Aug. 23--During his team's offseason conditioning session, sometime in the dead of winter, Wheaton Warrenville South coach Ron Muhitch delivered a stinging, yet honest assessment of his upcoming senior class.
After winning 10-plus games seven times in an eight-year span (2004-2011), including three state titles, the Tigers have posted records of 4-5, 8-3 and 7-5 in the last three seasons. They salvaged last season by winning six straight games following a 1-4 start.
For a program accustomed to dominating on an annual basis, the last three years were a startling change.
Muhitch decided to send his seniors a clear message to motivate them in the offseason.
"During wintertime in our lifting session, coach told us that we need to step up," senior running back J.J. Johnson said. "It was hard to hear that because I look at myself as one of the leaders on the team. I took it to heart."
Senior strong safety Tim Dalton called the eye-opening talk a key moment in the offseason, especially considering the Tigers open the season against neighborhood rival, Wheaton North, which has beaten Wheaton South in two of their last three meetings.
"Coach was talking about that the seniors need to step up and take control of this team and that we need to guide all the younger guys to step up, too," Dalton said. "It motivated us. We're getting ready for Week 1 versus Wheaton North."
The always-candid Muhitch said he wanted to stress to the upcoming senior class the importance of avoiding another slow start.
"The senior class has been very average over their first three years of their high school careers, meaning their record would indicate they have a lot of room for improvement," Muhitch said. "We're going to be tested right away. We'll find out right away in our first game against Wheaton North how far they've improved since their last time on the field.
"We are a program that relies on turnover to senior leadership. It's hard to get on the field as a junior. When it comes time for those kids to be seniors, they do an exceptional job. The growth between junior and seniors in my program is monumental. The seniors have responded very well and worked hard and done a lot of good team camaraderie things."
Whether the Tigers' senior class can fulfill the expectations of their coach or struggle to make the playoffs again depends on the growth of the offense. The defense is filled with experienced players, but the offense is mostly unknown.
The biggest area of concern, Muhitch said, is the offensive line. It's is an entirely new group, with no returning starters from last season.
Senior quarterback Mike Stebbins led the Tigers to wins over Naperville North and Glenbard North last season when Josh Prueter was injured. Muhitch is counting on senior running backs Johnson and Owen England, and tight end Jaylin Carter, to stabilize the offense early in the season.
"We'll have fairly good size on the line, but have first-year players," Muhitch said. "There's going to be growing pains for us offensively. We're trying to get the run game established, and I think that will be the strength offensively with J.J. Johnson and Owen England."
The Tigers look loaded on defense, with an experienced defensive line and senior-dominated secondary. Defensive ends Solomon Jackson and Jack Bucholz combined for 13 sacks last season, while linebacker Will Bach and strong safety Tim Dalton bring experience to the back seven.
"I think we will be a very strong defense," Dalton said. "We're pretty assignment sound and pay attention to detail. I think we will start out way strong this year. After last season, we have a different mentality how to approach game."
Narang is a freelance reporter.
No. 10 Wheaton Warrenville South
2014: 7-5 (4-1, t-1st in DuPage Valley), lost to Providence 23-6 in Class 7A quarterfinal.
Coach: Ron Muhitch (125-34 in 14th year at Wheaton Warrenville South).
Playoff history: 25 appearances, 7 state titles ('92, '95, '96, '98, '06, '09. '10).
He's back: J.J. Johnson, Sr., 5-11, 195, RB: Mike Stebbins, Sr., 6-0, 175, QB; Owen England, Sr., 5-11, 190, RB; Solomon Jackson, Sr., 6-4, 225, DE; Jaylin Carter, Sr., 6-4, 240, TE; Jack Bucholz, Sr., 6-1, 225, DE; Will Bach, Sr., 6-3, 225, LB; Tim Dalton, Sr., 6-1, 175, SS.
He's new: Zach Hrycyk, Jr., 6-4, 310, OL; Dominick Bellocchio, Jr., 5-11, 265, C.
Big name: Carter is a big-play tight end with good hands and size.
Big game: Wheaton North, Aug. 28. The Tigers' schedule is loaded with talented teams, but after losing twice in the last three meetings to their local rivals, Wheaton Warrenville South has something to prove.
Big question: How quickly can the offensive line mesh after losing all of their starters from last season?
Breakdown: The Tigers' defense is a strength, but the offense will be tested against a rugged schedule. Four players are competing for the kicking job, a position that might be crucial in close games if the Tigers want to win the conference.
Fast fact: Wheaton Warrenville South has won at least one playoff game in 22 of the last 27 seasons dating back to the 1988 season.
