Photo Credit: Todd Nugent/PC Preps Extra 
With a resounding win against a district rival Friday night, Oak Park accomplished something that hasn’t been done in almost two decades – begin the season with five wins in a row.
The Northmen throttled Platte County, 47-25, thanks to a dominant performance from its running game and continued its undefeated season in the process.
Oak Park coach Ken Clemens was an assistant coach at the school when the team last went 5-0 during the 2003 season, and he reflected on the team’s latest victory that took place in front of a raucous crowd.
“Every game is meaningful, no matter if it’s a win or loss,” Clemens said. “What we talk about is winning is a lot more fun than losing. We find meaning in either one, but we like winning.”
Facing off against one of the Northland’s premier programs in Platte County, the Northmen set the tone from the very first drive of the game. They used a 17-play drive that spanned more than 9 minutes, resulting in Marlon Gant Jr.’s 1-yard touchdown that made it 6-0.
Oak Park (5-0) ran the ball 15 times on the opening drive, as four different players carried the ball and moved the chains over and over again. It was a sign of things to come, and Clemens said that the opening drive played a big factor the rest of the way.
“You’re able to do that when you have multiple young men who can run the ball,” Clemens said. “It keeps the defense off-balance, and our kids did a pretty good job of moving the ball.”
The Pirates (1-4) tied the game when quarterback Dylan Zimmerman found Nate Walls on a short touchdown pass in the second quarter, but it didn’t take long for Oak Park to take control for good.
Junior quarterback Aiden Hinkle showed off his speed with a 55-yard touchdown burst, allowing Oak Park to take the lead for good. And after the Northmen recovered the ensuing kickoff, sophomore running back Travon Pankey scored a 15-yard touchdown on the very next play from scrimmage that only boosted the team’s confidence.
“I feel like that was a real game-changer,” Pankey said. “We realized we could take control of the game even further. All in all, it was an upsetting point for them and a turning point for us.”
Platte County kept clawing back and benefitted from a highlight-reel, 40-yard touchdown catch by Chandavian Bradley right before halftime, when the Pirates trailed 26-12. The team committed another turnover on the opening kickoff of the third quarter, and Oak Park took advantage again when Pankey scored his second touchdown shortly thereafter.
In all, the Northmen racked up 325 rushing yards as a team and only passed the ball six times because of its dominance on the ground. Pankey led the way with 98 yards and two touchdowns, while Xavier Williams (94 yards and one receiving touchdown) and Hinkle (92 yards) also played major roles in the run game.
Gant ultimately finished with two rushing scores, and Evan Braxton scored his team’s seventh and final touchdown as part of a balanced effort that highlighted Oak Park’s talent and depth in the backfield.
“I think that our running game is probably our most dominant trait,” Pankey said. “I love the line for it. We all run the ball, and I think we do a great job of it.”
Platte County continued to mount a comeback effort and received a boost from freshman quarterback Rocco Marriott, who ran for two touchdowns in the second half. But three turnovers – two on special teams and one interception – proved too costly as the Pirates fell to 1-4.
Zimmerman threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, while Marriott led the way with 39 rushing yards. Dawsen Mizell was the team’s leading receiver with 132 yards on eight receptions.
Thanks to a dominant showing in the run game, Oak Park scored 40 or more points for the fourth time in five games, and Clemens praised the entire team’s energy and attitude for its perfect start to the season.
“It’s great, and what’s been great is our effort,” Clemens said. “A ton of effort can make up for a ton of mistakes. Our defense and our offense both are playing with high energy, and that’s erasing a lot of mistakes.”
