To Oak Park tandem, it’s a matter of unfinished business

RUN AND GUN—Oak Park seniors Matt Alexander and Doug Deakin return after productive junior seasons that saw the duo emerge as standouts on an otherwise senior-dominated lineup. With a younger roster than its had in recent years, Oak Park will rely greatly on the ability of its upperclassmen to lead both by example and with words. Deakin and Alexander, who have been friends and teammates since middle school, hope to fill those roles. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers As proud as Oak Park High School is about the recent success of its football team, which went 24-2 over the past two seasons and made consecutives trips to the Southern Section Div. XI title game, it is equally proud that they did so with home-grown talent.

In a time where many teams benefit from transfers and “timely” newcomers to the area, the Eagles have found a way to win consistently on the backs of players who’ve never lived outside the boundary that runs from Tamarind Street to Lindero Canyon Road.

It is a fact players and coaches like to talk about often, and one that will hold true again this coming season as native sons Doug Deakin and Matt Alexander return with a handful of others to try and lead the team back to another title game—and past two-time defending champion and rival Oaks Christian.

“That is one of the most unique things about Oak Park— we’ve all stayed together so long,” said Alexander, who returns as a starting safety and a versatile offensive weapon. “We’ve been playing sports with one another so long that when it comes down to the football field, we trust each other. You look around and these are the kids you’ve grown up with and it gives you a sense of pride, and confidence.”

Though they attended separate elementary schools— Deakin went to Red Oak and Alexander went to Oak Hills— the two became best friends and teammates not long after they entered Medea Creek Middle School.

Deakin said the connection between the Oak Park community and its athletes is special.

“It’s a real tight-knit community. Families know families. They’re always friends of friends,” said Deakin, who returns at quarterback after starting the Eagles’ final six games of the season in ‘04. “It makes sports, the friendships, so much more worthwhile. . . . These are the kids you played sandlot football and baseball with and now, come on, it’s Friday night lights. It doesn’t get much better than that. It’s something I wouldn’t trade anything for.”

Memorable entry

It was the assurance of his teammates that gave Deakin the confidence to shine in arguably the Eagles’ most memorable game of last season—a 13-10 come-from-behind homecoming night victory over defending league champion Nordhoff.

Sent in for senior starter Sean Sammis in the third quarter and his team trailing 10-0, Deakin, then a junior, said he drew strength from the encouragement he received in the huddle, which was comprised almost entirely of seniors.

“They didn’t look at me like ‘Oh, no, now we’re in trouble,’” Deakin said. “I saw a spark of life and they said, “Come on, Deakin. Let’s do this.’”

The junior led the offense on back-to-back scoring drives, including one that ended with a pressure-packed TD pass to AllCIF wideout Gavin Ketchum on a critical third down. The performance would earn him the role of the team’s new starting quarterback, a title he still holds heading into this fall.

“It was storybook start for me . . . the atmosphere that night was just electric,” Deakin said. “After that pass to Gavin, I don’t think I’ve ever jumped so high. The crowd was just going nuts.”

With a history as both a running back and a receiver, Deakin was once thought to be more of a scrambler than a passer—a myth he quickly dispelled by connecting on 60 percent of his passes for 13 TDs and 1,136 yards. If only Michael Vick were so lucky.

“I’ve always had an arm. I think it goes back to playing baseball, said Deakin, a letterman with the varsity baseball squad. “I don’t think the coaches ever doubted that I could get the ball to a receiver, it was just about whether or not I had enough confidence in myself to do the job. And that’s something I developed.”

His passing ability aside, Deakin’s passion for the open field is unmistakable—a trait often put on display while operating in co-head coach Dick Billingsley’s triple-option offense. Last season he averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored seven rushing touchdowns over the Eagles’ final seven games.

“If given the opportunity (to run), I’m going to take it. No question,” Deakin said. “The more that I have the other team worrying about me the more likely my teammates are going to get open—and then I’m going to get them the ball.”

All over the field

One of the guys he’ll want to get the ball to often is fellow returning starter Alexander, who made a name for himself last year by using his athleticism to impact a game no matter where the coaching staff chose to place him—whether it was at running back, wide receiver, safety or kick returner.

“He’s a guy we want to get the ball to anyway we can,” Billingsley said. “He’s an exciting player. He’s one of those guys you don’t have to throw the ball 50 yards down the field to make a big play.”

Splitting time with standout Josh Moskowtiz at tailback, the super-speedy Alexander finished with 499 yards rushing and averaged an incredible 11.34 yards per carry. He finished with nine rushing touchdowns, including an 89-yard scamper against Verdugo Hills in the season opener.

As a receiver, Alexander caught six passes for three TDs, averaging more than 25 yards gained every time he caught the ball. Oh, and he started every game at safety, grabbing three INTs and making an impressive 31 solo tackles.

“I love it,” Alexander said. “Anytime the ball comes my way—I’ll take it. I just have that knack for wanting the ball, wanting to be in the middle of the action.”

Alexander will need to produce if the Eagles are to replace the output of graduates Moskowitz and Ketchum, who accounted for over 2,000 yards and scored 45 percent of the Oak Park touchdowns.

Returning four starters on offense, but just one on the offensive line (center Kevin Rosen), the duo will have to do more than lead by example.

Both says the other is prepared.

“(Doug) is one of the best leaders I’ve seen on the football field,” Alexander said. “He’s phenomenal. He’s not the fastest kid, the strongest kid, he just gets it done. Watching him run the option is something else. He’ll go over and around guys.”

Deakin also had positive words to share about Alexander. “He’s fine with being ‘the guy,’” Deakin said. “He’s going to be a workhorse for you. You always know Matt is giving a 110 percent.”

Still together

Alexander and Deakin first played together in the eighth grade, when both were members of a successful local youth football league team that included future Oaks Christian safety/ wideout Marshal Jones and Agoura starting quarterback Dominick Huerta. The team was coached by Oaks Christian defensive coach Clay Matthews.

In fact, it was Matthews who first gave Deakin a shot at quarterback, a decision Oak Park fans are very grateful for.

“Whenever we were up three or four touchdowns, coach (Matthews) would yell out, ‘Deakin offense, in.’ And he’d have me go in as quarterback with a bunch of other guys that didn’t usually play offense,” Deakin said. “It was a lot of fun. I didn’t know what I was doing, but it was a lot of fun. That’s where I got my start at quarterback.”

It was then that the teammates first discussed the subject of winning a CIF title, and it’s a goal that still exists today, even after consecutive losses to an ever-improving Oaks Christian team in the Div. XI finals.

“This year the motto is ‘Unfinished business,’” Deakin said. “We’re tired of standing next to Oaks Christian on the pedestal and they’re the ones with the rings on their fingers. This year we want it to be different. No matter what’s going on over there, we’re not backing down. We still expect to compete with them every game.”

“Last year was a phenomenal season, but we want to get that weight on our fingers, we want to win that first CIF title,” Deakin added. “Then we can add some more memories to the ones we (as friends) already have. That’s what this is all about. One last go-round with all your friends. I can’t wait.”

Eagle football fans can’t either.