Oak Park-River Forest junior running back Keith Robinson has worked in the shadow of senior Terrance Roundy, who leads the Huskies in rushing yards.
But under Roundy’s guidance, Robinson is establishing himself as a rising star.
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Roundy has 645 yards rushing and six touchdowns, while Robinson has 405 yards on the ground and is averaging 8.4 yards per carry. He’s scored three times.
“He’s great. I look up to him,” Robinson said of Roundy. “He’s one of my role models. Every day in practice he’s telling me what I should do better, and I just follow his example.”
In the Week 9 game against Lyons, Robinson gained a season-high 130 yards rushing on 12 carries with one touchdown. His scoring run came from 79 yards.
On that play, Robinson took the handoff and started running left. He cut back to the middle when a huge hole opened up, then veered right and outraced Lyons’ defenders down the sideline into the end zone.
The touchdown pulled the Huskies to within a point midway through the second quarter. Lyons beat OPRF 31-14.
Robinson also scored on a two-point conversion run and caught three passes for 28 yards.
He first played varsity football as a sophomore.
“At first I was kind of nervous, but as I grew up with my team, made bonds and trusted them, I got comfortable with it,” he said.
When Robinson isn’t taking a handoff or a pitch, he’s making plays from the wildcat formation.
“I really like it,” Robinson said. “It’s easier for me to find holes because I have a better, wide range of vision.”
In a win against York in Week 7, Robinson ran for 89 yards, and Roundy had 127. In a victory against Morton in Week 4, Robinson caught two passes for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Robinson’s success comes from his ability to find holes, shake off would-be tacklers and win most foot races in the open field.
OPRF (5-4) qualified for the Class 8A state playoffs and will visit Marist (9-0) in the first round.
“Just go in with a full head of steam,” Robinson said of the playoffs.
Bob Hurst is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press