Oak Forest’s Tyler Gentile has played just about everywhere on the football field.
He started playing on the line with Oak Forest Raiders when he was 7. Five years later, he became a skill player, where he is today on the high school level with the Bengals.
He loves every aspect of the sport.
“I love hitting people, I like blocking people, I like scoring touchdowns,” Gentile said. “It’s all fun to me. I like doing it all for my teammates especially.”
He burst onto the scene as a quarterback for Oak Forest during the abbreviated 2021 spring season, scoring a touchdown in an 8-6 victory over district rival Bremen.
It was the Bengals’ first victory since 2018.
Now, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Gentile is a senior running back, wide receiver, safety and return specialist for the Bengals (5-3, 3-2), who are seeking a first playoff bid since 2016.
Nothing would please Gentile more than to take his talents to college. Even though he had a visit to Northern Illinois earlier this month, it’s been pretty quiet on the recruiting front.
“I’ve been looking, of course,” Gentile said. “I bring a bunch of versatility. I can do anything you ask me to do. I’ll be there and I’ll do it at 100,000%.”
One of his biggest fans is Oak Forest second-year coach Anthony Malopsy, who spent 10 years as an assistant at Brother Rice and has some connections to colleges.
“I want to try to find him a home for next year,” Malopsy said. “I’ve been in contact with NIU, Central Michigan and others.
“I think he can be a mid-major guy. I definitely think he can play FCS such as Illinois State or Eastern Illinois. Those would be good fits for him.”
Through eight weeks, Gentile has 497 yards rushing and eight TDs to go with 309 yards receiving and two TDs. He also has passed for a TD.
On defense, he has racked up two interceptions, including one in Friday night’s 29-7 South Suburban Blue loss to Bremen.
“Tyler is a phenomenal, phenomenal athlete,” Malopsy said. “He is, in my opinion, one of the most underlooked players here on the South Side of Chicago. Tyler can play for anybody around here. He could play in the Catholic League.
“I think he’s one of the top three players in the conference, and he’s not getting a ton of love from colleges. But I think he’s going to blow up here once the season starts to go into the playoffs.”
About those playoffs, heading into Thursday’s conference showdown at Hillcrest, Oak Forest is ranked No. 23 in the 32-team Class 6A bracket, according to the Illinois High School Association.
A win Friday clinches a playoff berth for the Bengals. A loss shouldn’t hurt their chances as they have a solid 39 playoff points, which are based on opponents wins.
Malopsy, however, said he doesn’t want to take the risk of going into the playoffs with a two-game losing streak. He’s expecting Hillcrest (4-4, 3-2) to play well.
The Hawks are on the outside looking in at No. 35 in Class 5A. They are in a must-win situation, and with 33 playoff points, there are no guarantees.
A loss means Hillcrest is out of the playoff picture for the first time since 2015.
Gentile, meanwhile, is looking forward to eventually playing in college to help boost a career in either teaching or nursing.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Gentile said about his future path. “I just like science to become a nurse and I like talking to kids because they are fun.”
“He’s a great kid,” Malopsy said. “We’re excited for his future, wherever it is.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
