As the Friday night lights flicker on, anticipation is building to see how the Huskies will fare in the 2024-2025 football season. 

The Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity football team had a 1-8 record in 2023-2024. At press time, right before the Sept. 20 homecoming game against York High School, the team’s record was 1-2. 

Since last season, the team has been preparing to improve their gameplay. “I think we’ve learned a lot from last season,” said Head Coach John Hoerster. “The guys have some goals that they worked hard to improve during the summer.” 

Captained by seniors Hugh Vanek, Jake Karnick,  Mikee Vielehr and C.J. Robinson, the Huskies are determined to give this season their best. “I firmly believe that if our guys get out on the field and do their best, they’re gonna walk off the field feeling good about themselves,” said Hoerster.

The season began with a devastating loss of 0-30 to their crosstown rivals the Fenwick Friars on Aug. 31. 

Although the game did not end as the Huskies had anticipated, the atmosphere was roaring with chants and a sea of orange. With a student section filled with painted faces and chants, the Huskies were welcomed back into the dogpound. 

“Everyone in the student section brought so much energy. Each way you turned you were met with loud chants and screams,” senior Warren Vitale recalled. 

On Sept. 5,  a crowd of red, white, and blue welcomed the Morgan Park High School Mustangs into the stadium for an “American” themed matchup. The game ended with a final score of 0-26, making the Huskies’ record 0-2 after a tough fight. 

However, on Sept. 13 the Huskies came roaring back with a 49-0 win over Proviso West High School. The team also honored its graduating seniors that night. 

At press time the team is set to take on the York High School Dukes on Sept. 20 for their orange-and-blue-themed homecoming game. 

Throughout countless morning practices, the team has spent an entire off-season preparing for this fall. Hard work and dedication are just a few of the things that came out of all those preseason workouts.

Additionally, the boys are focused on maintaining the trust and bond within the team. Karnick said, “The energy is there. You can trust the guy standing next to you full-heartedly because we’ve put in the work together.” 

Players noted the strong bond between teammates and between coaches and players. “The main goal is for us to have a great experience together, and for us as coaches to be a part of their journey,” said Hoerster, who pointed out that he sees his players as people first. 

Hoerster believes in rewriting the narrative of coaches only caring about their team’s record and how they advance, he said. Instead, he aims to coach the team into becoming better people. 

He wants them to enjoy and love the sport. “At the end of the day, what I want is for them to have a great high school football experience,” said Hoerster. 

As the season continues, the Huskies are determined to prove their competition wrong. The question is whether you will be present for the Huskies to rewrite that narrative.