The Oak Park High School football team defeated the Sun Valley-Village Christian football team in a decisive 17-15 victory on Friday, Nov. 7 at Glendale Community College. The game was possibly OPHS’ most impressive win of the season, and it was spearheaded by quarterback Grayson Auzat, who finished with 148 all-purpose yards on the night.

“It was a great game, we were predicted to lose by 28 points,” junior kicker Liam Virtue said. “We had to use every ounce of passion and grit to win this game. Every player gave it everything they had.”

The Eagles were up 14-0 at the halftime mark, and they held on even amidst a late rally from the opponents to secure the victory. The team has gone through a lot this past year, and this game was a culmination of the work they’ve put in to improve their craft.

“We’ve been working really hard and it really is something special that we’ve built,” junior safety Derek Dermott said. “A lot of these guys have been working together since JV and we’ve been building off of each other’s energy to reach this point.”

While football is often a game determined by splashy plays such as deep throws down the field or violent quarterback sacks, this matchup was decided by the special teams.

“They missed an easy 24 yarder earlier in the game,” Virtue said. “Then, at the end of the game, sophomore Luke Zapko blocked their last field goal attempt that would have given them the win. It was a beautiful moment.”

Zapko, last week’s tackling leader and athlete of the week, ended the game in one of the Eagles’ closest matches of the season. With this win, the Eagles will be advancing to the next round of the playoffs.

“I love my team, and we aren’t here to mess around,” Dermott said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Come support the Eagles next week at Tahquitz, on Friday Nov. 14, as they look to advance to the next round of the CIF playoffs.