Preview: Wheaton Warrenville South

Every year WW South football coach Ron Muhitch creates a slogan for his team.

This year it's "Rise above it all."

For a program seemingly on top of the world, the words may seem a little surprising.

The three-time defending DuPage Valley Conference champions ride a 21-game league winning streak entering the season, they've advanced to the state title game the last two years and the semifinals the last four.

But the Tigers also come into 2008 with many new faces both on the field and on the sidelines. The graduation of 15 starters, two returners suspended for the first five games, and the loss of defensive coordinator Joe Wardynski, now the head coach at Wheaton North, has the Tigers dealing with their share of adversity.

"There's a lot we need to rise above this season," Muhitch said. "But we've gotten a lot of good things done."

The Tigers do have the benefit of three tremendous leaders returning from last year's Class 7A state runner-up team. Running back Peter Jarrett, who rushed for 715 yards, third-year starting fullback Mike Olp and linebacker Pat Dansdill, second on the team in tackles, head a group talented enough to win a fourth straight DVC title.

Questions linger on both sides of the ball, however, including at quarterback. Joe Furco and Mack Tracey each figure into the Tigers' plans behind one returning lineman in Todd Lorenzini.

The suspensions of linemen Jeff Schuman and Rahil Shermohamed hurt the defense, but Mike Riss is back to anchor the line. Joining Dansdill at linebacker is talented Sterling transfer James Eshleman.

Bolstered by a junior class that hasn't lost a high school game, the Tigers look tough despite the setbacks.

Expect WW South to rise again.

"It'll be exciting to see how this team develops," Muhitch said.