The Oak Park and River Forest High School football team, known as the Huskies, is entering a pivotal season after a long playoff drought, with a renewed focus on talent and teamwork.
Returning seniors such as Liam Smith, Ben Lambe and Connor Krumrei bring experience, while new quarterback Liam Brown has shown marked improvement, giving the offense a fresh spark.
Building on Experience and Youth
Head coach John Hoerster, in his 16th year, emphasizes the leadership of Brown and the physical presence of Lambe, noting that the sophomore class adds depth and energy.
The team opens the season at home against Rich Township on August 21, a game that will set the tone for a schedule that includes expanded state playoffs, now featuring 48 schools instead of 32.
With a target of at least five wins, the Huskies hope to finally break the 2018 playoff drought and return to the postseason, a goal that has eluded the program for nearly a decade.
The coaching staff highlights the continuity of four returning starters, including Connor Ganschow, Richie Truelove and Niko Vielehr, while sophomores Tavion Coleman, Cameron Minish‑Murray and Labrone Neal are expected to make significant contributions.
Lambe, described by Krumrei as a “physical phenom,” anchors the defensive line, while Smith’s backfield prowess earned him All‑WSC Silver Team honors for two consecutive seasons, having amassed 906 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 2025.
Brown’s ascent from limited reps to full‑time quarterback has been accompanied by a noticeable boost in confidence and decision‑making, a development that Hoerster believes will be decisive in close games.