OPRF kicks off the football season tonight at 7:30 p.m. with a non-conference showdown against Lincoln-Way East. Here's an in-depth look at the matchup.

Oak Park and River Forest vs. Lincoln-Way East. Wow, what a way to kick off the high school football season! The Huskies have won 16 games over the past two seasons, while the Griffins finished 9-3 and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. Since Lincoln-Way East High School opened in 2001, the Griffins, remarkably, have never missed the playoffs and own a 2005 state championship and a 2012 state runner-up showing. Each program is led by a dynamic, inspiring coach, John Hoerster at OPRF and Rob Zvonar at Lincoln-Way East.

The Oak Park River Forest Youth Football program has produced several players who have gone on to stardom for the Oak Park and River Forest and Fenwick High School football programs. This fall, another batch of promising young players will look to learn more about football in hopes of one day playing for the Huskies, Friars and perhaps beyond.

Oak Park and River Forest High School head football coach John Hoerster rattles off their names and fondly talks about their accomplishments as if they were his own sons. Guys like Emonte Logan, Andre Lee, Jamal Baggett, Xavier Rowe, Mike Hayden, Josh Hale, Justin Starks and Simmie Cobbs. They formed the nucleus of a stellar senior class which powered the OPRF football team to a 9-2 record, runner-up finish in the rugged West Suburban Conference Silver Division and a solid showing in the playoffs last season.

As they begin the new school year, John Stelzer, Oak Park and River Forest High School's athletic director, and Scott Thies, his Fenwick High School counterpart, are as enthusiastic as they have ever been.

OPRF senior quarterback Lloyd Yates can't wait for the high school regular season to start. That anticipation of opening day applies on two levels now as the dual-threat signal caller has committed to play college football for Northwestern and head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

While almost every high school football coach in the state of Illinois sees some value participating in 7-on-7 scrimmages against other teams during the offseason, the long-term benefits are open to debate.

OPRF junior offensive tackle standout Adam Lemke-Bell committed to Northwestern on Saturday.