Oak Park Follows Different Leaders

Three starting quarterbacks, three nonleague victories.

Oak Park High is the only area team which can boast of that.

Despite coach and player suspensions through the first three games, the Eagles have persevered with victories over Kilpatrick, Calabasas and Bonita.

“I have to give a lot of credit to the players for their team concept,” Coach Dick Billingsley said. “And I credit the staff. They’ve had to take on a lot of my roles.”

Eighteen players were suspended for drinking alcohol on the grounds of an elementary school and at private homes where they were housed during a summer passing tournament in Santa Ynez.

The players were suspended for two games and Billingsley for four games.

Nine players sat out games one and three, 10 missed game two and will not play in Friday’s game at Santa Paula.

Josh Walker, the Eagles’ No. 1 quarterback, posted the most impressive passing numbers in Oak Park’s 30-17 victory over Calabasas. Walker was nine of 13 for 200 yards and three touchdowns, and will get his second start tonight after serving his suspension in games one and three.

And how good will Oak Park be next week when the entire team and its coach return?

“It will be a pleasant surprise for everyone,” Billingsley said.