When Antonio Cannon was named one of the four captains for Oak Park-River Forest’s football team before the season, the senior running back looked back to 2013 for role models.
He recalled how that season’s captains — Emonte Logan, Andre Lee, Jamal Baggett and Josh Hale — addressed the team. That team lost one regular season game before falling to Maine South 34-21 in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs.
“They told me so much,” Cannon said. “Everything they preached, worked. They didn’t settle for any messing around on the team. They preached brotherhood and getting better every day. In my sophomore year, we were one unit. There were no factions. Everybody was on the same page.”
OPRF coach John Hoerster allows his players to vote on the captains before the season. The fact that this year’s group represents two offensive and two defensive players is just a coincidence, he said.
“(The captains) are the leaders of the team. They are the liaisons between the players and the coaches, and they are the face of the program,” Hoerster said. “Our captains have done a tremendous job of keeping our team humble, focused on the moment, positive, accountable and determined to make the best out of every day.”
Cannon said it helps that one of the other captains is senior offensive lineman James Cousin, one of his blockers at right tackle. Cannon has developed a close relationship working together with this year’s offensive line although there are three juniors — Ethan Lemons, Sharmone Clarke and Jacob Hale — along with senior center Jay Heininger.
“I am proud of them. They have come a long way,” Cannon said. “They have actually done well for themselves. I say thank you all the time. They work so hard.”
The Huskies (4-0, 1-0 West Suburban Silver) are off to an undefeated start after Cannon, OPRF’s leading rusher, had 17 carries for 121 yards and a TD in the Huskies’ 41-0 victory on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Proviso West.
Now that former quarterback Lloyd Yates is at Northwestern, Cannon has become OPRF’s main offensive weapon. Last year, Cannnon carried for 806 yards and nine TDs. He began this season with a 57-yard touchdown run in the opener against Lincoln-Way East to highlight a 136-yard game.
Without having to carry the full load at running back, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Cannon looks energized this season. Senior Jamarri Watson helps out each game with several carries in a two-back system.
While Cannon is confident running the ball, he is adjusting to a new role as team leader with junior defensive lineman Allen Stallings, senior linebacker Jahmari Moore and Cousin.
“We’re trying to develop chemistry and work on communication,” Cannon said. “In team-only meetings, the captains talk. It’s me or Jahmari or James that have a lot to say when all the guys are around.”
OPRF is one of four WSC Silver teams off to a 4-0 start and the Huskies play all three to end the season. They welcome Glenbard West on Oct. 9, head to Lyons on Oct. 16 and close out with a home game against Hinsdale Central on Oct. 23.
“Four-and-oh feels very good,” Cannon said. “We are excited to get our first conference game out of the way. Every game, we are taking day by day, week by week.”
Twitter @geomwilcox
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