Andrus likely to start for Oak Park
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Nothing is written in stone, but based on his performance Friday against Cathedral, it looks as if junior Kyle Andrus is in the driver’s seat for the starting QB job at Oak Park.
He didn’t get many chances to showcase his arm (he completed his only attempted pass for a 13-yard TD), but he did “run the option extremely well,” according to Coach Dick Billingsley and he scrambled seven times for 32 yards. As a result, Andrus is expected to start Friday’s game against Royal.
“He looked very comfortable out there and he was in control of the game,” Billingsley said. “We were very pleased by his performance.”
Still, the QB duel between Andrus and senior Nick DiPaolo isn’t over. Billingsley hasn’t ruled out using DiPaolo, who he says, “throws the ball better.” DiPaolo got the start against Cathedral but was pulled after his team’s first possession of the third quarter after going 0 for 10 with an interception.
“Depending on how the game goes, Kyle and Nick could both see time,” Billingsley said.
It’s too early to say who will rise to the top, but Billingsley better have a reliable starter in place if Oak Park is going to have any chance against Oaks Christian this season. With eight returning starters, the Eagles’ defense is arguably the best in the Northwest Division (even though their subs gave up two touchdowns to Cathedral in the final 4 1/2 minutes). It’s the offense that is going to have to undergo some additional tweaking before Oak Park is finally ready to ascend to the top of the Tri-Valley League.