The numbers don’t lie.
When it comes to the most productive high school running backs in Southland history, Dion Foster ranks near the top of that list.
The 2005 Richards graduate finished his three-year varsity career with 5,477 yards and 76 touchdowns.
Foster was an unstoppable force, even with defenses focusing much of their attention on containing him.
On most nights, it didn’t work. Foster was a runaway freight train.
The 5-foot-9, 208-pound workhorse rushed for 1,909 yards and 32 TDs as a sophomore, and then ran for 1,558 yards and 19 TDs as a junior and 2,010 yards and 25 TDs as a senior.
Richards produced a 28-7 record and twice advanced to the Class 6A quarterfinals during his three seasons.
“I grew up in Oak Forest and I would go to their games,” Eisenhower football coach Sheamus Murphy said. “Playing Richards was always a big game, and I remember watching Dion. He was a stud.”
That “stud” is now a member of Eisenhower’s coaching staff.
Foster was hired in 2020 and will be the offensive coordinator for the junior varsity. His impact, however, will be felt beyond what plays to run.
The Robbins native will provide plenty of wisdom, and he’s a familiar name to many players and their families.
“I put a lot emphasis on being a great teammate and being an ever greater person,” Foster said. “I want what’s best for kids.”
Foster, 34, has been coaching for the Robbins Eagles youth football program for five years. It was after an Eagles game in 2019 when Murphy and Foster’s paths crossed.
“He asked me if I was interested in coaching in high school,” Foster said of Murphy. “I’ve always wanted to coach high school. I was very interested.”
Foster was a four-star recruit who attracted interest from colleges across the country. He had offers from Tennessee, Michigan, Wisconsin, USC and Iowa.
He chose Wisconsin, which relied heavily on running the football.
It seemed like a perfect match between the fleet-footed, physical Foster and the Badgers’ pound-the-ball style.
Foster never saw the field, though, and eventually transferred to South Dakota after his sophomore season.
“I had a lot of family stuff going on when I was at Wisconsin,” Foster said. “I got sidetracked for a little bit, but I was able to get another opportunity.”
Indeed, he rushed for 185 yards and three TDs as a junior at South Dakota before tearing the biceps muscle and labrum in his left arm, which ultimately ended his career.
“You have dreams of getting to the NFL,” Foster said. “The doctors told me if I injured my arm again I could lose it.”
What Foster hasn’t lost is his love and respect for former Richards coach Gary Korhonen, who died in 2017 at age 77.
“I’m where I’m at today because of him,” Foster said. “That man did a lot for me.”
And he’s at Eisenhower because of Murphy, who believes Foster will have a major influence on the future of the kids he coaches.
“He has a great story and perspective on the college football recruiting process that he can share with our players,” Murphy said. “He has the respect of our community.”
Foster, a father of sons Isaiah, 13, and Micah, 11, will always be a Bulldog. But he has no problem shifting his allegiance to rival Eisenhower.
“Not at all,” he said. “I appreciate Sheamus giving me this opportunity. I’m sure when we play Richards over there, I’ll have some tears in my eyes.
“But I’m excited. The future is bright. I want to be a mentor and role model for these kids.”