Wheaton Academy makes triumphant return

Wheaton Academy didn't let anyone ruin its first on-campus football game in 25 years, and that included Walther Christian.

The Warriors beat up the Broncos 47-0 in what proved to be an exciting night for the Wheaton Academy players, faculty and fans in a Metro Suburban Conference crossover game and the season opener.

"It was awesome to see the Wheaton Academy community out in full force showing support for these guys," coach Brad Thornton said. "Its just an unbelievable feeling. Our guys have been excited for it all week long."

Wheaton Academy (1-0) didn't take long to get on the scoreboard.

After going three and out in the first series of the game, Walther Christian had its punt blocked in the red zone. Senior running back Camden Meade then barreled through the Broncos defense for a 5-yard touchdown run.

It was Meade's first of two in the game, racking up 65 rushing yards while thanking his inexperienced offensive line for the breathing room.

"They opened up holes that I could have driven my car through," Meade said. "It's real easy to get stats and pile up stats and score touchdowns running the ball, but if you look at the holes they opened they did a heck of a job and played really well today."

The Warriors put up five touchdowns before the half was over, two by Meade on the ground and three in the air thrown by senior quarterback David Thrasher.

Thrasher found senior wide receiver Sam Martinez for 5- and 30-yard touchdowns before senior running back Mike Silfugarian put in a 27-yard rushing touchdown to close the half 35-0.

With a running clock in the second half, the young Walther Christian offense got a bit more comfortable thanks to some nice runs from junior Corey Pugh. Still, the Broncos couldn't crack the Wheaton Academy defense.

"None of (the runnin backs) had a varsity carry before today," Walther Christian coach Bruce Tuomi said. "Our quarterback's a freshman. One's never played before, one played two years ago, so we're green… . We think we'll get better, but we got a long way to go and they did a good job."

Throughout the game the Warriors defense forced 3 fumbles, 2 interceptions and a blocked punt.

"They really bought into the system… ," Thornton said. "I was so proud of to watch them play as a team tonight."