The 2022-2023 season opener was nothing short of an essential opening win for the Northmen. Another entry in this storied rivalry was played and coach Clemens started his season in the win column for the first time in 6 years at the helm. This win in week one not only put another game in history, it also changed a lot of history Oak Park has been on the wrong side of. 

Ken Clemens had his hands on almost every narrative going into week one. 

The start of Oak Parks 9 game losing streak against Tonka that ended on Friday? 

• Started 9 Games ago back in 2008 when Clemens led the Griffins 35 -28 over the Northmen for the first time in Winnetonka History.

The last time Oak Park won a week one game before last Friday night? 

• When the boys and blue took the very first game in Liberty North history led by first year Eagle coach…..Ken Clemens back in 2010. 

Oak Parks offensive attack may have looked one sided, but the ground game is all that the boys in blue needed. 

New QB1 Aiden Hinkle shined in his debut and only passed the ball twice on the night. The ‘24 QB ran for 73 yards on 3 attempts with the highlight of his night being a 28-yard run to extend Oak Parks lead to it’s final 41pt to end the 2nd quarter. Hinkle wasn’t the only playmaker on the ground as the Northman’s three headed monster of Gant, Pankey, and Braxton at halfback proved too much for Tonka's defense. 

I had a chance to catch up with '25 #36 Trayvon Pankey after the game:

Sr #9 Marlon Gant saw most of the action on the goal line and picked up 2 TD’s on 2 carries. Jr #7 Evan Braxton also picked up 1 touchdown. 258 Yards and 6 touchdowns is about all you could hope for out of your ground game

The Northman played a complete game on all 3 sides of the ball and defense was no exception. Coach Pugh’s defense held star Griffon running back to 17 carries for 88 yards, half of which came on a 45-yard scamper down the sideline. The passing defense for oak park could not have played better, rattling new griffon starting QB Dean DeJesus into a 6/9 night along with 2 int. Senior #10 Karl Knaak led the team in tackles and as the leader of the defense hopes to continue this momentum onto Ruskin

Coach Sharp’s special team unit looked very in sync with the highlight being a punt block by Karl Knaak. Field goal kicking, a problem Oak Park had in the past looks to be in very stable hands as Senior #49 Emilo Cruz, who had never kicked a football until this season, went 5/5 on PAT. 

I had a chance to catch up with Sharpe about his kicking situation and he said  

Kick Returns also look to be in stable hands with Senior #8 Xavier Williams taking the 1st team reps. Overall a very polished unit that will look to be a key piece in games this season.

Overall a great 3 phase game and the boys in blue will look to carry this momentum onto Ruskin this Friday.