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WHSFL team preview: Oak Park Raiders

By Mike Still , 09/05/19, 1:45PM CDT

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Rhyland Kelly is a game-changer for Oak Park

It's been five years since the Oak Park Raiders last won the Division 1 title. Chris Ollson and the troops have been working hard all offseason and believe they have what it takes to shock some teams in 2019 and get back to the pinnacle. 

"We took a step forward in the right direction last year and we’re looking to build off that season and continue where we left off," he says. 

"We have a hard working solid group of players and I really think we may surprise a few people this year."

A young, athletic core on both sides of the ball will lead Oak Park this season. Offensively the team is paced by grade 11 running back/receiver Rhyland Kelly, who has incredible foot speed and is tough to bring down in space.

Alongside him are players such as offensive tackle Justin Fletcher OT, a "big lineman with great feet and agility who is  also a great leader on and off the field," as well as multiple-time provincial team receiver Justice Flett, who's a big-bodied deep threat and a matchup nightmare. 

The defence includes grade 11 linebacker Logan Ritchie LB, who has great football IQ, as well as defensive linemen Sam Murrison and Mac Trudell. The former is "a tall defensive end who can speed rush and also hold the edge," while the latter is a grade ten "with great strength that compliments his quickness off the ball." 

The x-factor for the Raiders this season however could be senior Devlyn Kylmyster, who took the year off in grade 11, but was named offensive rookie for the JV league in 2017. He will be a threat on both offence and defence.