Tough nonconference foes like a pie in the face to local powers

It's like grabbing that second piece of pie at a Labor Day picnic.

You know you shouldn't, but you can't help yourself.

In many ways it's the same type of temptation facing football coaches as they plot their nonconference schedules.

Take a look at Wheaton Warrenville South, a program that automatically attracts interest because of its traditional success. When the Tigers play a top opponent, the crowds are even bigger.

This season, though, the Tigers may have grabbed that second piece of pie.

After taking on a ranked Hinsdale Central team in last week's opener and rallying for a stunning 28-27 overtime win, the Tigers now face Joliet Catholic in a clash of perennial powers.

Combined they boast 18 state titles, 13 by the Hilltoppers. It's a match made in heaven for football fans, but it begs a question.

Is it possible to overschedule?

"There are a lot of people asking that question," said Tigers coach Ron Muhitch. "But we couldn't find anyone else."

That pie slicer seems to be double edged.

It's not ideal to enter DuPage Valley Conference play on the heels of two games against ranked opponents - not with DVC doozies looming against Glenbard North, Wheaton North and both Napervilles.

A priority for any team is to create a path to the playoffs, a process that includes smart scheduling. Lining up two ranked nonconference opponents before heading into one of the state's toughest conferences is rarely the plan.

Sometimes, though, it's the only choice.

Dropped from the schedules of Glenbard West and Waubonsie Valley in consecutive years, WW South was left to find two nonconference opponents. Luckily for the Tigers, Hinsdale Central jumped aboard for the opener.

As Muhitch and WW South athletic director Bob Quinn soon learned, this year's Week 2 opponent proved much more difficult to find. After putting out feelers, the only responsive programs were East St. Louis and a school up in Stevens Point, Wis.

A one-year contract ultimately worked out with Joliet Catholic. Next year the Tigers begin a series against another state heavyweight, Maine South.

"What you're left with are these marquee matchups," Muhitch said. "No one's eager to play the top teams, and people want to see these big games."

It's the same scenario for most top teams, although for some it works out great.

Downers Grove South, for example, has begun a competitive nonconference rivalry with Bolingbrook. Mustangs coach John Belskis feels his team needs the toughest opener it can find after going 6-0 in the West Suburban Gold last year and beating opponents by an average of 32 points.

Many programs can't afford the luxury of a tossup nonconference game like that but, again, there's no alternative. They take what they can find and deal with it.

It's why seven-time defending state champion Driscoll had to go to Wisconsin to play Germantown. It's one of the reasons the Highlanders are playing Morris tonight.

In some cases the schedule does fall into place. Naperville Central will play neighborhood rivals Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley next year. Neuqua Valley will play Naperville North and Naperville Central.

But think about Glenbard North for a second.

The Panthers lost their opener to Bartlett, a traditional rival, and now face a playoff-hardened Crystal Lake South team they lost to last year.

If Glenbard North takes an 0-2 record into a DVC filled with Wheatons and Napervilles, it could cause some nervous moments in Carol Stream as Week 9 approaches.

That second slice of the pie could become tough to swallow.

kschmit@dailyherald.com