Scouting the Wheaton North Falcons
Wheaton North made no secret of its offensive intentions last season.
The Falcons were going to pound the ground game and then pound it some more.
With running back Sam Singleton and his 1,600 rushing yards graduated - not to mention the bulk of a tremendous offensive line - the focus shifts a bit. The Falcons still plan on emphasizing the run, but they know the pass game must emerge.
"It'll look a little bit different," said Falcons football coach Joe Wardynski. "We're going to have to throw the ball more. We just don't have the personnel to line up and run it at people like we did last year."
The run game remains a focus not only because of returning running back Antowon Tolbert, a third-year varsity member who last year rushed for 432 yards. The Falcons also need time to break in a new quarterback, a summer competition that came down to junior Nathan Love and Jason Sosnowski.
The offensive line is building around Ryan Maloney and Trevor Gabriele to take advantage of returning receiver Christian Halstead and tight end Jake Johnson.
The defense is thin on experience, but the few returners are good. Junior linebacker Xander Mueller already figures to be the unit's best player. Defensive backs Drake Dickinson, back from injury, and Sam Chesney return in addition to lineman Jacob Secrest, who had 5.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
As the Falcons head into the unknown of the DuKane Conference, they'll need to be ready for anything on both sides of the ball.
"We still have a lot of questions," Wardynski said. "We led the (DuPage Valley Conference) in fewest points allowed last year, but we don't know what to expect this year. For us to be able to shut people down like last year, that'll be tough."
One to watch: The Falcons open DuKane play against one of the contenders for the first conference title - St. Charles North.
The breakdown
Coach: Joe Wardynski (11th year, 67-39).
2017 record: 8-3, 6-2, second in DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Xander Mueller (LB, 6-3, 205, jr.), Antowon Tolbert (RB, 5-10, 205, sr.), Drake Dickinson (DB, 6-0, 180, sr.), Jacob Secrest (DL, 6-3, 210, sr.), Christian Halstead (WR, 6-0, 170, jr.), Jake Johnson (TE, 6-5, 220, sr.), Sam Chesney (DB, 5-8, 150, sr.), Ryan Maloney (OL, 6-2, 240, sr.), Trevor Gabriele (OL, 6-0, 225, sr.), Eli Odell (WR, 6-2, 155, sr.), Nathan Love (QB, 6-0, 180, jr.), Jason Sosnowski (QB, 6-3, 170, sr.), Stephen Garner (RB, 5-10, 195, jr.).
- Kevin Schmit
Schedule
Wheaton North
Fri, 8/24, Wheaton North at Evanston, 7 p.m.
Fri, 8/31, Wheaton North at Lake Forest, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/7, Wheaton North at St. Charles North, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/14, Wheaton North at Lake Park, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/21, Glenbard North at Wheaton North, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/28, Wheaton Warrenville South at Wheaton North, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/5, Wheaton North at Geneva, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/12, St. Charles North at Wheaton North, 7 p.m.
Fri, 10/19, Batavia at Wheaton North, 7:30 p.m.