Richards’ Kamani Sapara had a gut feeling that his moment of opportunity was there.
The senior receiver then looked to maximize the impact with his athleticism and explosiveness.
“I didn’t have too many touches in my last game because I was getting double teamed,” Sapara said. “I just knew that this was going to be my week. They were designing plays for me in practice.
“I just had to go out there and have my moment to shine.”
That moment to shine definitely appeared Friday night as Sapara finished with six catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns in a 59-29 South Suburban Red win over crosstown rival Oak Lawn.
Senior running back Ahmad Buchanan, Sapara’s cousin, rushed for 189 yards and six TDs to lead the Bulldogs (6-1, 5-0). Sapara, a transfer from St. Rita, scored the first two TDs for Richards.
Sophomore quarterback Danny Strelow ran for a 30-yard TD and threw a TD pass to junior running back Jayden Schlosser for host Oak Lawn (6-1, 3-1). Schlosser also had a 59-yard TD run and senior running back Alex Soto added a 69-yard TD run.
Sapara, who played his first two years at St. Rita, caught a 50-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Noah Escobedo on the first play from scrimmage and the roller-coaster ride was on.
“Interestingly enough, the play was designed to go to another receiver but I felt the pressure and threw it to his side,” Escobedo said. “He’s one of the best receivers in the state. He’s fast and has great hands.
“I know I can always trust him when I throw the ball to him.”
Buchanan said his cousin was the one who introduced him to football when they were both 8.
“We used to play in the youth league,” Buchanan said. “He’s the one who really got me interested in the game. He’s got the hands, the speed, everything.
“Those catches and explosive plays he made at the start really set us up. We knew they were going to try and stop the run.”
Buchanan and Sapara have a great rapport, on and off the field.
Sapara’s speed and open-field running alters the geometry and space of the field. In turn, Buchanan can burst through the massive holes.
“I remember the first game we played together, he scored and he’s still scoring,” Sapara said of Buchanan. “I just have that kind of chemistry with him.
“I hear his name called on a play, I’m going to be sure to help him and vice versa.”
The two TDs for Sapara pushed his season total to 10. His 38-yard catch set up a 3-yard TD grab on the second possession. He also flashed his versatility by running three times for 34 yards and scoring on a 2-point conversion. His 20-yard run also set up the first of his cousin’s TDs runs.
“I’ve always been versatile, ever since I started playing with my cousin,” Sapara said. “In youth football, I played quarterback, wideout, linebacker. I’m just an athlete.
“I’m a fast, twitchy guy with great hands. I haven’t dropped a pass the whole season.”
If his cousin was critical in developing his early passion for the game, Buchanan returned the favor by easing his transition to a new school last year.
“We had my cousin, Myles Mitchell, and I was more of a role player,” Sapara said. “I was more of a decoy, but now I’m the main guy.”
A maternal uncle who played at Wayne State was Sapara’s inspiration and the one who was his most significant early influence.
“He got me playing when I was probably about 6, and from there, I just fell in love with it,” Sapara said. “I love the excitement and the intensity of the game.
“I think I’m the kind of player who lifts other players up if they’re down.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.