Oak Park overcame adversity to reach championship game

MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn TOUGH LOSS-Max Hodge of Oak Park consoles teammate Vincent Tedjasaputra after losing to crosstown rival Oaks Christian. The game was contested until the final minute, but OCHS prevailed.

It was the greatest season ever for an Oak Park football team.

It was also a season that saw profound and tragic loss, and the bonding together and camaraderie of a group of young athletes.

Brandon Koller, a senior wide receiver/cornerback, said he’s grateful to his teammates.

"They’ve been here for me every step of the way," said Koller, whose dad, Mark Koller, an assistant coach of the Eagles, died during the season after battling cancer. "I thank every one of them. They’ve been great. It hasn’t been easy but it made it easier."

Max Hodge and Vincent Tedjasaputra, both senior offensive linemen/defensive backs, said the Eagles players formed tight bonds this season.

"I think we accomplished a lot and I’m proud of my team," said Hodge. "I love each and every one of them. This is probably the tightest group of people I’ve ever been with, closer than brothers. I’d gladly go to war with these guys."

Tedjasaputra said, "Our linemen worked very hard in the offseason. Most of our linemen joined the track and field team, and every single day we lifted weights and worked out. And we’ve fought through a lot of adversity."

Brian Crum, who along with Dick Billingsley is co-head coach for Oak Park, praised his players and said in time they would appreciate this year’s accomplishments.

"I can’t say how proud I am of this group of kids," Crum said. "They are so tough. They respond well to adversity. They’re upset right now because they cared so much. You always want to come out of this game a winner, but somebody has to lose.

"I hope when the guys look back they see the season in its totality, rather than what happened tonight, because there’s very few teams that are playing this weekend," added Crum.

Koller agreed.

"No Oak Park team has ever been here before," Koller said about reaching the championship game. "Hopefully we’re just setting the bar for Oak Park football teams to come. We had a great year and I’m just happy to be here."