Tigers: 'We want to be aggressive'
On the heels of a third straight DuPage Valley Conference football title, Wheaton Warrenville South has a new slogan.
"Go for two."
Pretty clever stuff.
Pretty realistic, too.
It combines the goal of a second straight state title with last week's win over Naperville North when "going for two" points following a touchdown allowed the Tigers to claim the 42-41 triple-overtime thriller.
That type of brimming confidence has last year's Class 8A champions energized for a run at this year's 7A title. The run begins tonight at Grange Field when No. 1 WW South (9-0) takes on No. 8 St. Laurence (5-4).
If the Tigers go on to earn the program's sixth state title they'll become the first team in state history to be a champion in four different classes.
"We talked about defending the title, but that's not the attitude we want to take," said Tigers coach Ron Muhitch. "We want to be aggressive and get after it."
Little has slowed the Tigers during their 23-game winning streak -- even after graduating the bulk of last year's title team.
New personnel carried on the same standard of play, starting with quarterback and team leader Mike Piatkowski. As he's completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,450 yards, running back Francis Adarkwa has brought balance with 959 rushing yards.
Combined with a Will Matte and Nate Williams-anchored offensive line and a solid receiving corps that includes Chris Schweighardt, the unit has picked up where it left off last year.
The defense reloaded around returning linebackers Mark LaBelle and Sam Burke. Against a Pro I formation with St. Laurence quarterback Adam Tapling behind center, the Tigers will face a team that lost to four of the five playoff teams they've played.
Tapling accounted for all 5 touchdowns in St. Laurence's Week 9 win over Leo, a win that clinched a playoff berth.
"The DVC was a great challenge for us," Muhitch said. "But that's over and we need to move on."