Oak Forest, Reavis set to renew
tightly contested series Tuesday
By Steve Millar
Oak Forest coach Kieran Byrne expects a tight battle when Reavis visits the Bengals at 6 p.m. Tuesday for a South Suburban Conference cross-over contest.
“Another quality program, another team that’s going to come in and be technically very, very good,” Byrne said. “They’ll play with a lot of pace and tempo and move the ball very well, so it’s about us and what we bring. If we can bring a better work rate than we did (in Saturday’s 1-1 tie with Lemont) and stay in the game, we’ll have a shot.
“It’s always a close game with them. We’ve tied them the last (two) times we’ve played them. It’s going to be a tactical game.”
Indeed, the Bengals and Rams played to a scoreless tie in the spring and a 1-1 draw in 2019. The last meeting where a winner was decided came in 2018, when Oak Forest pulled off a 1-0 victory.
Reavis’ last win in the series was also the last lopsided game between the two -- the Rams won 5-0 in 2017.
This year’s meeting comes with high stakes for both teams, which are trying to stay near the top of their respective divisions.
Oak Forest (7-3-3, 3-1-2) is battling with Lemont (3-0-3 conference record) for the Blue Division lead. Saturday’s game between the two did little to settle anything after a 1-1 tie.
The Bengals have never won their division, which was formed in 2006.
“We got some confidence from tying Lemont,” Oak Forest sophomore forward Mohammad Deifallah said. “We’ve got Reavis next, and we’ll be ready.”
Oak Forest has been strong defensively of late, with seniors Gavin Collery and Kyle Baker leading the backline. The Bengals have allowed just one goal in their last three matches.
Reavis (6-2-4, 3-0-3) is chasing Argo (5-0-1 conference record) in the Red Division and hopes to stay close leading into its meeting with the Argonauts on Oct. 7.
The Rams are coming off Thursday’s 3-1 win over Bremen. Senior forward Jose Rodriguez scored twice and senior midfielder Pedro Guzman added a goal.
Reavis is undefeated in its last four games, including a 3-1 win over Tinley Park, a scoreless draw with Oak Lawn and a 1-1 tie with Lemont.
tightly contested series Tuesday
By Steve Millar
Oak Forest coach Kieran Byrne expects a tight battle when Reavis visits the Bengals at 6 p.m. Tuesday for a South Suburban Conference cross-over contest.
“Another quality program, another team that’s going to come in and be technically very, very good,” Byrne said. “They’ll play with a lot of pace and tempo and move the ball very well, so it’s about us and what we bring. If we can bring a better work rate than we did (in Saturday’s 1-1 tie with Lemont) and stay in the game, we’ll have a shot.
“It’s always a close game with them. We’ve tied them the last (two) times we’ve played them. It’s going to be a tactical game.”
Indeed, the Bengals and Rams played to a scoreless tie in the spring and a 1-1 draw in 2019. The last meeting where a winner was decided came in 2018, when Oak Forest pulled off a 1-0 victory.
Reavis’ last win in the series was also the last lopsided game between the two -- the Rams won 5-0 in 2017.
This year’s meeting comes with high stakes for both teams, which are trying to stay near the top of their respective divisions.
Oak Forest (7-3-3, 3-1-2) is battling with Lemont (3-0-3 conference record) for the Blue Division lead. Saturday’s game between the two did little to settle anything after a 1-1 tie.
The Bengals have never won their division, which was formed in 2006.
“We got some confidence from tying Lemont,” Oak Forest sophomore forward Mohammad Deifallah said. “We’ve got Reavis next, and we’ll be ready.”
Oak Forest has been strong defensively of late, with seniors Gavin Collery and Kyle Baker leading the backline. The Bengals have allowed just one goal in their last three matches.
Reavis (6-2-4, 3-0-3) is chasing Argo (5-0-1 conference record) in the Red Division and hopes to stay close leading into its meeting with the Argonauts on Oct. 7.
The Rams are coming off Thursday’s 3-1 win over Bremen. Senior forward Jose Rodriguez scored twice and senior midfielder Pedro Guzman added a goal.
Reavis is undefeated in its last four games, including a 3-1 win over Tinley Park, a scoreless draw with Oak Lawn and a 1-1 tie with Lemont.