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OPRF bears down, hands Leyden second straight setback

Wearing throwback jerseys reminiscent of the Chicago Bears, the Huskies of Oak Park-River Forest (2-0) dominated as a vintage mid-80s Bears defense might have.

OPRF did not allow a touchdown in a 38-3 victory over Leyden (0-2) in the Huskies’ home opener Friday.

The hosts came out firing, scoring 4 touchdowns on their first 6 drives to take a a 28-3 lead in the second quarter.

The Huskies offense impressed with 530 yards of total offense behind junior quarterback Lloyd Yates, who threw for 177 yards with 2 touchdowns while also rushing for 87 yards and a touchdown on only 7 carries.

Yates’ main partners Friday night were senior running back Jamal Baggett, who ran for 94 yards in the first quarter with 2 touchdowns (plus an interception) and senior running back Mike Hayden, who had 173 all-purpose yards.

Heading into conference play next week against Proviso West, coach John Hoerster knows his team has the potential to be an elite team behind the leadership of Yates.

“We have some really special athletes out there,” Hoerster said, referring his junior quarterback.

Leyden’s lone points came on a 22-yard field goal in the first quarter from Kevin Vargas.

Although the Eagles were not able to get in the end zone, their senior captain Aaron Whigham posted his second straight game of over 100 yards rushing.

“I believe we are going to bounce back next week when conference starts against Lyons Township at home,” Whigham said of his team starting 0-2.

Leyden, which lost a majority of its starters from last year’s team, is still trying to find some chemistry with the current group.

Eagles coach Tom Cerasani understands his team is working hard — the plan to have that translate into better results.

“We are going to continue to work hard and put them in good positions,” Cerasani said. “They are getting there, they are close — they just need to finish the deal. We are just going to get better.”

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