The Acorn’s High School Football Game of the Week

SWARMING DEFENSE—Oak Park High wide receiver Matt Dipaolo, left, is chased down by Oaks Christian’s John Gebbia. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers The Oak Park High football team has all the motivation it needs.

What’s on the line?

Friday’s game has playoff implications. The opponent is a Tri-Valley League rival. And it’s the Eagles’ homecoming.

The winner of the Oak ParkNordhoff clash will likely secure second place in the TVL behind vaunted Oaks Christian.

“This is a huge game for us,” said Oak Park senior tight end Cody Bathke.

The 2009 season has been about resiliency in the shadow of adversity.

Oak Park has been besieged by injuries like ancient Egypt was ravaged by plagues. In a shutout loss to OCHS last weekend, 11 Eagles were sidelined with a variety of ailments.

Tyler Benton, normally a wide receiver, was forced to play quarterback against the Lions.

The Eagles have had four players take snaps behind center: Brad Taylor, Connor Hill, Dereck Deakin and Benton. Deakin is out for the rest of the year with a broken finger.

Terry Shorten, who shares head coaching duties with Dennis Stephenson, said the Eagles are the healthiest they’ve been since an opening week win against Grace Brethren.

Oak Park—which plays its first home game in a month— expects to return multiple contributors, including co-captains Brent Botwin, Alfredo Corvino and Taylor.

Although the season has been challenging, Shorten said it has also been rewarding.

“I’ve never seen anything like this with all the injuries,” Shorten said. “This team came together as a group and faced adversity without blaming each other. They just are out there competing.

“My hat’s off to these kids. One week you’re a cornerback, the next you’re a linebacker. One week you’re a receiver and the next you’re at quarterback. They’re actually having fun doing it.”

If there’s another silver lining, it’s that the Eagles have discovered solid second- and third-string players.

“We have depth,” Benton said. “We’ve been getting a lot of bench help.”

Shorten said Oak Park’s defense has been rushing the passer, blitzing and forcing turnovers.

An offense depleted by injuries has struggled with consistency. Shorten said penalties have affected the field position.

“We’re going back to the basics (on offense),” Shorten said. “We’re starting to run the ball well, and Connor Hill gives us a well-balanced attack.”

Nick Rogers, a junior linebacker and running back, said he thinks the key to victory will be to sustain offensive drives.

“We need to get rolling with our running, passing and trick plays,” Rogers said.

Junior right guard and defensive tackle Conner Phillips said a junior-dominated offensive line has been playing tough despite the necessary growing pains.

Phillips is looking forward to facing the Rangers, who upended the Eagles 20-13 in the 2008 season finale.

“Every year, Nordhoff’s a big game,” he said. “We’re looking to come out with a win.”

Said Bathke of the game: “We want to get revenge.”

Oak Park will likely be one of three TVL teams to qualify for the postseason, but playing Nordhoff will be a good measuring stick.

“This gives us an opportunity to see how we’ve progressed as a team,” Shorten said.

Players to Watch

Oak Park QB Connor Hill
WR/DB Tyler Benton
TE Cody Bathke LB/RB Nick Rogers
OL/DT Conner Phillips

Nordhoff
QB Skylar Logsdon
RB Justin Burgess
WR/DB Logan Crow
LB Keegan Shirck
LB Parker Johnsen

Outlook

Nordhoff is quietly challenging for a Tri-Valley League championship. Behind an air-tight defense and balanced offense, the Rangers have reeled off seven consecutive victories. Coming off a loss to Oaks Christian, Oak Park can’t afford to play flat on homecoming night.