The Wheaton Academy Warriors opened their 2016 campaign with a 23-14 win over cross-town rival West Chicago on Friday night. The game was closely contested until the 4th quarter as the Warriors played tough and then held on for the 9-point victory. The win marks the first of the season for the Warriors, and they are now 1-0 heading into another non-conference showdown with Al Raby next week.
Wheaton Academy's defense played stout in the first quarter, though it was West Chicago who opened the scoring on a touchdown run by quarterback Zach Steffan late in the first half. The Warriors were able to answer before halftime, as sophomore quarterback
Ben Thorson connected with receiver
Harrison Taylor for a 36-yard touchdown pass. The Warriors failed to convert on the extra point and trailed 7-6 heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Wheaton Academy defense was solid again, and a
Miles VanderKlok 27-yard field goal made it 9-7 in favor of the Warriors heading into the 4th quarter. Wheaton Academy was able to score early in the quarter on a solid drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Taylor. West Chicago answered on a drive filled with penalties against the Warriors to make the score 16-14. Wheaton Academy put together a long drive which ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by junior running back
Kent Harmon, and the Warriors finished with the 23-14 victory.
On offense, Thorson completed 7 of 17 passes for 164 yards and 1 TD.
Harrison Taylor carried the ball 11 times for 55 yards and 1 TD. He also caught 1 pass for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Kent Harmon shouldered much of the running load for the Warriors, carrying the ball 15 times for 47 yards and 1 TD.
On defense, the Warriors were lead by linebacker
Dimitrie Skakavac, who had 5.5 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Defensive end
Michael Callentine also had a solid game, with 5 total tackles and 3 tackles for loss.
Next week the Warriors host Al Raby in Wheaton Academy's opening home game. Kickoff is at 7:15 PM.
