Shepard, Oak Lawn to start South Suburban Red season strong

Updated: October 9, 2012 2:23PM

After absorbing a 48-14 loss to Brother Rice to start the season, Shepard could have allowed the disappointing loss to fester into Week 2.

The Astros, however, chalked up the ugly defeat to a learning experience, one they hope will carry them to better days.

If a dominant 48-8 win in Week 2 over Solorio is any indication, Shepard is doing just that.

The Astros hope to duplicate that performance Friday night when they take on Oak Lawn in a South Suburban Red opener in the Season Pass Spotlight Game for the SouthtownStar.

“We thought we’d give Rice a better game than we did,” Shepard coach Dominic Passolano said. “It was a learning experience. The kids kept working hard and had a good attitude at practice the following week. I liked a lot of what I saw against Solorio, and I’m confident we’ll continue to get better.”

Where Shepard was able to bounce back in Week 2, Oak Lawn dropped consecutive games to Niles North, 33-24, and Oswego East, 31-6.

If the Spartans are going to register their first win Friday, they’ll need to contain Shepard’s explosive skill players. Quarterback Jimmy McClinton (15 carries, 168 yards, TD) and receiver Londell Lee are the Astros’ top threats. However, running backs Lorenzo Lashley, Kyle Dye and Devon Landfair can’t be ignored.

“Jimmy and Londell, whatever success we’ve had this season it gets back to them,” Passolano said. “They have to make the big plays and live up to the hype. They have to be playmakers.”

Oak Lawn would benefit from peak performances by running backs Ray Howard (30 carries, 118 yards) and Ahamad Shatat (21, 103).

Spartans quarterback Bob Olsen (29-of-61, 306 yards, 2 TDs) is a more than capable threat through the air. Nick Anderson and Connor Niemic have hauled in TD passes for Oak Lawn.

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