Tale of the Tape “THE SHOWDOWN ALONG THE SHORES OF LAKE ELLYN” OPRF AT GLENBARD WEST SATURDAY, OCT. 4 1:30 P.M. AT DUCHON FIELD
OPRF Nickname: Huskies School colors: Burnt orange and navy blue Home Field: Oak Park Stadium Notable football accomplishments: 3 National Championships under Coach Zuppke between 1910-1912; 1969 team (8-0) 1982, 1984 IHSA state semi-finalist
Head coach: John Hoerster Top players: QB Lloyd Yates, RB Antonio Cannon, WR Ke’Juan Ratcliff, OL Adam Lemke-Bell, OL Phil Berton, DL Allen Stallings, DL Jelani Onibinder, LB Marty McAndrews, S Nathan Godwin, CB Dallis Flowers, WR/LB Kamal Bey
Outlook: The Huskies roll into Glen Ellyn looking for a measure of revenge after Notable alumni: Dan Castellaneta (voice of Homer Simpson), Otto Kerner, Jr. last season’s 20-14 loss at home against Glenbard West, which essentially paved (33rd Governor of Illinois), Eric Kumerow (former NFL player), Ray Kroc (founder of the way for the Hilltoppers taking the McDonald’s), Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio conference championship. (actress), Ernest Hemingway (writer), Led by three-year starting quarterback Paul Harvey Jr. (radio on air talent), Iman Lloyd Yates, the offense is averaging 43 Shumpert (NBA player), Dani Tyler (1996 points featuring a ton of playmakers like Olympic Gold Medalist in softball) Cannon, Ratcliff, Bey, De’Viaughn Benion, Breshawn Wilkerson and Jamarri Watson. OPRF fun fact: Before such things were The defense looks comparably strong, made illegal by the IHSA, OPRF, on at powered by seniors Nathan Godwin and least one occasion, played games against Marty McAndrews. college teams, such as a baseball game on April 4, 1900 when the Huskies lost to The Huskies have the talent to beat Glenbard West, regardless of venue, but they’ll Northwestern University (then known as need to play their best game of the year. the Purple), 27-1. OPRF will have to show poise on both sides of the ball to execute its game plan in a Football record this season: 5-0, 3-0 inWest tough environment. Suburban Conference Silver Division
Glenbard West Nickhame: Hilltoppers (informal nickname, Hitters) Top players: QB Kyle Kramer, RB Sam Brodner, RB Donahvon Vaughn, WR Aidan Gould, OL Jack Kane, School colors: Forest green and white LB/WR Ben Marcus, DE Declan Ryan, DE Nate Orrison, CB Ryan Thomas, CB Ryan Balough Notable football accomplishments: Football (state titles): 2 (1983–84, 2012–13) IHSA state titles Outlook: The “G” on the helmets of the Glenbard West players might as well stand for Gold Standard Home field: Duchon Field because that’s the Hitters’ level of dominance within Notable alumni: Matt Bowen (former NFL player), the conference. Under Hetlet, the Hilltoppers have won 37 of their last 38 games and have amassed 70 Amy Carlson (actress), Jeffery Deaver (novelist), Sean Hayes (actor, Will & Grace TV show), John Shur- wins in the last six years entering this season. They went 14-0 and won the Class 7A state title in 2012 na (Northwestern University basketball’s all-time and notched a second-place finish in 2009. leading scorer, playing pro hoops overseas)Bobby Rahal (race car driver), Chris Watt (NFL offensive Kramer leads a potent offense with threats like lineman for San Diego Chargers), Ted Wass (actor, Brodner and Vaughn in the backfield and Gould and Blossom TV show) Marcus in the passing game. Glenbard West fun fact: Scenes from the movie, Coupled with their perennially strong running game, the Hilltoppers’ defense is another major part of the “Lucas,” were filmed at Glenbard West. The iconic team’s success. The team is only giving up six points 1986 film, which starred Charlie Sheen, Cory Haim per game this season. The Hitters are fast, aggressive and Winona Ryder in her film debut, earned good and tough. reviews as a touching coming of age story about Haim’s character, Lucas Bly, a shy, introspective and A huge home crowd and previous experience playing on the big stage should help Glenbard West small student who tries out for the football team play relatively free and relaxed. Then again, this is in order to attract the attention of fellow student, a showdown everybody has been waiting for since Maggie (played by Kerri Green). last year’s meeting in Oak Park so anything can happen. Record this season: 5-0, 3-0 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division In that regard, I like Yates’ poise and ability to guide Head coach: Chad Hetlet the Huskies to a very tight victory.
Prediction: (same as earlier this week). OPRF 24, Glenbard West 21