The Oak Park and River Forest High School football team fell to their crosstown rivals, Fenwick High School, on Friday, Sept. 5 at Triton College Stadium. The game marked the fourth meeting between the Huskies and Friars since the annual matchup was revived in 2022, after football games between the two arch-rivals were suspended following a fight in 1989.
The game ended with a score of 35-0 in favor of the Friars: the second straight shutout by Fenwick when facing OPRF.
The game began with OPRF junior quarterback A.J. Porter completing a 29-yard pass to junior wide receiver Niko Vielehr, who rose up and brought in an impressive catch over the defender. Despite positive signs after strong plays to start off the game from Vieleher and junior running back Liam Smith, the Huskies were not able to get on the scoreboard from their opening drive.
From there, the Friars went on to score their first touchdown on their first throw of the game, and added to the scoreboard with another touchdown pass in the second quarter. Heading into halftime, the Friars led 14-0.
Momentum continued to shift when the second half began with a Fenwick drive, which scored seven more points. The Huskies could not pick up a first down and punted the ball away with their first possession of the second half.
The Friars’ offensive success continued throughout the fourth quarter as they scored two more touchdowns and closed out the game with a final score of 35-0.
Despite the loss, the rivalry again showed how it has become one of the most anticipated events in Oak Park and River Forest communities. Fans from both schools packed their student sections and cheered for their teams throughout the night.
Senior defensive end Caleb Collins credited the OPRF fans for their support, saying, “I could still feel the energy. It was nice to have them here.”
After the game, Head Coach John Hoerster said, “We started the game playing some really sound defense…so I think that’s something we could really build on.”
Hoerster is heading into his 15th season and has seen the program experience many highs and lows. He hopes to use the loss to “overcome something hard like we experienced on Friday and then bounce back for a long football season.”
Despite a contest that was comfortably won by Fenwick, several players showed promise. Smith, the junior running back, was a standout for the Huskies last season. In the first game of the season against Rich Township, which the Huskies won 28-6, Smith rushed for 119 yards.
Smith once again showed positive signs against a much tougher Fenwick defense. After the game, Smith said, “I feel like our run game for the most part was pretty good, and I feel like our offensive line actually did a really good job at pass protection.”
A key part of what OPRF Football stands for is its identity, even in tough moments. Smith said, “Our motto and team identity is grit. You have to battle back and just work hard for the next game.”
Hoerster also highlighted junior Connor Krumrei and senior Pierre Nelson as standout performers. Hoerster said, “[Krumrei’s] effort and his motor and his just desire to compete is phenomenal.” Krumrei was unable to play the second half because of a knee issue, but Hoerster is optimistic that he will be able to return for the game against Glenbard West this Friday.
Nelson was also lauded for his effort. “He’s the type of guy who’s going to show up and fight every play, offense and defense,” Hoerster said. OPRF learned to rely on Nelson last season, and his performances in the first two games of the season show why he is such a valuable player for the team.
Along with ensuring that his players not only become better players during their time at OPRF, Hoerster also makes it his priority that his players become better people as well.
“If this is the worst thing that happens to you, then you’ve lived a pretty fortunate life. So, fortunately, we get to play seven more games and we get to respond to this,” Hoerster said.
The Huskies now sit at 1-1 and will look to bounce back when they host Glenbard West today, aiming to showcase the grit and identity that define this team.
