Offense:
 
In the season opener for the Oak Park Northmen '22 Marlon Gant had a very electrifying game as he was used in multiple ways as a wide receiver, running back, and even a return specialist. Gant had 9 receptions for 83 yards with his longest being 43 yards. To open up the second half Gant had a 99.9-yard kick return for a touchdown. He was also used in the screen game as well as catching downfield passes from the senior quarterback '22 Ty Clemens. Gant was incredible in the open field making do with the blockers in front and beside him. Gant seems to have a solid season ahead of him as one of Oak Parks biggest downfield threats.
 
'22 KeAndre Braxton, being arguably the biggest offensive weapon for the Northmen, was able to show his talents off throughout the night as well by racking up 81 rushing yards. Right before the end of the first half Braxton bulldozed through multiple defenders to finish off a breakaway touchdown run. The workhorse of the offense was used to more of a run heavy offense last year and, will get many more opportunities to show off his pass catching abilities now that the play calling seems to be more diverse. Braxton has a chance to help his team win the home opener of the season for the Northmen this upcoming Friday. We're sure he'll be ready.
The offensive line is another part of the team that showed flashes of greatness throughout the game. Lead by right guard 22' Ian Risner and center '23 Wyatt Rueter the offensive line was able to help Clemens get off 43 pass attempts and rack up 229 passing yards.
If they can continue to give '22 Ty Clemens time in the pocket throughout the season Oak Park will have a much bigger selection of play calls definitely helping out the rest of the offense and team.

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Defense:
 
The Northmen defense didn't start the 2021-2022 season the way they wanted but there's no reason to give up on them just yet. Two of the touchdowns that were given up were busted plays that the Lee's Summit quarterback '23 Elijah Martinez found a way to score on. The defense was also put in poor field position because of some slip ups on punt attempts and a blocked FG attempt. This is nothing a week in practice can't fix. Look for the defense to be fired up and hungry to prove themselves this upcoming Friday.
 
Senior '22 Jett Sutton was doing what D1 commits do Friday night, his secondary only gave up 91 passing yards throughout the whole of the game. Really finding a way to be all over the field the way Sutton does reminds me of a Tyrann Mathieu type playing style. Let's hope he, as well as the other seniors can get the defense in check and help lead the boys to their first win of the season. The pressure will be on as everyone expects a good game because of the hype surrounding the new home stadium.
Sutton's name isn't the only one you'll hear throughout the course of the season, '22 Paul Hernandez and '22 Jermaine Harris are some you'll be sure to hear throughout the course of the season. Although both seniors had 3 or more tackles and assists on the night their names got overshadowed a little bit by the offenses and big plays by both teams. Guys like '22 Adriano Garcia and '24 Aiden Hinkle are defensive backs who's names I hope to hear more often throughout the year.

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What's Next?
 
When '22 Ty Clemens was asked what they could clean up in the coming week to help themselves win the home opener, the quarterback responded claiming

"We had some selfish moments where we weren't thinking about the team, and we look forward to getting closer in practice, so the same thing doesn't happen again next week." - '22 Ty Clemens, #11 Quarterback

The second-year starter also said that the team looks forward to the home opener at the brand-new stadium, knowing how much it's going to mean to the alumni.
 
 
Come out Friday, September 3^rd to show your support for the Northmen! It will be the first game in the new stadium featuring all of the fanfare, spirit and the debut of a new video scoreboard.

Kickoff will be at 7:00pm

LET'S GO OAK PARK.