Sports
Oak Forest Football Looks to Make '12' a Lucky Number
Tevin Coleman is one of 12 returning starters, giving rise to the notion the Bengals can extend their streak to 12 straight seasons of reaching the IHSA playoffs.
Oak Forest Bengals
Coach: Brian McDonough, 15th season, 99-47 overall.
Last Year: 6-4, 3-3 in the South Suburban Blue.
Opener: Aug. 26 vs. Chicago Urban Prep (East Garfield Park), 7 p.m.
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Outlook: Oak Forest is vying for a 12th consecutive trip to the postseason. The Bengals return 12 starters from last year’s 6-4 squad that lost in the first round, including standout running back Tevin Coleman. “The kids had a great offseason, worked their butts off,” coach Brian McDonough said. “We had a great summer camp. We had time to work on technique and it was good.”
Offense
Backs: In Oak Forest’s flex-bone offense, Coleman will be the obvious go-to guy. “When you’ve got Tevin, you’re going to be in every ballgame,” McDonough said.
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Matt Barry returns as the starting fullback, while the other wingback will be Eric Hollinger. QB Tom Zale was the starter for the sophomore team last season, but has impressed McDonough so far. “He’s a very complete quarterback. He worked hard in the weight room and is a very smart young man.”
Line: Kevin Ward is the main returning starter at center for Oak Forest’s offensive line. McDonough calls him “the coach on the field.”
Tom Barry will start at tackle, and Adam Barr gets the nod at one of the guard spots. Oak Forest just lost its starting left tackle due to a hernia, so the Bengals still have two positions to fill out.
Tight Ends/receivers: With a running-oriented attack, Oak Forest won’t put the ball in the air too often. But when the Bengals do opt to pass, returning wide receivers Joe Buckley and Artie Johnson, who both started last year, will be ready.
Defense
Linebackers: Alec Brown returns at the starting middle linebacker spot for Oak Forest. He’ll be centerpiece around two first-year starters in Kyle Sleeman and Rondell Sadler.
“They’re very athletic and an active group,” McDonough said. “They are the mainstay of our defense.”
Line: Alex Hansen is Oak Forest’s stud defensive end. At 6-4 and 230 pounds, he turns heads with his speed, but can also effectively use a bull rush as well. Opposite of him will be Tom Breidigan, while Nick Bukowski will start at tackle. Oak Forest will employ a 4-3 defense and the other defensive tackle spot likely will be split between two candidates.
Secondary: Blake Waller and Corey Brent are both returning starters at safety for Oak Forest. They gained valuable experience toward the end of last year when the Bengals lost some starters to injury. Dylan Swann returns at corner and Jeff Quinlan got some action at the other cornerback spot.
“I think our secondary will be the strong suit of the defense,” McDonough said.
Coach Brian McDonough said: “We’ve got to avoid injuries; we got bit by the injury bug last year. We’ve got to be ready for every game because our conference is just loaded.”
