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Depleted Fremd gives everything before falling at Oak Park

Short-handed Fremd gave everything it had before dropping a 26-17 decision to host Oak Park on Friday night in the opening round of the Class 8A state playoffs.

Without five starters to begin the game and losing three others in it, the No. 29 seeded Vikings battled all the way.

Fremd led 17-13 with 7:26 left in the third quarter over No. 4 Oak Park.

But the Huskies scored on a touchdown pass and took advantage of 2 interceptions to rally for the victory.

Oak Park (9-1) will play the winner of Saturday's game between Palatine and Sandburg next weekend in Class 8A's second round.

"I am extremely proud of this group," said Fremd coach Lou Sponsel. "These guys have left the Fremd jersey in a better place. That is all I can ask our group. They fought as hard as they could."

Fremd (5-5) could easily have tossed in the towel when starting quarterback Tommy Josten left the game with an injury after two series.

He would later be joined on the sidelines by running back Charlie Kaye and Michigan State recruit Kenny Lyke.

The Vikings then turned to backup quarterback Justin Castillo, who played just a few snaps this season.

Castillo epitomized Fremd's effort.

Despite taking a few practice snaps this week, Castillo threw a pair of touchdown strikes and finished with 120 passing yards.

"I didn't exactly see this coming," said Castillo, a senior. "But this is what I have been practicing for all year. I just tried to give it the best effort I had. These are the best friends I have had in my whole life and I didn't want to let them down."

Castillo took over after the Vikings' Cole Patton forced and recovered a fumbled punt.

Castillo then drove his team 43 yards, connecting with Joe Schneider on a 4-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0.

Oak Park bounced right back.

The Huskies tied the game on 9-yard touchdown pass from Keegan Smith to Eddie Gorens. That score was set up by a 59-yard screen pass two plays earlier.

Oak Park then took advantage of a Fremd fumble at the Vikings' 9-yard line.

It took four plays for Oak Park to score on Smith's 1-yard run. After the conversion kick was blocked, the Huskies led 13-7 with 1:59 left in the first quarter.

Facing that adversity, Fremd again could have bailed.

But thanks to the defense led by Matt McCabe, Jimmy Walsh, Will Pankratz, Austin Spiewak, Kyle Saxon and Austin Schwantz, the Vikings kept speedy and athletic Oak Park at bay through the end of the first half to keep the score at 13-7.

The Vikings then came up with a huge play that changed the momentum of the game for a time.

On the opening kickoff of the second half, Oak Park botched the Fremd pooch kick and the Vikings' Nick Cechin recovered the ball at the Huskies' 6 yard line.

Fremd was able to advance the ball to the 1-yard line but a couple of penalties moved it back to the 12.

After a third-down pass interference penalty gave the Vikings another chance from the 6, Castillo's pass was knocked down.

Needing points, Fremd lined up for a field goal.

But Castillo took the snap, popped up quickly, rolled to his left and lofted a pass to kicker JT Kolderup for 6-yard touchdown and added the conversion kick to make it 14-13

"We weren't leaving anything behind," Sponsel said. "We practiced the play this week and picked the perfect time to execute it."

The Vikings added to their lead on a 28-yard field goal by Martin. The play was set up by 51-yard screen pass from Castillo to Alec Honickel.

Oak Park then rallied for a couple of quick touchdowns to take the lead for good. And again, it was huge gainers that hurt the Vikings.

The Huskies regained the lead on a 65-yard touchdown pass from Smith (9-of-18, 202 yards) to Gorens.

Antonio Cannon scored on a 1-yard run that was set up by 32-yard pass completion on a third and 9.

"Those big plays hurt us," Sponsel said. "We just came up short."

Pankratz, who was a two-year starter and senior, said he was proud to be part of a group that fought so hard.

"We worked our butts off all game," Pankratz said. "We played as hard as we could. I love each and every one of these guys. They are family out here and it was just so much fun."

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