and bruises en route to a surprisingly subpar 3-6 record. In fairness to the Friars, a plethora of injuries coupled with a tough schedule offered the team no favors. The toughest three teams Fenwick faced- Loyola, Montini and Phillips are 33-0, collectively, and are serious contenders in their respective class of the state playoffs.
The biggest issue for Fenwick, however, was a rash of injuries all season. If a grade was assigned to the Friars, I’d go with an Incomplete.
While head coach Gene Nudo won’t use injuries as an excuse for the team’s struggles this fall, the realilty is the Friars had 17 players miss games due to injury. The loss of key personnel like quarterback/tight end Casey O’Laughlin, offensive lineman Joe Calcagno, linebacker Brian Doyle and defensive lineman Joe Garibotti, among others, drained the Friars’ talent pool and left little to no room for error.
“The first game of the year we lost three guys to shoulder separations and we lost (Casey) O’Laughlin to a tricep tear,” Nudo said during the season. “Those kinds of things are devastating to a team that’s maybe not real deep.
“That being said, our kids have come out every day and worked their butts off. We demand a lot from our boys and I feel sorry for them because they deserve better. The future is bright for us; it just doesn’t feel that way today.”
It wasn’t exactly all gloom and doom, either, as Fenwick routed Bowen 41-0 and notched solid wins against DePaul Prep and Marmion Academy. In fact, take away the Friars’ gauntlet of games against Loyola, Montini and Phillips and they were a .500 ballclub (sans a full lineup).
Regardless, Nudo is spot on about the future. The Friars have something to prove next season and the talent to do it. Keep in mind and as well Fenwick was a state quarterfinalist in 2014 and has a history of success under Nudo.
The Friars return plenty of promising players next season, led by Calcagno, quarterback Jacob Keller, running back/wide receiver Conner Lillig, wide receiver Sherman Martin, tight end Jack Henige, linebacker Brett Moorman, defensive lineman Ellis Taylor, linebacker Ian Moran, and the O’Laughlin brothers, Casey (quarterback/tight end) and Mike (wide receiver).
Better times are ahead Friar fans. Actually, I wouldn’t even say better times as much as more wins.
I’d like to thank Nudo for his cooperation and help this season. Every season I’ve covered the Friars, Gene has been nothing but class. Ditto for the Fenwick coaching staff and players.
I’d also like to say thanks to the following Fenwick staff: athletic director Scott Thies, assistant athletic director Staunton Peck and public address announcer/girls basketball coach Dave Power as well as all the folks who made time in the press box both amusing and informative. Fenwick parent Marie Lillig also helped by allowing me to use her game photos in The Huddle. Thank you Marie! And thanks to Fenwick stats man extraordinaire Jim Nettleton.
Special thanks to Fenwick President, Rev. Richard Peddicord. Father Peddicord is truly one of the most pleasant, friendly people I’ve come across in over 20 years of covering high school sports. His pre-game prayer offers everyone attending Fenwick games a precious moment of peace and gratitude. He’s also just a really cool, fun dude.
Speaking of gratitude, heartfelt thanks to the OPRF football team as well. While I was only able to cover Fenwick in person three games (due to scheduling conflicts), I saw quite a bit of the Huskies this season.
OPRF finished 9-2 this season with a quick-strike offense and physical, fast defense. With the exception of a bad second half against Glenbard West, the Huskies rolled through the regular season and earned a No. 4 seed in the Class 8A playoffs. Pegged as a serious state title contender, OPRF earned a hard-fought 26-17 win over visiting Fremd in the opening round of the playoffs. In the second round, Palatine derailed the Huskies’ bid for a state title with a 41-26 victory at OPRF.
“Our team has a lot be proud about this year,” OPRF head coach John Hoerster said. “It’s really hard to put that in perspective now after such a tough loss. I just hope that they can look back years from now and feel good about what they accomplished. Our kids did some really great things this season.”
While all the OPRF players were so accommodating all season, particular props to seniors Jahmari Moore (great job with Jahmari’s Journal, #47!), Antonio Cannon (it’s been an honor Tone), Jamarri Watson, Keegan Smith, Cole Fields, Jay Heininger, James Cousin, Connor Nelson, Sam Francis, Evan Bell, Breshawn Wilkerson, Marcus Enriquez, Myles Thompson and the rest. Like previous senior classes, you guys have helped fuel the program’s resurgence under head coach John Hoerster.
Watching tears stream down the faces of so many players after the loss to Palatine was both difficult and touching to watch. Although I was aware how much the OPRF players (as well as the Fenwick kids) care about their team and the great sport of football, seeing rugged players like OPRF defensive end Allen Stallings and safety Rolliann Sturkey cry was revealing. I had more respect for them at that moment than any point during the season.
And by the way, Stallings and Sturkey will be fine. They are also key members of the OPRF wrestling team which will vie for its third start state title this winter. Easy rests the head that wears the crown, I guess.
Speaking of champions, I’d like to thank Hoerster and his entire coaching staff. I never asked or expected to feel like part of the team but you guys took me inside the huddle (pardon the pun) with your graciousness. The players were the same way. Although I am a proud Fenwick alum, I can also honestly say, “It’s a great day to be a Huskie.”
Thanks as always to OPRF Atheltic Director John Stelzer, Assistant Athletic Director Courtney Sakellaris and Director of Communications and Community Relations Karin Sullivan. Tip of the cap as well to OPRF alum/former Huskie football player, Tom Carraher, who sponsored The Huddle this season.
Like Fenwick, OPRF is blessed with a tremendous group of guys in the press box. Thanks to public address announcer Michael LeFevre, clock operator J.P. Coughlin, scoreboard operator Tom Clark, statistician Jim Zaino and spotter Tom Beinborn for all the invaluable information, but more importantly, laughs and good times this season.
Speaking of press, thanks to the Wednesday Journal team of web developer Mike Risher, editorial designer Jacquinete Baldwin, staff photographer William Camargo, freelance photographers Max Herman, Stacey Rupolo and Jennifer T. Lacey, and sportswriters Matt LeCren, Lauren Recchia and Bill Stone.
Another group I’d like to thank is what I’ll refer to as my “special teams” group. Thank you, thank you OPRF parents Johnnie and Christina Moore, Bryan and LaShonda Hunt (can’t wait to see Jeremy get in a full season next year!), Wendell Smith, Ron Scott, Adam Lemons and others whose faces I recognize but names I don’t know for your interest in The Huddle this season. Hanging out at practice and talking the nuts and bolts of OPRF football with Johnnie, Wendell and Ron was a blast!
I’d also like to give a shout out to Oak Park resident and huge Huskie fan Melvin Tate. Melvin commented on our stories as regularly as Stallings and Moore sacked a quarterback or Cannon and Watson ran for a big gain. Melvin’s support of OPRF football and interest in The Huddle was simply awesome. Thanks my man, you are the best.
And finally, muchas gracias to OPRF superfan/parent Jonna Borgdorff. You have my undying fealty and gratitude for your willingness to continually help with our our coverage of the Huskies.
Yes it’s true, 64 teams are alive in the state playoffs with dreams of a hoisting a state championship trophy. That’s both exciting and admirable. Between you and me though, I wouldn’t trade the Friars or Huskies for any of them.
See you next season!