Preview: West Chicago

Hal Chiodo has tackled coaching challenges before.

When he accepted a job as West Chicago's new football coach in June, Chiodo added one more to the list.

In an 18-year career, the 53-year-old son of Hall of Fame coach Frank Chiodo led Lexington to three straight playoff appearances and Morton to postseason berths in 12 of the last 13 years.

By inheriting a Wildcats program hoping to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002, Chiodo brings the same goals he brought to the previous struggling programs he helped turn around.

"In my mind the minimum goal is to qualify for the playoffs," he said. "At Lexington and Morton the kids expected to win, and the only way we're going to get to that point is to win."

Winning this season won't be easy - not in the ultracompetitive DuPage Valley Conference and not with only four starters returning.

The Wildcats will go back to their roots in the double-wing offense, which will allow them to focus on the backfield skills of running backs Alex Pirela, a starting cornerback last year, and Chris Jackson.

Tackle Dan Martin and tight end Tyler Wrzesinski bring experience up front. Quarterback A.J. Romanelli, meanwhile, looks to adapt to a new system in his first starting season.

Defensively the Wildcats need to recover from the graduation of virtually their entire lineup that included all-DVC linebacker Taylor Overman. Chiodo believes the secondary could be a strength.

A specialist in coaching running backs and quarterbacks, Chiodo will primarily work with the offensive line to shore up that critical unit.

Step by step he plans on building the Wildcats into a competitive football team.

"Everyone, especially the seniors, has been awesome," Chiodo said. "They've all welcomed me and they've been working extremely hard."