Meeting East St. Louis reminds WW South of 2007
The comparisons to 2007 are becoming awfully eerie for Wheaton Warrenville South's football team.
Two years ago the Tigers beat St. Laurence, St. Rita and East St. Louis en route to the Class 7A title game. This postseason they've topped St. Laurence, St. Rita and, in Saturday's semifinals, they take on East St. Louis again.
Will the result be another trip to Champaign next weekend? Just like the last time, it won't be easy as two programs with 12 combined state titles meet in Wheaton.
"We've had a real good run here," said WW South coach Ron Muhitch. "But this is going to be a major physical challenge for us."
After beating Geneva, last year's 7A runner-up, and powerful St. Rita, WW South (11-1) faces the defending state champion Flyers (10-2), whose school enrollment originally had them in 6A until they petitioned the IHSA to move up a class to defend their 7A title. Their two losses came in the first two weeks against Ohio powers.
Despite graduating Division I receivers Kraig Appleton and Terry Hawthorne, East St. Louis still boasts tremendous offensive ability with a pair of third-year starters. Quarterback Detchauz Wray has thrown for 1,909 yards and 18 touchdowns while running back Courtney Molton's rushed for 2,092 yards and 29 touchdowns.
WW South withstood the pounding of St. Rita's giant personnel, and now the Tigers must do so again against the Flyers' lines that throttle opponents with a handful of 300-pounders.
"This is two straight weeks of good, physical defenses," said Muhitch, who praised the play of his offensive line. "Our line's been better at run blocking, but the pass protection has also been pretty good for the most part."
WW South's stable of offensive options has expanded under the guidance of junior quarterback Reilly O'Toole, who's thrown for 1,793 yards and 23 touchdowns. In last week's 23-14 win at St. Rita he completed passes to seven receivers.
The running game, meanwhile, has turned into a two-headed monster with Julian Banuelos and Matt Rogers. Banuelos, recovered from a knee injury, stepped up with more than 100 all-purpose yards against St. Rita.
The Tigers' diverse offense will try to give fits to an East St. Louis defense that's allowed 77 points in three playoff games, including 43 in the opening round against Bradley-Bourbonnais.
Two other factors to watch: The Tigers are plus-9 in turnovers this postseason and their special teams play is a difference-maker. Last week Nick Immekus nailed a 46-yard field goal while Mack Tracey's punts gave the Tigers consistent field-position advantages.
Every little bit helps this deep in the playoffs.
"Our football program's real solid with all three phases of the game," Muhitch said. "We needed all three last week, and we'll need them again this week."