It's Homecoming week for the Northmen as they host the 1-4 Grandview Bulldogs at Oak Park High School.  Oak Park is excited to bring this game home and host from the Oak Park High School Stadium, a new tradition for the Northmen who have made an attempt to host home games at their facilities for the last few years, after installing the lights in 2017.  Seating becomes a bit of an issue, but once the game gets started, it's a home game atmosphere unlike many have experienced since the 1990's.  There is no doubt the energy level here tonight will benefit the Northmen in their quest to match their season best just a year ago, and move to 4-2 on the year (3-1 Conference).
 

Battle Tested Bulldogs:

 
Don't let Grandview's record fool you.  This is a good football team with many bodies on the field who can beat you, and being week 6 they are playing their best football of the season, taking powerhouse Kearney to overtime last week on a Saturday morning make-up game.  Grandview is also a team that Oak Park has had trouble with in 15 meetings since 1977, going 4-11 vs the Bulldogs.  Throw the potential "Distraction" of homecoming and these Northmen should probably just hang it up, right??
 
WRONG!
 
That loss last week vs Fort Osage was ugly. That is not the Oak Park team we are accustomed to seeing, and in speaking with several players and coaches, it will not happen again.  Oak Park is moving on with the experience of that game and they are ready for the Bulldogs to come to town.  The Northmen have not been "Distracted" by a homecoming game in several seasons now, in-fact, they've put up some of the season's best numbers in games like these.  Expect the Northmen to take care of business and fill their role in all the Homecoming festivities...WIN!
 

Keys to the Game:

 
On offense, the Northmen face another tough Defensive Line this week.  If this group of Offensive Linemen want to make a legacy, they are going to need to exert their physicality on this team early and often.  #66 Justice Akinmoladun (6'0" 265lbs Senior) is the big time play maker for the Dogs on defense, and the Northmen OL will have their hands full if he gets into the backfield tonight.  Blake Bland will have to make some throws early to keep Grandview honest, and it's time for this receiving core to step up and make the blocks and catches we've witnessed in games like Platte County and Ruskin.  There is also a sense that Najib Alhakeem is ready to have a big night.  The run offense got bottled up last week in the 1^st half and didn't start clicking until late in the 3^rd.  If the Northmen can start the game the way they finished last week, I expect some serious yards in the ground game.
 
On Defense, the Northmen will look to bounce back from the physical game last week.  They will have to control the ill timed penalties and stop the big plays.  Grandview has a senior heavy offense and has spent time experimenting with their positions.  Things are starting to play out for the Bulldogs.  #25 Dae'Mond Turner is the signal caller for the Bulldogs, the RB convert is a play maker, and plays QB like a running back.  He will make you miss and has a good enough arm to beat you deep.  The Northmen will have to contain #25 to stop the big plays.  #11 Antone Grant (5'5" 150 Senior) and #22 Michael Kelly (5'8" 180 Senior) handle most of the work in the backfield and #10 Derek Yancey Jr. (5'11" 148 Senior) and #88 Damien Stephens (6'3" 210 Junior) lead the team in receiving.  The Northmen will need young players to step up this week and not let Grandview get the easy yards.  Tackling will be important, but Oak Park can take care of most of the mismatches but keeping the Bulldogs off the field.
 

Final Thoughts

 
Ball control and Special Teams play will be the determining factor in this one.  The Northmen must be in control of their emotions for this homecoming matchup.  Oak Park has yet to hit their stride in the middle of this season. The Northmen seem to be fully in control of their destiny and what has eluded many great Oak Park football teams in the past.  A Conference Championship.  There are no Conference implications this week, but all of the Northmen's Pride is on the line.  With the weather shifting and the leaves starting to turn, this is shaping up to be a great fall night for a high school football game under the lights at Oak Park High School.