Oak Lawn Spartans Look To Build Momentum In Weekend Clash With Stagg

OAK LAWN, IL — When the Oak Lawn Community High School lost in Week 9 last season and narrowly missed the Illinois High School Association playoffs, it was disappointing for a hungry team that improved throughout the year. That hunger lasted through the summer, and the Spartans returned to the gridiron this year under the direction of second-year head coach Ryan Pattison with a desire to build on last season.

The 21-7, season-opening victory over Tinley Park last Friday night on the road showed that they mean business. It was just the type of start to the season the Spartans needed to believe in what they were doing all last year.

The Spartans were led by their seniors, and the ground game was a big part of the success. They ran for a total of 253 yards. Rakan Eid led the attack 142 yards rushing and a 34-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Ayham Salah kept it himself as well for 48 yards on the ground. Junior TJ Vrabel had 21 yards rushing, and fellow junior Omar Najmeh had 26 yards.

Salah also found success through the air, as he hit senior wide receiver Eduardo Chiquito for a pair of TDs. One of those was a 36-yard touchdown completion, and the other was from nine yards out. Oak Lawn has its first home game of the season Friday night as it hosts Stagg at 6 p.m.

~ Contributed by Brian Frangella, OLCHS Staff Writer