WW South juggling quarterbacks

When last we saw Wheaton Warrenville South, the surprising Tigers entered the Class 7A title game with three losses before dropping a fourth game in the final against Rockford Boylan.

Injuries forced sophomore quarterback Jordan Davis into his first varsity start, and the future looked bright with fellow sophomore Ryan Graham returning from injury. But my how that position has changed in the last nine months.

Here’s the breakdown at quarterback: Davis, a transfer from Texas, moved back to the Lonestar State for his junior year. Junior Casey Paraday, from Shiloh Christian in Arkansas, transferred in to WW South. Alex Willis, last year’s sophomore team quarterback, transferred to Montini.

Finally, after competing with the Tigers all summer, Paraday decided to transfer back to Shiloh Christian shortly after WW South played in a prestigious 7-on-7 tournament in Alabama.

Where does that leave the Tigers at quarterback? Back with Graham, and coach Ron Muhitch has all the confidence in the world in his junior signalcaller.

“Ryan improved tremendously competing with Casey,” Muhitch said. “He made great strides in the off-season.”

Behind Graham, an immensely experienced offensive line and a talented receiving corps headed by Corey Davis, who holds an offer from Notre Dame, the Tigers again are favored to win the DuPage Valley Conference and make a deep run in the Class 7A playoffs.

But with Naperville Central and Glenbard North coming off Class 8A semifinal runs, and with Wheaton North and Naperville North ready to surge, nothing’s guaranteed in the DVC. Glenbard North, in particular, looks strong with returning junior running back-cornerback Justin Jackson, who already has scholarship offers from Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue and Boston College. Returning quarterback Brian Murphy, who holds a full wrestling ride to Michigan, gives the Panthers tremendous talent on that side of the ball.

Elsewhere in Class 8A, defending state champion Bolingbrook aims to defend with returning quarterback Aaron Bailey, committed to Illinois. Maine South, with Northwestern-bound quarterback Matt Alviti, is also an 8A favorite.

In 7A the Week 1 showdown between WW South and Glenbard West could be a precursor to a possible playoff rematch deep in November. The Hilltoppers, despite the season-long suspension of running back-receiver Kendall Johnson, should be phenomenal on offense with Vanderbilt-bound tight end Nathan Marcus, running backs Joey Zito and Devante Toney and quarterback Henry Haeffner, who hasn’t lost a high school game he’s started.

Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet is particularly high on junior running back-receiver Scott Andrews.

“He’s one of the best skilled players we’ve ever had,” Hetlet said. “He’s lightning in a bottle.”

Defensively, the Hilltoppers replace lineman Tommy Schutt, now at Ohio State, with Ruben Dunbar, who has offers from Michigan State, Illinois and Missouri. Marcus also will spend time on the line with Nick Garland, a standout offensive lineman.

Cream of the crop

How committed to Michigan is St. Francis senior lineman Kyle Bosch?

“I’m 100 percent Michigan,” he said. “Unless coach (Brady) Hoke and the whole offensive staff and defensive staff gets fired tomorrow, there’s no changing.”

A third-year starter for the Spartans, the 6-foot-5, 309-pound left tackle is the highest-rated recruit in DuPage County. He’s the state’s fourth-ranked senior by Rivals.com analyst “Edgy” Tim O’Halloran. Bosch is in the process of writing essays to gain early admission to Michigan with hopes of a Jan. 9 arrival in Ann Arbor in time for second semester.

“Everything’s in top shape,” Bosch said. “No injuries, just the bumps and bruises from contact. Other than that I’m excited to get the season started.”

In addition to WW South’s Davis and Glenbard West’s Dunbar and Marcus, Naperville North senior Colin Goebel is among the state’s top senior recruits. Goebel ended his recruiting process with a February commitment to Iowa, a decision that prevented an explosion in college activity with the Huskies’ offensive lineman.

“He’s probably the best offensive lineman we’ve had,” said Huskies coach Sean Drendel. “He would have been the biggest recruit we’ve ever had.”

Statewide, the top seniors are headed to the top colleges. Joliet Catholic running back Ty Isaac is committed to Southern California, while Lemont offensive lineman Ethan Pocic is bound for LSU. The state’s top uncommitted senior is Crete-Monee receiver Laquon Treadwell, who boasts offers from two dozen schools.

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