Levell Coppage gained over 1,500 yards rushing last season and led the OPRF football program to its second straight state playoff appearance. This would be a simple preview story if Coppage, now a senior at 165 pounds, was the only viable weapon the Huskies have going into their 2007 campaign. But now there’s more to OPRF than the elusive and powerful running of Coppage. It’s a team of talent. However, the question that will need to be answered during the season, is whether OPRF is a talented team.
There’s an athletic and experienced quarterback in Clarke Cuthbert, who gives the Huskies a strong arm and an intuitive mind. Cuthbert, a backup quarterback who started at free safety last season, allows head coach Jim Nudera the option of throwing the ball, something the team didn’t quite have with the more mobile Justin Brown last year. The 6-foot-2-inch, 175-pound Cuthbert is a threat, especially when he has someone to throw to in returning starter Zach Howard (5-foot-9-inch, 170 pounds), and newcomers John Blue (6-3, 180), Evan Scott (6-3, 185), and Royal Farley (6-1, 170). The quick and versatile Howard will also return kicks for OPRF.
“We’re planning on spreading things out this season, and not relying on Levell to do everything for us,” said Nudera. “He’s certainly going to get his reps, but we also don’t want to put a bulls-eye on him either.”
OPRF’s defense this season is big, burley, and Bibbie, with returning starter Jon Bibbie anchoring the line at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds. Bibbie can bench press 375 pounds, but he’s not the only experienced big man on that side of the ball. Krystopher Watkins, tackle Jerome Perkins (5-9, 200), weakside linebacker Hans Goldenberg (6-0, 190), outside linebacker William Lamar (6-0, 190) and cornerback Kahlil Draper (6-0, 190) all return this season. Sam Norwood (5-10, 160), Sean McDonald (6-0, 195), Josh Blackwell (6-0, 195), Dan Green (6-2, 220), and basketball players Troy Aldridge (6-3, 240) and Adam Taylor (6-3, 225) are also expected to make a significant impact this season. Nudera has aspirations of Taylor playing wide receiver on offense, as well as possibly inside linebacker.
Senior Sam Frank (6-3, 250) will resume kicking duties this season.
The West Suburban (Silver) Conference looks up for grabs, despite York going undefeated last year. The Dukes lost several starters to graduation, but, like OPRF-who finished just behind York last season-other teams have bulked up with talent. Along with OPRF, Hinsdale Central and Lyons Township are both front runners for the top spot. LT boasts a quality quarterback in Ed Viliunas (6-3, 225).
“Our goal is to return to the playoffs for the third year in a row, and in order to do that we must stay healthy,” said Nudera. “It’s a difficult task when playing in a conference like this.”
The Huskies open the season with three straight games at home, something Nudera would have preferred come at the end of the schedule. They open against Elk Grove Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Conference play begins Sept. 8 at home against Glenbard West (1:30 p.m.).
Key returners: Levell Coppage,
Jon Bibbie
2006 record (finish): 6-4 overall; 4-2 in WSC, lost to Barrington in first round of playoffs 40-21.
Tidbit: The defense is strong and mighty, and the offense has Coppage and a sweet-flinging quarterback in Cuthbert. But can it all come together?
Coach’s quote: “The team two years ago cracked the ice for this program, and now we certainly have the potential to do more than that this year.”
2007 Schedule
Sat., 1:30 p.m. vs. Elk Grove
Sept. 1, 1:30 p.m. vs. Willowbrook
Sept. 8, 1:30 p.m. vs. Glenbard West*
Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. at Lyons*
Sept. 22, 1:30 p.m. vs. Hinsdale Central*
Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. at Morton
Oct. 6, 1:30 p.m. at Proviso West*
Oct. 13, 1:30 p.m. vs. Downers North*
Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. at York*
*Denotes conference game.