In a thrilling Friday night football matchup, the Oak Park High School Northmen delivered an unforgettable performance, securing a resounding victory against the Ruskin Golden Eagles with a final score of 44-0. The Northmen showcased their prowess on both sides of the ball, and ‘25 Travon Pankey emerged as a standout player with an outstanding four-touchdown performance.

The game began with a burst of energy as #1 Travon Pankey showcased his speed and agility with a 7-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful Zander Culp kick, setting Oak Park on the path to victory. The Northmen's defensive player, #33 ‘25 Dom Cude, fought through and sacked the Ruskin QB in the endzone for a safety, making the score 9-0 Oak Park. 

Pankey continued fighting for the Northmen with an 11-yard run for his second touchdown of the night. #81 ‘25 Zander Culps' kick was no good, leaving the score 15-0. 

#7 ‘24 Evan Braxton wrapped up the first quarter by receiving a 19-yard touchdown pass from #2 ‘24 Aiden Hinkle, combined with a successful kick from Zander Culp, leaving the Northmen with a commanding 22-0 lead in the first quarter. 

The Northmen's defense remained relentless, with #59 ‘24 Ben Brandes gaining a sack for a loss of 10 yards. A pack of defensive Northmen held strong the entire quarter, not allowing Ruskin to pass the 50-yard line. 

Travon Pankey opened the second quarter with an 87-yard run for a touchdown, and Culps' kick was on target, resulting in a score of Oak Park 29, Ruskin 0. 

Oak Park’s #14 ‘25 Drew Clemens closed the half with a spectacular catch, a 22-yard touchdown pass from Aiden Hinkle, followed by another precise kick from Culp. 

The half ended with a score of 36-0 Oak Park. Northmens defensive corner, #8 ‘25 Emanuel Kok caught an interception, bringing even more energy to the field. 

The Ruskin Golden Eagles maintained their high spirits as they came back to start the second half. However, Pankey added his fourth touchdown of the game with a 21-yard run, and Hinkle executed a perfect two-point conversion to widen the gap even further. 

The Gold Eagles struggled to find any answers against the relentless Northmen defense, who managed to hold the Ruskin Eagles scoreless and 38 total yards on the night.

In the fourth quarter, neither team managed to score, and Oak Park wisely focused on maintaining their impressive lead. The final whistle blew, solidifying the Northmen's resounding victory and leaving no doubt that they were the superior team on the field. The final score was Oak Park 44, Ruskin 0. 

While Ruskin suffered a tough loss, their determination and fighting spirit deserve recognition. The Northmen's dominant performance serves as a testament to their dedication and skill, making their fans proud and keeping the Oak Park spirit alive and well #ForTheFamily

#7 (Class 6) Oak Park travels to battle the Eagles of #2 (Class 5) Grain Valley on Friday Night.  Kick-Off 7:00pm

Live Stream provided by Grain Valley can be accessed here: