Football Preview
Warriors to begin first varsity season since 1989
Daily Herald - 08.10.07
On Aug. 24 the resuscitated Wheaton Academy football program will play its first varsity game since 1989 ... in the 50th anniversary of the Warriors' last undefeated season in 1957.
No one expects perfection as the Warriors travel to Private School League opponents and home games at Wheaton College and West Chicago High.
Their hiatus ends Aug. 24 against Kirkland-Hiawatha at West Chicago. Homecoming is Oct. 6 at Wheaton College against Chicago Christian.
"Hopefully we'll build some momentum and make it a solid, winning program," said 29-year-old coach Ben Wilson. Since graduating from Maine South and Wheaton College he's assisted at Glenbard North, Vernon Hills, Wheaton College and in Bloomington, Ind.
In 2006 Wheaton Academy played a mix of junior varsity and frosh-soph games, on the road all but for the finale at Wheaton College. The Warriors went 5-5 overall, including a 3-4 mark on the JV side.
After being outscored 63-0 by Chicago Christian and Benet in their first two contests the Warriors were competitive, taking wins from Luther North, Hiawatha, Lake Forest Academy, Marmion and Mooseheart.
"The kids started getting involved, invested into it. That's really what we need this year," Wilson said.
Quarterback Brian Pell is bullish on Warriors football.
"Last year we had a lot of new players who hadn't played for most of their lives and just few veteran players," he said. "Our plan this year is to add on that and take it to the varsity level."
Last year's emphasis was to develop young talent like Pell, who as a freshman ran the option for 545 yards and 10 touchdowns and threw for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Key receivers Jake Jones and Anthony Ritchie, linebacker and leading tackler Israel Perez, center Dan Smith and versatile skill player Mike Puccinelli all return, as most do, to enter the varsity stratosphere.
"We're trying to get across to the kids that it's a very different level than the junior varsity level," Wilson said.
Football was first played at Wheaton Academy in 1946. Its return raises the athletic program another level.
"I think last year people were a little bit hesitant because since 1989 it's been all about soccer," Pell said. "But now that it's a varsity team I think slowly but surely people are going to come around and people are actually going to feel some football spirit."