Last week Oak Park celebrated their second win of the season with a tough fought victory over the St. Joe Central Indians 46-24. The Northmen offense showed what they were capable by putting up 588 total yards. The defense also did a solid job allowing -5 rushing yards and only 290 total yards, on some 3rd quarter big plays.

The Northmen are now sitting at 2-4 on the season and have a chance to record one of the biggest wins in any regular-season game in a decade. They will be attempting to do what no Oak Park Football team has ever done before.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM STALEY

Staley is a machine in every since of the word, and this Northmen team knows exactly what it is up against. Well coached, well practiced, and home to the KC areas best football players.

In their recent matchup against Park Hill South, the Falcons offense attempted to pass the ball 44 times, so it a safe assumption fans could be seeing a lot of passing attempts again this week. The Falcons 21' Jehr Fowler and 23' Cole Robertson combined for a 43% completion rate for 247 passing yards, and two touchdowns.

The Staley ground game likes to share the wealth in a 3 deep backfield that will try to keep the Northmen's hands full.

THE NORTHMEN DEFENSE HAS TO STEP UP 

The Northmen defense is either shutout or no-show this year.  Defense wins championships, and its held true for Oak Park this season, being one of the biggest determiners to victory for the Northmen this year. The Northmen need to bring that consistency play-to-play, quarter-to-quarter, and week-to-week.

If Oak Park can stop the Staley passing plan, they have an opportunity to solidify their place in Oak Park history. That job will be on the shoulders of the secondary. 21' Logan Willmmann, 21' Logan Linard, 22' Jet Sutton, and 21' Ardrace Hughes will continue to get better, but will be tested throughout the night by tackling in space, and stopping the "big play."

THE NORTHMEN OFFENSE MAY BE FINDING ITS STRIDE

Consistency is not just reserved for the defense.  You can't win games if you don't score points.  The Northmen showed what it can do last week verses the Indians, and it has to make the Falcons a little nervous coming into this match-up.  This year's team is full of depth and talent, and a running game featuring two of the States Top 10 running backs in Class 5,  22' KeAndre Braxton and 23' Marlon Gant Jr, an honor best served to an offensive line that has dominated opponents in the trenches all season long, and will be looking to test their talents on a traditionally touted Staley team. 

22' Ty Clemens and his receiving corps of '22 Bubba Bogart, '21 Logan Willmann, '23 Xavier Williams, and '22 Lucas Oitker, creates a new problem for opposing teams, having racked up 134 passing yards last week and 2 touchdown passes, Clemens also recorded several long rushes and showed his breakaway speed on a touchdown that sparked a wave of enthusiasm on the Oak Park sideline. If the Northmen can prevent turnovers and control the football, it could be a very challenging night for the Falcon defense.

The Northmen have a huge opportunity tonight to make history as the first NKC to post a WIN vs Staley since it opened in 2008.  The Northmen came close in 2019...will tonight be the night we witness the first Oak Park victory against the Falcons? With the energy of the announced groundbreaking on Friday and the future of Oak Park hosting it's own home games for the first time in 55 years, it would be a huge boost for this young and promising Northmen football team, for a school, and the community. #ForTheFamily

Oak Park High School Northmen vs Staley Falcons

Kickoff: 7:00 pm

Live updates on twitter @N2SportsOakPark