CIRCLE OF TRUST—The Oak Park High football team’s offensive line features, clockwise from center, Connor McFadden, Chris Taylor, Trevor Alexandre, Justin Williams and Luca Bruno. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers Justin Williams is the biggest and baddest player on the Oak Park High football team.

His mother, however, can’t bear to watch him play.

Williams, a left tackle and defensive tackle for the Eagles, said his mom, Lee, has never seen him play football.

“She said: ‘I don’t want to see you get hurt,’” the senior said. “I told her, ‘Mom, I’m the one hurting other people.’ She doesn’t want to see that either.”

The 6-foot-1, 275-pound mauler hopes his mom makes it out to at least one game during his high school career, maybe Senior Night—the last home game—on Nov. 5 against Fillmore.

His dad, Darryl, attends every game.

Oak Park football fans should enjoy watching Williams and his fellow offensive linemen, including incoming seniors Trevor Alexandre, Chris Taylor, Connor McFadden and Conner Phillips.

Luca Bruno is a promising underclassman.

Williams is looking forward to the upcoming season, which begins Sept. 10 at Channel Islands.

“If we all work together well, we can do better things for our team,” he said. “We’re a cohesive unit. Our line communicates.”

Williams surrendered only two sacks while starting for most of last season. He doesn’t want to allow any sacks this year.

“Our quarterback can feel safe,” he said.

Williams is polite and articulate off the field. When he puts on the helmet, however, he transforms into a bruising, pancakeblock machine.

“Those are the highlight-reel blocks,” Williams said. “I love cracking kids on the run.”

The senior, who also plays basketball, is an honors student with a 3.3 grade-point average.

Teammates relish having Williams on their side.

“He’s a pretty mean player,” Bruno said. “I like playing with the mean players. I would say he plays with a lot of heart, but I don’t want to sound corny. He’s the line leader.”

Football is one avenue where Williams can truly express himself.

“You can be uninhibited,” the lineman said. “In society and in school, you have to watch yourself. You can’t show emotion. In football, you can play and be yourself. You put forth everything you’re feeling and let it out on anyone.”

Alexandre knows Oak Park can improve upon last season’s 4-7 record.

“Oak Park has not been as great as we used to be,” the left guard said. “We have something to prove. This is our last shot to leave a mark on the school. We want to leave behind something great for the younger people.

“We believe we’re good. We know we can compete.”

Alexandre didn’t grow up playing sports. He tried baseball when he was 5.

“I hated it,” he admitted.

The lineman started playing football in high school.

“My teammates are why I play football,” Alexandre said.

McFadden grew up playing ice hockey in New Jersey. Now he’s a major contributor at defensive tackle who helps out at right guard. He said he enjoys competing with his fellow linemen.

“We get along well,” McFadden said. “It’s a fun group. We’re not uptight.”

McFadden uses his speed and guile to contribute in the trenches. He said he’s improved his technique and worked on getting a better jump off the ball.

“It all starts and ends at the line,” McFadden said. “It’s really important.”

The senior, a 3.6 GPA honors student, played lacrosse as a freshman and might try it again this season.

Taylor, a center, anticipates that OPHS will compete for a Tri- Valley League championship. The path will be considerably easier with Oaks Christian moving to the rugged Marmonte League.

“It was a fun game,” Taylor said of the Lions, “but I’m glad they’re out. It opens the door for us to step in.”

Taylor, who has played every position on the line during his career, is another honors student on the line, with a 3.2 GPA.

Bruno, 15, earned valuable playing time as a freshman, appearing in two games.

The right tackle and defensive end has gleaned nuggets of wisdom from the line veterans.

“These are good guys,” said Bruno, who also throws shot put for the track team.

“Last year was a way different game (than JV). It was a big wake-up call. . . . I want to protect my quarterback, have no injuries and get all my plays down.”

The Eagles are ready to go.

“We don’t have any excuses for this year,” Alexandre said. “All the pieces are there.”