The past several years have been a struggle for the Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity football program. The Huskies have not qualified for the IHSA state playoffs since 2018, enduring six consecutive losing seasons – excluding the 2020 season, which was moved to the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19 and saw OPRF go 3-3.
Rising senior running back/linebacker Liam Smith, who is about to begin his third varsity season, is keenly aware of the program’s recent downturn, which followed a school-record seven consecutive playoff appearances. But he’s optimistic about a turnaround for the Huskies this fall.
“Summer’s going good,” Smith told Wednesday Journal. “There’s a lot of optimism, we’re real excited. There’s a lot of youth on the team, and being one of the older guys, it’s my job as a leader to guide them.”
Smith adds that while becoming one of the team’s leaders adds plenty of responsibilities, it’s something he relishes. He’s especially looking forward to having his younger brother, Timmy, on the team this year.
“We’ve never been on the same team. It’s fun and exciting,” he said.
Last season, Smith, who made All-Conference in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division, ran for 906 yards and nine touchdowns, and added 196 yards and a touchdown receiving. Afterward, he had a spleen laceration that caused him to miss basketball season, but he’s fully healthy now. In fact, he’s been inspired by the recovery process.
“It serves as motivation,” he said. “I’m coming back hungrier.”
OPRF coach John Hoerster agrees with Smith on how the influx of new talent has reinvigorated the program this summer.
“It’s good to have a guy like Liam. It seems like he’s been playing with us forever,” Hoerster said. “He’s had so much experience and success with us, and we’re excited about having him in a leadership role.
“Liam’s right, we have a bunch of young guys really stepping up and coming along quicker than we thought they would. They’re playing like veteran players with a lot of poise and it’s fun to watch. The seniors are doing a great job welcoming them and encouraging them. They know our success is going to have a lot to do with how quickly the younger guys are able to mature.”
While Smith states his goal is to make All-Conference again, he’s more focused on helping to change the trajectory of OPRF football.
“100 percent,” he said. “We’re all playing with a chip on our shoulder. No one really expects us to be good, but we’re really excited to turn things around this year, and I’m confident we’ll be able to do that.”
Smith adds that OPRF wants to make Oak Park Stadium an uncomfortable place for opponents to play once again. The Huskies went winless at home last season and have been victorious on their turf just once in the past three years.
“All our friends in the student section (Dog Pound), we feel like we’re letting them down when we lose,” Smith said. “This year, we want to have a fun atmosphere and some wins. We want to play some fun football that everyone’s going to be able to watch.”
OPRF has its first three – and four of its first five – games at home this fall. East Avenue neighbor, and defending Class 6A champion, Fenwick comes calling on Aug. 28, and it’s a game Smith has circled on his calendar.
“I’ve never won against them in my career,” he said. “Senior year, I want to beat those guys. It’s always good competition. We don’t necessarily hate those guys, but it’s not a friendly game either.”
With the IHSA increasing the number of playoff spots in each of the eight classes from 32 to 48 schools, a team no longer is required to get five victories for eligibility. That should allow more teams with four victories to qualify, which would be beneficial for OPRF, which plays in one of the state’s toughest football leagues, the West Suburban Conference Silver Division.
Smith doesn’t hesitate when he expresses his desire to help the Huskies return to the postseason.
“We’re playing in the hardest conference in the state and we’ve got a tough schedule. But I feel (at least) four wins is possible with this group,” he said. “I’ve never played in the playoffs and that’s been a goal since I started playing high school football. I’m really hoping I can experience that my senior year.”