Oak Park players make no excuses, walk away with their heads held high
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers NOT THE EAGLES' NIGHT- Quarterback Kyle Andrus and the Oaks Park offense could muster only 98 total yards against Oaks Christian.

Sean Westgate wasn't interested in the "what if" game.

Westgate, the Oak Park High senior linebacker, had just suffered his third postseason loss to Oaks Christian in four years, a frustrating 34-0 whitewashing last Friday night at OCHS in the CIFSouthern Section Northwest Division semifinal round.

Rather than salivate on several lost opportunities at CIF glory, the University of Arizonabound student-athlete took the high road and thanked Oaks Christian for the chance to compete against such a top-shelf opponent.

"I wouldn't have had it any other way," said Westgate, the Eagles' leading tackler and thirdleading rusher. "You can't be the best unless you beat the best."

As disappointing as Oak Park's season finale was- the Eagle offense managed nearly as many first downs (four) as turnovers (three)- senior linebacker Chris Dacar said the overall playing experience far outweighs the outcome of any game.

Dacar, who will attend Syracuse University and play lacrosse, moved from Northern California to Oak Park when he was a sophomore.

"It's the best experience I've ever had," said Dacar, adding that he plans to try and make the Syracuse football team as a walk-on.

"Coming down here was probably the best thing that could ever happen to me. It's just been unbelievable."

For the 24 seniors on the Eagles' roster, there were many positives to take away from their final season at Oak Park.

The Eagles finished the '07 campaign with a 94 record, making the team a combined 40-12 over the last four years. After going 4-1 in league play, Oak Park split the TriValley League championship with Nordhoff High and Oaks Christian.

And, of course, Oak Park's 2520 victory over Oaks Christian on Oct. 19 must be considered the high-point of the season. The win was the program's first against OCHS since 2003, snapping a streak of five consecutive losses to the Lions.

Like Dacar, however, Westgate said the friends he met and the relationships he built meant more than the wins and losses.

"It's been nothing short of amazing," Westgate said.

"This is an awesome group of guys, and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. I've had a great time here. You know, win or lose, these are Class-A people."