TO THE HOUSE—Oak Park High varsity football players, clockwise from bottom left, Anton SanFilippo, Aaron Lacombe, Thomas Mattivi and Aki Zapata will play major roles in the Eagles’ passing game. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers Wu-Tang Financial will diversify your bonds.

The Oak Park High football team will diversify its offense.

While the Eagles still use some of the run-heavy offensive principles of former head coach and current athletic director Dick Billingsley, a plethora of talented wide receivers have the ability to open up OPHS’ passing game.

“Coach B founded the running option game,” said Casey Webb, the team’s offensive coordinator and a 2004 OPHS graduate. “We’ll still use that, but we’re going to have more spread. Our strength is in our receivers.

“Our set of skill players is one of the best in the county. It’s really a good group.”

Added Oak Park head coach Terry Shorten: “We have size. We have speed. It’s a very impressive group. All could be game-breaker type guys.”

Aki Zapata and Aaron Lacombe lead the way for Oak Park.

Nick Fahn, Anton SanFilippo, Jonny Katz and tight end Thomas Mattivi complement the receiving corps.

Zapata might be the single biggest contributor for Oak Park.

The 5-foot-8, 155-pound incoming senior has started for three seasons. The inside slot receiver also plays running back, safety, cornerback, kicker, punter and kick/punt returner.

“ Any time he touches the ball,” Shorten said, “he can take it to the house.”

Oak Park must find creative outlets for Zapata to get his mitts on the pigskin, including reverses, sweeps and formations that create mismatches against linebackers.

“There’s so much stuff to look forward to,” Zapata said. “We have a new field, new defense, new players, a new quarterback.

“I feel like there are a lot of changes. Hopefully, they’re good changes.”

Zapata, who got straight A’s last semester, led the 2010 team in rushing yards and receiving yards per catch.

The Eagle playmaker has added 10-15 pounds of muscle during the offseason.

He’s not a loud, brash leader. He tries to lead by example and play with class.

Zapata, who played soccer for seven years, is also a sprinter and long jumper for the track team. He has one older sister, Malia, an Agoura graduate.

The senior is focused on football and school—he hopes to play at an Ivy League institution.

For Zapata, it’s all about the team.

“Personally, my goals are for the team, not individual goals,” he said. “I want to do well for my team.”

Lacombe is a varsity newcomer, but he’s expected to have a major impact.

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound junior wide receiver and cornerback overpowered, outmaneuvered and outplayed Marmonte League defensive backs during the Conejo Classic Passing Tournament this summer.

Shorten said Lacombe is an intense, physical receiver who can make big plays.

The wideout is eager for the Eagles to open up the offense.

“Oak Park has been about running the ball,” Lacombe said. “Now we have a quarterback and a receiving corps. There’s going to be more emphasis probably on throwing the ball.”

Lacombe has been working on timing and chemistry with sophomore quarterback Nick Koshofer, a summer transfer from Crespi.

“He’s got a great arm,” Lacombe said of Koshofer. “He throws the long ball great. He could maybe work on accuracy and intermediate routes. But he can hit the fade every time.

“Oak Park in the next two, three years will be known as a passing team.”

According to Shorten, Koshofer is still competing for the starting role with Jack Gerstenberger and Katz.

SanFilippo is a senior slot receiver and cornerback.

“He’s worked very hard this year,” Shorten said of SanFilippo. “He runs great routes. He’s extremely focused and disciplined.”

The 5- foot- 8, 155- pound senior hopes to make an impact stretching the field and making short-yardage snags.

“I enjoy catching the ball and making plays,” he said.

The key for him will be gaining separation from defensive backs, he said.

Mattivi is a junior tight end and outside linebacker.

He missed his entire sophomore season with a dislocated elbow. He has a metal plate in his arm to stabilize the bone.

The tight end said the elbow’s taken a hit and he’s felt fine.

Mattivi has returned with renewed enthusiasm.

“I’ve put in way more work,” the Eagle said. “When I was out, I realized how great football is and what it takes to be good. I have a good outlook for the season. I’m really excited.”

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Mattivi will be counted on to block and catch. He can also flex out as a fourth or fifth receiver.

“He’s motivated to get back on the field,” Shorten said. “He’s very eager to be involved.”

Mattivi, who’s played football since he was 6, played fullback as a freshman. He was slated to man strong safety last year.

The junior has big goals for Oak Park.

“We hope to win a CIF title,” Mattivi said. “We want to win it all.”

Fahn, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound receiver and free safety, caught 21 passes last year, the second-best figure on the team.

“He’s a big kid with great hands,” Shorten said of Fahn, who also plays volleyball. “He’s very hard to defend. He’s rangy and lengthy.”

Katz is a multidimensional talent who understands the offense. According to Webb, Katz is natural leader who’s likely going to make a mark at slot receiver and some quarterback, especially in third-and-short situations.

“It’s going to be fun,” Webb said. “These guys are going to make headlines.”