Wheaton Warrenville So. 31, Waubonsie 21
When talent is equal, execution makes the difference.
Wheaton Warrenville South won that edge and as a result beat Waubonsie Valley 31-21 in a nonconference game Friday at Dick Kerner Stadium in Aurora.
Four turnovers and untimely penalties dinged the host Warriors. A good team takes advantage, and the defending Class 8A state champion Tigers were up to it.
"Coming into this game I felt our teams were very equal in terms of talent," said WW South coach Ron Muhitch, whose Tigers (2-0) won their 16th straight game and improved their lifetime mark to 13-2 over Waubonsie.
"And when teams are equal it's a matter of plays and experience and being able to make the right calls. I think we did a pretty good job of making some big plays at the right times."
The Tigers defense allowed 242 yards, 200 fewer than the option of Waubonsie Valley (1-1) compiled in its opener.
"Our focus was just making sure everyone did their assignment, shut down their guy on that play," linebacker Mark LaBelle said.
Waubonsie tailback Kenny Harrington ran for 182 yards last week. Friday he got 68.
"There wasn't many running lanes," he said. "I couldn't find any holes."
WW South found daylight on its second possession to march 76 yards for a 7-0 lead on Francis Adarkwa's 4-yard run behind linemen Matt Sugrue and Nathan Williams.
A penalty on a long Harrington run stifled Waubonsie's next possession, but after linebacker Spencer Merritt's fumble recovery the Warriors tied the score 7-7 at 9:04 of the second quarter. Tyler Castro hit tight end Ben Smith on an 8-yard pass.
Another Warriors penalty helped extend WW South's next possession. Quarterback Mike Piatkowski made it hurt with a 1-yard option keeper for a 14-7 lead.
Thomas Marsh then recovered a fumble deep in Waubonsie turf. Dan Conroy's 23-yard field goal gave WW South a 17-7 halftime lead.
"Too many mistakes at the wrong time," Castro said.
Waubonsie pulled within 17-13 on Harrington's 1-yard dive through Brett Einbecker and A.J. Lindeman, but WW South countered with a 13-play scoring drive capped by Piatkowski's second touchdown run, a 6-yarder.
Tigers linebacker Pat Dansdill's interception led to an Adarkwa 4-yard touchdown run and decisive 31-13 lead with 7:10 to play.
Harrington's 1-yard touchdown run with 32 seconds left just narrowed the margin.
"They were (better) tonight because of the mistakes," said Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy. "But I think we've closed the gap talent-wise, and it's a question of getting that confidence under our belt."