There’s already an exciting feeling in the air whenever Oak Park and River Forest and Fenwick High Schools meet on the gridiron. With each opening the football season last week with impressive victories, the atmosphere should be juiced when the Huskies and Friars do battle at Triton College, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m.
Here’s a preview of the big game:
OPRF
After spotting host Rich Township a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage, the Huskies gradually took control and pulled away in the second half for a 28-6 victory, Aug. 29.
Junior Liam Smith had an outstanding evening on both sides of the ball at Rich. Offensively, he rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries and added a 16-yard touchdown catch. Defensively, Smith racked up eight tackles at linebacker.
Junior AJ Porter came on in the second half in relief of classmate and starting quarterback Liam Brown and threw for three touchdowns – the aforementioned one to Smith and two to junior running back Norlan Davis.
Senior linebacker Isaiah Gibson was another star for OPRF, with two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Fenwick
The Friars notched an impressive road win, Aug. 29, over defending IHSA Class 4A champion DePaul Prep, 40-14. Senior quarterback Jamen Williams bounced back from a season-ending injury last year, completing 15-of-19 passes for 178 yards and four touchdowns.
The Thies brothers also played large roles in the victory on both sides of the ball. Junior Jake had a forced fumble, a sack, and a 38-yard interception return on defense and totaled 117 yards (68 rushing, 49 receiving) on offense. Jake’s brother Tommy, a senior, ran for two scores offensively and a fumble recovery along with 1.5 tackles for loss defensively.
Series history
After last meeting in 1989, OPRF and Fenwick kicked off the 2022 season at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. The Huskies routed the Friars 35-7 as Jack Gooch threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another, and Khalil Nichols had three interceptions.
Fenwick got revenge in 2023 with a 34-13 victory at Triton College. Luke D’Alise ran for 94 yards and three touchdowns, and Marek Hill threw for two more scores.
Last year, the Friars handed the Huskies a season-opening 30-0 shutout loss at Oak Park Stadium. Fenwick’s defense limited OPRF to 165 yards of total offense. Williams and Frankie Hosty each threw a touchdown pass, and Jalen Morgan ran for two additional touchdowns.
Tate’s Take
There should be added enthusiasm shown by fans of both teams at Triton, given how each started the season on a nice note. But there also should be a bit of urgency in the air, with the Huskies and Friars each having difficult schedules ahead, the winner will take a big step toward gaining the necessary five victories for state playoff consideration.
On paper, Fenwick, ranked 21st in this week’s Chicago Sun-Times’ Top 25 poll, has the advantages in terms of talent and experience. But I have a gut feeling that OPRF is hungry and eager to turn the tables, particularly the seniors, who have never defeated the Friars. Just ask Gibson.
“It kind of makes my blood boil every time I hear their name,” he said. “The Class of 2026, everybody on that roster hasn’t beaten Fenwick. We all want to get that game.”
Smith added, “This is our Super Bowl right here, this is the game we talk about all season. This to us is who owns Oak Park.”
In a rivalry game, you can throw out the records. Fenwick realizes OPRF is going to be primed for the game, and they’re ready.
“We know it’s a big one for both schools,” said Fenwick coach Matt Battaglia. “It doesn’t matter what anyone’s record is or what they did the previous week, we know both sides are going to play as if it’s the Super Bowl.”
I feel that this will be a close game with both teams riding tons of positive momentum coming in. In the end, I think Fenwick’s experience pulls out the victory. I also think that no matter the outcome, fans of both teams will like the direction they’re going in – up.