Wheaton Warrenville South faces biggest challenge yet
When Wheaton Warrenville South football coach Ron Muhitch scouted St. Rita's game against Loyola a few weeks ago, he first noticed the Mustangs' immense size on their lines and then their impressive team speed.
Then something funny happened this week when he watched St. Rita on tape.
"I think they actually looked a little bigger and faster," Muhitch said with a laugh.
Second-seeded WW South (10-1) faces its biggest challenge of the postseason in Friday night's Class 7A quarterfinal game in Chicago against the No. 4 Mustangs (9-2). Both teams would look right at home playing for a state title Thanksgiving weekend, but only one will survive to the semifinals.
"We're definitely half the size of them," Muhitch said. "That's going to be a formidable challenge with our offensive and defensive lines."
In the only other playoff meeting between the perennial powers two years ago, the Tigers had to scratch and claw for a come-from-behind 26-22 victory. Plan on another doozy Friday.
WW South's offense couldn't be more balanced this season thanks to an experienced offensive line anchored by Nick Immekus, Rocco Ammons and Chris Cortopassi. The Tigers have passed for 1,837 yards and rushed for 1,865. That ideal mix will be crucial again.
Junior quarterback Reilly O'Toole still hasn't thrown an interception while boasting 22 touchdowns and 64 percent passing. His effectiveness received a jolt with the return from a knee injury of receiver Steve Kmiotek, but standout tight end Dan Hohenstein was lost last week with a knee injury.
The running tandem of Matt Rogers and Julian Banuelos needs to find holes against a stout St. Rita defense led by 6-foot-3, 310-pound tackle Bruce Gaston Jr., who holds scholarship offers from six Big Ten schools, Virginia, Arizona, Notre Dame and others.
Offensively, St. Rita's run-dominant offense depends on the health of junior running back Jahwon Akui, who left last week's game with what coach Todd Kuska termed a severe leg cramp. Backup Travis Starks, however, stepped up with 150 rushing yards.
The Tigers' defense, despite second-half lapses in a second-round win over Geneva, kept the Vikings at bay by forcing 5 turnovers. With the glue of defensive back Shane Dierking, linebacker Tom LaBelle and linemen Matt Ives and Tyler Becker, the Tigers have allowed an average of only 5.6 points per game since Week 2.
"We've got to be great in all three phases," Muhitch said. "I'd be surprised if this one didn't go down to the final whistle."