Oak Park and River Forest High School alum Dallis Flowers (class of 2015) has followed a unique path to the National Football League, including stops at four different colleges before making the 53-man opening roster of the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2022. Now his journey has brought him back to this area and his hometown team.
Flowers, a cornerback and kick/punt returner, was signed to the practice squad of the Chicago Bears, Sept. 9. In the spring, he inked a free-agent deal with the San Francisco 49ers but was cut at the conclusion of the preseason.
Flowers spent 2½ seasons with the Colts. During his rookie season, he led the NFL with a 31.1 yard average on kick returns and was named to the Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.
The following year, Flowers won a starting job at cornerback, but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during Week 4. He rehabbed and returned in time for the 2024 season, but was released by the Colts after five games. Flowers then reached a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent the remainder of the year on their practice squad. He agreed to a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers after the season, but was placed on waivers after the 2025 NFL Draft and subsequently released.
Flowers’ #21 jersey number at OPRF was retired by the school two years ago. He’s one of just two football Huskies – Eric Kumerow is the other with #14 – to have that distinguished honor.
“I’m so proud of that kid. Dallis is the definition of grit, hard work, and perseverance,” said OPRF coach John Hoerster. “He’s at home and has an opportunity to put on the orange and blue again and help out the team. He’s ready, and there’s no better kid you could root for.”
Glenbard West 26, OPRF 7
In its home opener against Glenbard West, Sept. 12, OPRF showed plenty of grit by staying close to one of the Chicago area’s top teams for the majority of the contest. But the Hilltoppers scored twice in the final seven minutes to pull away and hand the Huskies a 26-7 defeat.
“Our kids fought really hard. I just wanted to see them fight for four quarters,” coach Hoerster said. “I wanted them to get in a battle and show some character, and that’s what they did.”
Chris Crape thrilled the home crowd with a 35-yard jet sweep to the right for a touchdown, which pulled OPRF (1-2, 0-1 West Suburban Silver) into a 7-7 tie with 10:05 left in the first half.
With 2:45 left in the half, Glenbard West quarterback Jack Waiti found Chase Cavan for a 23-yard touchdown. But Isaiah Gibson blocked the point-after, leaving the score 13-7.
OPRF just missed tying the game and possibly taking the lead when a pass from AJ Porter went through the hands of Niko Vielehr, who had beaten his defender by several yards. The missed opportunity proved costly when Porter was picked off in the end zone two plays later.
The OPRF defense stood tall for most of the second half but wore down in the fourth quarter. The Hilltoppers’ Jamarcus Kelly scored on a 30-yard run with 6:56 to play, and Max Hetlet’s 1-yard touchdown with :38 left sealed things.
Defensively for the Huskies, Logan Gathman had 4.5 tackles, Robert Kolovitz 3.5 tackles, John Matz 3 tackles, and Richie Truelove an interception.
“At the end of the day,” said Hoerster, “we have to do a better job on offense and help our defense out.”
OPRF next plays at Proviso West, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Fenwick 43, Joliet Catholic 26
Jake Thies had a 67-yard touchdown run and added another touchdown on a 27-yard interception return as Fenwick (3-0) defeated Joliet Catholic 43-26, Sept. 12, at Triton College.
Noah Sur booted a 43-yard field goal and Jamen Williams threw for 207 yards and three touchdowns – two to Will Tomczak – for the Friars, who visit Montini in a Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference White Division game, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
