After a record-breaking season for the Oak Park Eagles varsity football team, the Oak Park Unified School District recognized the team for their 10-0 season and winning a league championship.

“This was the first undefeated season in league competition in school history,” Director of Student Support and School Safety Stew McGugan wrote in an email. “The school board wants to emphasize and reward the hard work of athletic teams in our school.”

This recognition emphasizes the board’s support for the football team, and the effort and work ethic needed for their season.

“This is about honoring the team and coaches at the highest level in our district,” McGugan wrote.

There was no material gain from the recognition, but it offered a valuable honor to the team.

“This will not affect any other parts of the school. It was just a simple recognition that we are grateful for,” Head Football Coach Casey Webb wrote to the Talon.

Some accomplishments of the team include new records set by senior and kicker Gianni Smith, junior and wide receiver Alex Jones, senior and running back Matt Mori, senior and defensive end Luka Sarac, and senior and linebacker Dylan Natcher, according to the Oak Park Football website.

“These student-athletes devote a ton of time to the sport and school and deserve to be recognized for their amazing accomplishments and their hard work. This group of athletes was something very special on and off the field,” McGugan wrote.

Sarac set records for sacks in a season and number of behind the line of scrimmage tackles.

“Personally my season went really well. I put in a lot of work in the offseason and my hard work paid off, and I broke some records that haven’t been broken before,” Sarac said. “As a team, we all came together and realized that we wanted to win, so we all succeeded in practices and games together.”

Board recognition was the cherry on top of a great Oak Park Eagles Football season.

“It felt good to put Oak Park back on the map. It was also nice to leave in good fashion and give all I had to the school,” Smith said.