Scouting the Wheaton Academy Warriors
Wheaton Academy beat the teams it should have beaten in 2016. The next step is to close the gap with the Metro Suburban Blue's top squads.
"With a 3A champion (IC Catholic Prep), it means competing at a higher level," said coach Brad Thornton, on a two-year playoff run.
Wheaton Academy graduated all-conference receivers Harrison Taylor and Mikey Alfano and gutty Nori Kasai, but many quality returners should hit the ground running. Slightly larger numbers may also create more depth.
The spread offense and 3-3 stack defense returns last season's top producers. Quarterback Ben Thorson, who passed for 1,721 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore, has gained a Western Kentucky offer. Running back Kent Harmon ran for 605 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. Noah Jones returns team highs of 35 catches and 560 yards receiving.
They'll operate with a stout line that returns big Graham Wall, 355-pound bencher Derek Johanik and Dimitrie Skakavac, a two-way starter named all-Metro Suburban Blue after making 70 tackles, 9.5 for loss, at linebacker.
Defensively, Wheaton Academy returns its top two tacklers in Skakavac and linebacker Jay Callentine, though Sean Blum is the sole returning starter on the defensive line. Versatile Miles VanderKlok tied for the team lead last season with 4 interceptions.
Thornton said a key is filling perimeter positions on offense. Junior wideouts Gerald Blackmon and Steven Ryan are candidates.
The coach's expectation is "that this group continues to elevate, continues to move us forward as a program," he said. "We've taken steps - small steps, but steps."
- Dave Oberhelman
One to watch: Week 5 at Riverside-Brookfield will give the Warriors an idea where they stand in the MSC Blue.
The breakdown
Coach: Brad Thornton (fifth year, 21-17).
2016 record: 6-4, 2-3, fourth in the Metro Suburban Blue.
Top players: Sean Blum (DL, 6-3, 300, sr.), Jay Callentine (LB, 6-1, 175, jr.), Derek Johanik (OL, 6-0, 240, jr.), Noah Jones (WR, 6-3, 195, jr.), Dimitrie Skakavac (OL-LB, 6-2, 230, sr.), Ben Thorson (QB, 6-3, 185, jr.), Miles VanderKlok (WR-DB, 6-0, 185, sr.), Graham Wall (OL, 6-3, 270, sr.).
Schedule
Fri, 8/25, West Chicago at Wheaton Academy, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 9/1, Wheaton Academy at Raby, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 9/8, Chicago Christian at Wheaton Academy, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/15, Wheaton Academy at Elmwood Park, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 9/22, Wheaton Academy at Riverside-Brookfield, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 9/29, Glenbard South at Wheaton Academy, 7:15 p.m.
Sat, 10/7, IC Catholic Prep at Wheaton Academy, 1 p.m.
Fri, 10/13, Wheaton Academy at Fenton, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 10/20, Wheaton Academy at St. Edward, 7:15 p.m.