Each season, high school football players look forward to their annual Homecoming game. They see it as an opportunity to put on a show in front of not only their classmates and families, but also all the alumni who return to campus.
On Sept. 27, Fenwick High School was scheduled to play its Homecoming game against De La Salle at Triton College. Unfortunately, the game was forfeited due to De La Salle having declining roster numbers as the Meteors were down to just 17 varsity players available.
While the forfeit victory improved the Friars’ record to 4-1 (1-0 in the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference White Division), Fenwick senior linebacker Jack Paris was disappointed about losing an opportunity to compete.
“Obviously you’re bummed about a missed opportunity to play football,” Paris said. “That’s what we all love to do. But looking more deeply and talking with guys on the team, it’s a really good opportunity for us to get a lot of reps and get accustomed to St. Laurence [Fenwick’s next opponent].”
St. Laurence (5-0, 1-0) was runner-up in last year’s IHSA Class 3A playoffs. The Vikings have outscored their opponents this season by a combined margin of 197-29 and are very tough to defeat on their own field, where this week’s game is.
But Paris says motivation won’t be an issue for the Friars. He remembers last year when they had the same 4-1 record after Week 5, but dropped their final four games to miss the playoffs and end their season.
“That’s been a huge topic in practice,” Paris said. “We were 4-5 last year, and whenever that comes out of my mouth, it’s the most bitter thing. We controlled our destiny but didn’t get the job done.
“What I’ve been telling the guys is we can’t stay complacent,” he added. “Last year, we weren’t striving to be our best, so this year we’re making it known that every game is a must-win. The playoffs have come early; this week is a playoff game, and we need everybody ready to go and not get in over our heads.”
Paris does like where the Friars are at this point of the season and feels it’s important to keep doing what they’ve done so far to keep the momentum going.
“We’re in a good place,” he said, “and we’re all very hungry coming off this bye week. Every day, we have a shot to be better than we were the day before.”
The CCL/ESCC White Division showdown between Fenwick and St. Laurence kicks off at 7:30 pm, Oct. 4, in near southwest suburban Burbank.
OPRF
The Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity put forth a good effort at Downers Grove North on Sept. 27 in their West Suburban Silver contest.
However, the host Trojans (5-0, 3-0) gradually pulled away to hand the Huskies (1-4, 1-2) a 28-7 defeat.
Liam Smith scored OPRF’s only touchdown on a 1-yard run with 2:33 to go in the opening quarter to tie the game at 7-7. Smith’s score was set up by runs of 21 and 44 yards by quarterback Johnny Nelson.
Defensively, Eric Harris and Victor Vanek each recorded multiple tackles for loss.
After losing to WSC Silver unbeatens in DGN and York the previous two weeks, the Huskies face the conference’s other unbeaten team, Lyons Township, this week. Game time is 7:30 p.m., Oct. 4, at Bennett Field in Western Springs.