Scouting the Willowbrook Warriors
Win the West Suburban Gold and the rest will take care of itself.
That's the attitude of Willowbrook's football team, which finished second in the Gold in three of the last four seasons. While that was good enough for the Warriors to qualify for the playoffs in 2012 and 2013, they missed out on the postseason last year despite having a 5-4 record.
This season Willowbrook wants to take no chances.
"We haven't taken that step forward as a program and we've been talking to this group about being the one to break through," coach Nick Hildreth said. "We always gauge ourselves on our conference first. It'd mean a lot for us to win the title."
Expect to see a handful of two-way players leading the charge. Receiver-defensive back Jon Kelso, running back-linebacker Jack Jessen and offensive lineman-linebacker Brandon Loth all contributed on both sides of the ball last year.
The list will extend further this year, including Lucas Olson and Kevon Dobbins as part of a lineman rotation. Even quarterback M.J. Ranieri, who started a couple varsity games behind center as a sophomore, played defensive back last year.
All four classes are represented on the roster. Keyed by seniors, it also features a junior class that went 8-1 last year despite having Jessen - who last season rushed for 1,067 yards - Loth and Dobbins up on varsity.
The defense was hit by the graduation loss of three all-Gold selections, but experience at all three levels returns.
"There are still a lot of holes to fill on defense," Hildreth said. "But we'll figure it out."
On both sides of the ball, it's that mix of experience and incoming talent the Warriors hope to blend together to make history.
The goal is the program's first Gold title and first conference title since 1982.
"We're capable of playing with anybody if we do our job," Hildreth said. "If we don't do our job, it's going to be tough for us."
One to watch: Week 4
It's a chance to knock off Gold favorite Hinsdale South for a second straight year.
The breakdown
Coach: Nick Hildreth (sixth year, 20-27).
2015 record: 5-4, 4-2, second in West Suburban Gold.
Top players: Jon Kelso (WR-DB, 5-10, 178, sr.), Jack Jessen (RB-LB, 5-11, 189, jr.), Brandon Loth (OL-LB, 6-0, 203, jr.), Lucas Olson (OL-DL, 6-2, 260, sr.), Freddie Clay (WR-DB, 5-11, 169, sr.), Kevon Dobbins (OL-DL, 6-0, 183, jr.), M.J. Ranieri (QB-DB, 6-0, 189, sr.), Luke Halloran (OL-DL, 6-3, 260, sr.), Zak Walenga (OL-DL, 6-3, 256, sr.), Dylan Worden (OL-LB, 5-9, 210, sr.), Will Schuller (TE-DL, 6-0, 187, sr.), Mike Dembowski (K-WR, 6-1, 180, sr.), Khalif Copeland (WR-DB, 5-10, 186, sr.).
- Kevin Schmit
Schedule
Willowbrook
Fri, 8/26, Willowbrook at Grayslake North, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 9/2, Proviso West at Willowbrook, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/9, Willowbrook at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/16, Hinsdale South at Willowbrook, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/23, Willowbrook at York, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/30, Morton at Willowbrook, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/7, Willowbrook at Proviso East, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/14, Willowbrook at Downers Grove South, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/21, Leyden at Willowbrook, 7:30 p.m.