Seth Albin was a fan of Oak Forest football long before he started playing for the Bengals.
“I started to come to games when I was in fourth or fifth grade,” Albin said. “The fans would be screaming. There was so much energy in the stadium. I always told myself, ‘I would love to be on that field one day.'”
Albin’s wish was granted, and it’s likely he won’t come off the field much in 2019.
The 5-foot-11, 186-pound senior saw significant playing time last season on both sides of the ball.
Albin, a wingback/strong safety, is a threat whenever he has the ball in his hands.
Offense. Defense. Special teams. Albin will have opportunities to affect the outcome of the game and, ultimately, the season.
His response? Bring it on.
“I love it,” Albin said. “I get to put all my effort into helping the team all of the time.”
Oak Forest coach Jason Thormeyer has been impressed by Albin.
“Seth is one of our best athletes,” Thormeyer said. “He loves to work and is fantastic in the classroom. When I arrive for workouts in the morning, I know who the first person is I will see. Seth beats me here. He’s a leader.”
Albin plans on leading the Bengals (2-7) back to the postseason.
The final season of longtime coach Brian McDonough’s mostly successful tenure ended with a thud in 2018. The saving grace was Oak Forest’s victories came against rivals Bremen and Tinley Park, preventing both teams from reaching the playoffs.
Albin knows what ailed the Bengals and wants to avoid a repeat.
“Players began to get selfish and wanted the ball at all times,” Albin said. “We lacked leadership. It’s about family. I have no doubt we can turn it around and have a great season.”
To help make sure that happens, Thormeyer is going to take advantage of Albin’s versatility.
“We’re going to utilize him and get him the ball,” Thormeyer said. “You don’t get kids like him very often. He’s a special one.”
Albin is excited by the arrival of a new coaching staff and some much-needed tweaks to the offense.
“Coach Thormeyer is bringing some heat to the table,” Albin said. “He’s made it clear we need to step it up and get better.”
Albin is confident he will be better. He has put on 20 pounds of muscle, adding more power to his game. That hasn’t affected his speed or elusiveness.
He desperately wants to bring the glory back to Oak Forest’s program before he leaves for college.
With a 4.0 GPA on a 5.0 scale and an impressive array of skills, Albin should have plenty of opportunities to continue playing at the next level.
“It would be the best way to end my high school career, to make the playoffs,” he said. “We want to be the group to turn it around.”
Big addition for Shepard: Alex Harris,who was a difference maker last season as a quarterback at Argo, has transferred to Shepard. The 5-10, 185 senior will shift to running back for the Astros.
Harris rushed for 139 yards and a TD last season during Argo’s 40-28 loss to Shepard.
“Alex is a playmaker,” Astros coach John Rone said. “We saw that firsthand. We’re excited to have him. He may line up at quarterback in certain packages, but he’ll be playing mostly running back.”
Did you know? Brother Rice graduate Xazavian Valladay is at the top of the depth chart at running back for Wyoming. The 6-0, 196-pound sophomore rushed for 386 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season.
