HINSDALE C. 7 0 14 21 42
OPRF 0 3 7 12 22
Considering OPRF football’s mistake-filled 14-6 loss at Lyons Township a few weeks ago, which included dropped balls, penalties, turnovers and blown coverages, perhaps it was inevitable although certainly not acceptable, that yours truly too would commit a journalistic fumble as well that game, misidentifying a Huskie (Adam Taylor) for a dropped pass in the end zone.
With apologies to Taylor, the Huskies made all the right moves offensively in the second half against visiting Hinsdale Central on Saturday in Oak Park, but the Red Devils still came away with a 42-22 West Suburban Silver victory.
Two immutable facts emerged from the Huskies’ loss. OPRF (2-3, 1-2) remains a work-in-progress regarding its collective identity and the weekly “name game” deservedly belonged to Hinsdale Central quarterback John Whitelaw.
Whitelaw, who could have just as easily been referred to as Murphy’s Law for OPRF, single-handedly dissected the Huskies’ defense for five touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 passing).
“Oak Park is a good team but we felt [leading 7-3 at the half] that we should have put more points on the board,” Whitelaw said. “We took that to heart and showed what we are capable of in the second half.”
On the afternoon, the precocious sophomore signal-caller rushed for 226 yards and passed for 115 yards.
“Whitelaw played extremely well,” Nudera said. “Hinsdale Central played the best second half of football I have seen all year. As for us, I see a team that is inconsistent at times, but when we focus in and really get it together we do very well against quality teams.”
With Hinsdale Central (4-1, 3-1) holding a 14-3 edge early in the third quarter, OPRF quarterback Clarke Cuthbert (17-of-28, 184 yards passing, 3 TDs) threw a 23-yard pass that was caught in brilliant fashion by Royal Farley, who snared the ball with one hand to close the gap at 14-10.
Hinsdale Central continued to extend its lead throughout the second half, however a pair of touchdown passing connections of 21 and 19 yards between Cuthbert and Evan Scott (5 catches, 86 yards) kept the Huskies continually within striking distance.
Levell Coppage (20 carries, 101 yards), Zach Howard (37-yard reverse run), Taylor (5 catches, 28 yards) and Samuel Frank (41-yard field goal) added big plays for the OPRF offense, which had 12 first downs and two turnovers.
Defensively, Jonathan Bibbie, Hans Goldenberg, Ronald Wells, William Lamar, Sam Norwood, Martin Hodges, Montana Bertoletti, Kahlil Draper and Daniel Green anchored a spirited-if not always effective-group effort.
“We played hard in the beginning of the game, but then our defense had a couple of mental breakdowns,” said defensive lineman Troy Aldridge, who had an interception. “We’re hoping for the best. The rest of the season, we have to strike first and don’t let other teams punch us in the mouth first.”
The Huskies visit Morton in a West Suburban Conference crossover game on Friday at 7:30 p.m.