The Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity football program has struggled the past several years. The Huskies, who finished last season with a 2-7 record (1-5 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division), have not qualified for the state playoffs since 2018 when they won a share of the WSC Silver title.
But an infusion of talented young players has OPRF feeling optimistic about this season.
“We’re looking super-sharp and we’re amped up for Week One,” said OPRF senior running back/linebacker Liam Smith, now in his third varsity season. Senior defensive lineman Ben Lambe, who is also a three-year varsity player, echoed Smith’s sentiments.
“Everyone’s doing their part. I feel this is the best team I’ve played on,” Lambe said. “We have a lot of talent with all our classes.”
Smith and Lambe are two of just four returning varsity starters for the Huskies. Smith, who has made the All-WSC Silver Team each of the past two seasons, ran for 906 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025 while adding 196 yards and a touchdown receiving.
OPRF’s other varsity returnees with significant playing experience are senior linebacker Connor Ganschow, senior defensive lineman Connor Krumrei (the other returning starters) and senior defensive backs Richie Truelove and Niko Vielehr, each of whom saw extensive playing time.
Lambe is the type of player who creates havoc upfront, and Krumrei is grateful for his presence.
“Ben’s a really good player, just a physical phenom,” he said. “He plays hard and loves the sport, and he’s a humble teammate who takes care of everyone. It gives me confidence knowing that he’s next to me.”
Senior Liam Brown, who split time with AJ Porter and Darren Law at quarterback last year, appears to have secured the full-time job this season, and he’s excited about the opportunity.
“This year is a lot more comfortable for me,” said Brown, who also plays baseball. “Taking more reps has helped to slow the game down and it’s allowed me to become a better player.”
“He’s done an outstanding job. His progression has really been one of the highlights of the summer,” said OPRF head coach John Hoerster, entering his 16th season. “His growth as a leader from a social and emotional perspective has been outstanding. Liam understands the offense better and he’s doing outstanding with leadership.”
Like Hoerster, Smith has been impressed by Brown’s improvement.
“Brownie, as we call him, his development overall has been astounding to me,” he said. “He put so much work in this offseason, lots of quarterback training and lifts. He’s been a good leader for the foundation of our team and that’s what we need our quarterback to do.”
OPRF expects to get a boost from a talented sophomore group, including defensive back/wide receivers Tavion Coleman and Cameron Minish-Murray as well as outside linebacker/wide receiver Labrone Neal and lineman Timmy Smith, Liam Smith’s younger brother. Among the other newcomers looking to make their mark on the Huskies are junior DB/WRs Javon Davis and Julian Wiley, junior OLB/WR Everett Kemp, junior OLB Emile Williams, and senior DB/WR Andrew Heinzman.
The Huskies are hungry for a turnaround in the varsity’s fortunes, but it won’t come easy. Despite opening up with the first two games – and four of the first five overall – at Oak Park Stadium, the Huskies have their work cut out for them, considering they play in one of the state’s toughest football conferences, the WSC Silver. Downers Grove North, Glenbard West, Lyons Township, and York are widely considered the top contenders for this year’s title.
“Every year, a different team seems to find itself at the top of the conference because of the competitiveness and parity. There really isn’t an off week,” Hoerster said.
However, the good news for OPRF is that with the expansion of the state playoffs from 32 to 48 schools in each of the IHSA’s eight classes, getting to five victories is no longer a necessary requirement for qualification. Friday Night Drive playoff prediction guru Steve Soucie believes that all schools with four victories and most schools with three will make postseason play.
To a man, the Huskies are ready to show the community that they are back in terms of football regard.
“I want at least five wins this year and the playoffs,” Lambe said.
“Our goal is to just be aggressive and play hard, control the controllables,” Krumrei said. “I know a lot of teams are thinking that OPRF is going to be a bye week, but we’re going to play hard this year and show them we’re going to turn things around.”
OPRF hosts Rich Township in the season opener, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
At a glance
Team: Oak Park and River Forest Huskies
Head Coach: John Hoerster, 16th season, 74-69 record
Top players: Liam Smith, RB/LB, SR; Ben Lambe, DT, SR; Connor Ganschow, LB, SR; Connor Krumrei, DE, SR; Richie Truelove, DB, SR; Niko Vielehr, DB, SR.
Tidbit: Sophomore offensive lineman Timmy Smith joins the varsity to play alongside older brother Liam. Hoerster said Timmy, a running back on last year’s freshman team, moved to the offensive line this year in order to block for Liam and give the Huskies a better chance at a successful season.
Outlook: Buoyed by a bunch of talented sophomores and juniors, OPRF views this season as an opportunity to return to postseason play for the first time since 2018. Four of the Huskies’ first five games are at home, which provides a good chance for the team’s younger players to get accustomed to varsity football.