The Oak Park and River Forest football team takes on visiting Leyden tonight (7:30) in a West Suburban Conference crossover game. The Huskies’ home opener marks the team’s return to the Oak Park Stadium scene where Waubonsie Valley ousted OPRF 28-7 in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs last year.
I covered that game and remeber a certain optimism permeating the John Hoerster-led OPRF football program despite the disappointing postseason loss. Fast forward 11 months to the present, and the Huskies are brimming with confidence and buzz. OPRF dismantled an overmatched Fenger team 55-8 in Week 1 at Gately Stadium. Tonight, the Huskies look to maintain their momentum against the Eagles.
With an explosive offense featuring quarterback Lloyd Yates and a bevy of running backs (Huskies rushed for 313 yards on 24 carries against Fenger), OPRF looks good against Leyden assuming the Huskies are sharp and play up their potential, In addition to established running backs Jamal Baggett and Mike Hayden, Dawon Browley made quite an impression with 81 yards rushing and two touchdowns on three carries in the Huskies’ season opener.
Andre Lee, Emonte Logan, Jamal Baggett and Marty McAndrews will lead the OPRF defense.
Improving to 2-0 on the season would help the Huskies, especially considering the scheduling gauntlet that awaits them within conference. I stopped by OPRF football team photo day a few weeks ago. I was extremely impressed by not only the players’ physical attributes but their collective maturity and focus about this season.
Friday night lights in the fall at Oak Park Stadium sounds good to me. Hope to see you there as the Huskies build on something that’s looking better and better by the game.
