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Oak Park(2-1, 1-0 in Silver) at Hinsdale Central (3-0, 0-0)


Jeff Davis, Sports Editor | Hinsdale Doings | Published Sept. 14 2006

• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at Dickinson Field, 55th and Madison
streets, Hinsdale

• Last year: Oak Park 10, Hinsdale Central 7

• Outlook: This early key West Suburban Conference Silver Division matchup
pits the Red Devils’ defense against the Huskies’ offense.

The Red Devils have allowed an average of 198 total yards per game and
just two touchdowns. The Huskies are averaging 30 points and 301 rushing
yards. Oak Park beat Lyons Township 35-27 Saturday after losing to Downers
Grove South 20-6 Sept. 1.

The Huskies, who last year made their first playoff trip since 1998,
return 14 letterwinners and nine full- or part-time offensive starters.
Seven Oak Park TDs this season have covered at least 10 yards.

“Oak Park is going to bring a lot to the table. They’re very fast and
very athletic. We’ll find out how good (our defenders) are,” Hinsdale
Central coach Mike DiMatteo said.

Oak Park junior running back Levell Coppage has 450 rushing yards, 105
receiving yards and six TDs, quarterback Justin Brown, son of former Chicago
Bulls player Randy Brown, is 23-for-47 passing for 215 yards and one TD and
has 220 rushing yards and four TDs. Jack Scotty and Zach Howard also are
offensive threats. Coppage and Brown also help in the defensive secondary.

Key linemen are two-way Max Brooks (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) and offensive
tackles David Pickard and Cory Elich.

Defensively, the Huskies allowed 305 yards (174 passing) and four rushing
TDs to LT and 268 yards (208 rushing) to Downers South. Returning
all-conference linebacker Josh Bixler was lost for the season to a knee
injury.

Jack DiNardo (32 tackles, 6 tackles for loss), Matt Kajmowicz (25
tackles), J.T. Sandstedt (17 tackles), Chase Culbertson (16 tackles, 2
fumble recoveries), Nick Chenier (16 tackles) and Jon Rogowski (15 tackles,
3 sacks) lead the Red Devils’ defense. Quarterback Zach Leathers has rushed
for 222 yards and four TDs and passed for 170 yards and one TD.

• Quotable: “Our offense, I think for the first time, is starting to hit on
all cylinders,” DiMatteo said. “When we finally get that to where we want to
be and combine that with solid defense, we’ll certainly be in the hunt,
that’s for sure. But we’ve still got some great teams to play.”

Copyright © 2006, The Doings