Scouting the Waubonsie Valley Warriors
Waubonsie Valley's spread-option offense should indeed have options.
The size in front of returning running back Bryce Logan promises a run game.
Returning receivers Harper Cole, Julian Cain and Ryan LeMoine, plus Logan swinging out of the backfield provide a vertical dimension.
"If we get this group to buy in to what we want offensively and defensively I think this group can be very, very good," said Warriors coach Paul Murphy, 40 years into a teaching and coaching career.
Up front Waubonsie has size and decent depth headed by returning starters Chris Carter and Charlie Millington, Benet transfer Sam Skuja and 6-foot-7 Cole LaPlant.
"Our offensive line is going to be one of the biggest offensive lines we've had at Waubonsie Valley, with the potential to be very, very good," Murphy said.
Along with Logan, who ran for 261 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Cole, who caught 31 passes for 413 yards and 3 touchdowns, the offense features first-year varsity starter Jack Drow at quarterback.
Viewing 2017 junior varsity games and Drow's role on scout team, Murphy had no question that this "sharp young man" would lead the offense as a senior.
The 4-3 defense doesn't bring quite the experience beyond safeties Cain and Brandon Guido, lineman Avante Rogers and linebacker Carson O'Donnell, who made 118 tackles last season. If they and players like defensive ends Garrett St. Clair and Demari Wilson can help flip the field, Waubonsie has Cross Holmes, Kohl's Kicking's highest-rated place-kicker from Illinois' Class of 2019.
"Defensively, we're going to be young and inexperienced, but we've got good speed, good strength and right now we're exploding to the football," Murphy said.
One to watch: Week 1 at Oak Park gives Coach Murphy an idea how his team stacks up.
The breakdown
Coach: Paul Murphy (14th year, 90-47; 29th year overall, 184-102).
2017 record: 4-5, 4-4, tied for fifth in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Harper Cole (WR, 5-7, 145, sr.), Julian Cain (WR-DB, 6-2, 180, sr.), Chris Carter (OL, 6-4, 280, sr.), Brandon Guido (DB, 5-9, 175, sr.), Cross Holmes (K-P, 5-9, 215, sr.), Bryce Logan (RB, 5-6, 160, jr.), Carson O'Donnell (LB, 5-8, 175, sr.), Avante Rogers (DL, 6-2, 260, sr.), Sam Skuja (OL, 6-4, 300, jr.), Elijah Smith (DB, 5-9, 165, jr.), Garrett St. Clair (DL, 6-0, 220, sr.), Demari Wilson (TE-DL, 6-0, 185, jr.).
- Dave Oberhelman
Schedule
Waubonsie Valley
Fri, 8/24, Waubonsie Valley at Oak Park-River Forest, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 8/31, Libertyville at Waubonsie Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/7, Neuqua Valley at Waubonsie Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/14, Waubonsie Valley at Edwardsville, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/21, Naperville North at Waubonsie Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/28, Waubonsie Valley at Neuqua Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/5, Prairie Ridge at Waubonsie Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/12, Waubonsie Valley at Naperville Central, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/19, Waubonsie Valley at Metea Valley, 7:30 p.m.