Scouting the Wheaton North Falcons
Wheaton North's football team is about to find out how far it can stretch momentum.
Last season ended on a thrilling note as the Falcons won four straight games to reach the Class 7A quarterfinals - their deepest playoff push since 2002. After rallying from the brink of elimination to claim its first postseason victories in seven years, Wheaton North's back for more.
"The way we played at the end of last year made people take notice a little bit," said Falcons coach Joe Wardynski. "The kids are excited and we want to build on that. But it's a brand new year."
Four starters return on each side of the ball, including many of the main contributors to last season's success. Quarterback Reece Butler took over for injured Taylor Graham and thrived down the stretch, finishing with 990 passing yards and 497 rushing yards.
Receiver Richard Finley earned an all-DuPage Valley Conference nod by snaring 68 catches for 780 yards and 6 touchdowns. Right guard Rafe Kiely is a Division I college prospect, while the line also returns left tackle Mike Biegalski.
The Falcons rolled up 1,600 rushing yards last year, but no varsity carries return beyond Butler.
"He'll be a part of the running game when we run the option, but we don't want him to be the primary running back," Wardynski said. "We don't want the defense to focus its entire attention on Reece."
Some experience returns to each level of the defense, starting on the line with Montrell Williams, seventh on last year's team with 63 tackles, and Clemonte Dossie. Trevor Schmit is back at linebacker, while John Bloss returns at cornerback after breaking up 6 passes last season.
Building around the handful of experienced players will be crucial as the Falcons vie for their first top-half finish in the DVC since tying for fourth in 2003.
"We've kind of been stuck in that middle tier of teams, and it'd be nice to be closer to the top," Wardynski said. "We'll need to beat some pretty good teams to do it, but we'll see what we can do."
The breakdown
Coach: Joe Wardynski (third year, 12-10).
2009 record: 7-5, 4-3, fourth in DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Reece Butler (QB, 5-10, 190, sr.); Richard Finley (WR, 5-9, 170, sr.); Rafe Kiely (OL, 6-3, 300, sr.); Montrell Williams (DL, 6-1, 245, sr.); Mike Biegalski (OL, 6-3, 250, sr.); Clemonte Dossie (DL, 5-11, 240, sr.); Trevor Schmit (LB, 6-1, 200, sr.); John Bloss (DB, 5-11, 170, sr.); Shaniel Katariwala (WR, 5-9, 175, sr.); Mike Swider (LB, 6-0, 210, jr.); John Murphy (DL, 6-1, 215, sr.); Jake Schieber (DB, 5-10, 175, jr.).