Football 8/28/2020 10:00:00 AM Gabe Todtenhausen

Nothing New About These Northmen

Experience leads the way for Oak Park in 2020

Week 1 (Aug. 28): Lee's Summit Tigers, 7:00 p.m.

In the first 3 seasons of the Clemens era, at Oak Park, the Northmen are 11-21. However, those numbers may be a little misleading if you don't know the recent history of Oak Park football.

Wins are trending upward!

The Northmen have collected more wins then each prior year and the 5 wins last season was the best record the Northmen have seen since 2008.

What We Know...

Oak Park and Lee's Summit have played 29 times since 1979, and the Northmen are currently leading the series 17-12 versus the Tigers. Though these two teams have not crossed paths recently (2009), Lee's Summit is near the top of the most common opponents list for the Northmen.

The Tigers have built a unique culture in the Kansas City area, one that has produced two alumni reaching the professional level in Forrest Martin, fifth round pick by the Giants in 1950, and more notably, current NFL starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos and former Missouri Tiger, Drew Lock. Besides what we can look up on the world wide web, we don't know much else on the visiting Tigers.

Both teams match up well with a good mix of upper and underclassmen, and there will also be two first year starting Quarterbacks on the turf with Lee's Summit's Landen Shepard and Oak Park's yet to be determined. Lee's Summit will also bring 6'6 240lb Max Wisner, a D1 prospect holding offers from locals, K-State, Iowa State, Missouri, Nebraska and more. This is also the first look at the NEW Suburban Red Conference for the Northmen, and the first game of the season will hold Conference implicaitons for Oak Park moving forward.

Welcome Back Lumberjack

In the 2019 season, the Northmen heavily depended on the running game. It will be interesting to see how this year's team utilizes their passing game, but it may be a moot point with all the weapons at their disposal this year. Oh, and that elephant in the room...an offensive line returning three senior All-Conference linemen. There is no reason to believe the Northmen need to veer away from the same run game plan from a year ago.
Speaking of that run game, Oak Park has options in the backfield with '22 RB KeAndre Braxton, who saw an increased workload late in the season last year, putting up 423 yards with only 55 carries.

Leading the way for the backfield, will be one of the best Offensive lines in the new Conference starting with '21 OL Jackson White, a 4 year starter for the Northmen. White, a 6'3" 285lb college prospect, has earned several preseason accolades over the summer, his experience will be important. Let me also reintroduce you to '21 Alijah Manning who the Northmen played without in '19 due to injury, however the 6'0 285lb mauler is back and looking better than ever after collecting a unanimous 1st team All-Conference selection in just his sophomore campaign in 2018. It will also be hard to miss '21 Michael Larson standing 6'5" and up to 295lbs this season. Larson has been an interesting find for the Northmen, beginning his football career as a sophomore, he has collected All-Conference and All-District Honors in '19, and now has the football IQ to go with his freakish speed and strength.

At the WR position, '21 Logan Willmann seemed to be the go-to option last season, and I expect to see '22 Lucas Oitker and a mix of young guys fighting into that rotation.

Defense Wins Championships

Defense last year was definitely one of the strengths of the Northmen, they pitched 3 shut-outs last year and held the opponent to under 20 points another 5 times. There is no doubt that this Coach Jake Danneman defense will be ready to go this season, and look to build on the successes of last season. Danneman is known for his aggressive 40 front defense that play with a bend don't break mentality, and that seems to the attitude developing here at Oak Park.

They'll just have to do it without "all everything" '20 linebacker Colten Tisthammer.

The Northmen's biggest question mark on defense will be that Linebacker spot, and returners '22 Jett Sutton will have to pair up with '21 Ardrace Hughes, and '21 Nick Hoops to make plays and lead.

I count six varsity returners on defense, and a handful more with varsity playing time.

This 2020 football team will be a mix young and experienced players, and if it is the right mix, the Northmen are in good shape to put up the first winning season for Oak Park since 2008, and better yet, continue this run of success.

It all starts on Friday, August 28 at the DAC at Staley High School at 7:00pm, where we will also be celebrating our seniors!!

The game will be streamed live on the following platforms:
https://GoNorthmen/Watch

https://www.collegesportslive.com/oakparkmohs/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvKnbtgImMrtR22jDvEkchw

Live stats provided by Digital Scout:

https://stats.digitalscout.com/football/boys/game/12604721

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Players Mentioned

#20 KeAndre Braxton: RB/DB; 5' 8"; Junior

#21 Ardrace Hughes: RB/LB; 6' 0"; Senior

#77 Michael Larson: OL/DL; 6' 4"; Senior

#56 Alijah Manning: OL/DL; 6' 0"; Senior

#41 Lucas Oitker: RB/LB; 6' 0"; Junior

#33 Jett Sutton: WR/DB; 5' 11"; Junior

#70 Jackson White: OL/DL; 6' 3"; Senior

#2 Logan Willmann: WR/DB; 6' 0"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#20 KeAndre Braxton
: 5' 8"; Junior
: RB/DB

#21 Ardrace Hughes
: 6' 0"; Senior
: RB/LB

#77 Michael Larson
: 6' 4"; Senior
: OL/DL

#56 Alijah Manning
: 6' 0"; Senior
: OL/DL

#41 Lucas Oitker
: 6' 0"; Junior
: RB/LB

#33 Jett Sutton
: 5' 11"; Junior
: WR/DB

#70 Jackson White
: 6' 3"; Senior
: OL/DL

#2 Logan Willmann
: 6' 0"; Senior
: WR/DB