Scouting the Westmont Sentinels
Westmont will play this season as an independent, DuPage County's first since Glenbard South in 2010.
Uninvited last year by eight Interstate Eight Conference schools that will jointly leave the conference after this school year, Westmont - an IEC member since 2006 - left early to secure affiliation.
That has yet to happen. Instead, a creative schedule includes four straight home games and offers foes ranging from downstate Salem to Wallaceburg, Ontario.
It's exciting, if a little odd.
"When I talk to the kids about it they don't have any preconceived vision on who we are playing, like 'it's Wilmington week' or Lisle or Peotone," said Westmont coach Dan Woulfe.
"With these new teams it's something new, something fresh to them."
Other fresh developments include rare offensive line depth featuring returning starter John Karesh.
Also, in just his second year of football converted running back Troy Schlicher will play quarterback. Woulfe said Schlicher may need time to find a rhythm, but he's game.
"We've heaped a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, and he wanted it since last year," the coach said.
Athletic Ishmay Kone shifts to running back, and Westmont returns top receivers Jaden West and Michael Thompson. Each caught 3 touchdown passes in 2017, West with 31 receptions for 411 yards and Thompson 22 for 270 yards.
Last season Thompson earned all-IEC honors at linebacker. In a varsity-only program hovering around 30 players, many will see double duty.
The good news is, led by the seniors, they've all got heart.
"They're a group of solid character kids we have this year, and that's top to bottom," Woulfe said.
One to watch: Week 1 at Seneca, a familiar foe on an unfamiliar schedule.
The breakdown
Coach: Dan Woulfe (second year, 3-6).
2017 record: 3-6, 1-4, tied for fifth in the Interstate Eight Conference.
Top players: Zach Gacek (OL-LB, so.), John Karesh (OL-DL, sr.), Ishmay Kone (RB-LB, sr.), Troy Schlicher (QB, sr.), Michael Thompson (WR-LB, sr.), Jaden West (WR-DB, sr.).
- Dave Oberhelman
Schedule
Westmont
Fri, 8/24, Westmont at Seneca, 7 p.m.
Fri, 8/31, Lake View at Westmont, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/7, Christ the King at Westmont, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/14, Wallaceburg (ON) at Westmont, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/21, Notre Dame at Westmont, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/28, Salem at Westmont, 7 p.m.
Fri, 10/5, Westmont at Westville, 7 p.m.
Fri, 10/12, Westmont at Warren, 7 p.m.
Fri, 10/19, Burlington Central at Westmont, 7 p.m.