CN100 Game of the Week preview: Football - Wheaton North vs. Wheaton Warrenville South

WHEATON - When Wheaton North handed Wheaton Warrenville South a 23-13 defeat in the final week of the regular season last year, two 10-year streaks went down in the process.

It was the first time the Falcons had beaten South in a decade, when Coach Joe Wardynski was still an assistant for the Tigers. It also dropped WWS to 4-5 on the season, thus ending a 10-year stretch of playoff appearances.

“Our school and community were very excited,” Wardynski said.

This year, however, the Tigers are back, and the Falcons are as strong as they were in 2012. Each team enters the DuPage Valley Conference opener with a 2-0 record. The two rivals meet up Friday at 7:30 p.m. in a game that will be broadcast by CN100. The game will be shown at Noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17. It will also be available throughout Chicagoland with Xfinity On Demand.

The state champions in Class 7A in 2009 and 2010, with a runner-up finish in 2011, Wheaton South suffered a rare hiccup last year. It was only the second time since 1987 that the Tigers didn’t reach the postseason. But after impressive wins over state powers Glenbard West (17-14) and Maine South (28-13), it’s clear that the Tigers are back on track.

“Wheaton South is an outstanding team again this year,” Wardynski said. “They present a big challenge in terms of preparation. They have a fast and physical defense. Their offense is led by a quarterback (Ryan Graham) with a lot of experience and athleticism. They can run the ball and throw equally well. Their coaching staff does a great job and always has their team prepared to play.”

Graham is off to a fast start, with help from receiver Keishawn Watson and tight end Connor Ostrander in the passing game. Isaiah Campos has been carrying the load in the backfield offensively for the Tigers.

Wheaton North has had an opportunistic defense thus far in the young season. They have forced eight turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns. Cornerback Mike Cerone has an interception return for a score and is the team’s leading tackler. Tyler Gabriele returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown.

Graham’s workout partner in the offseason is Wheaton North’s Northwestern-bound senior quarterback Clayton Thorson, who is also Wheaton North’s punter. After splitting time between quarterback and receiver last year, Thorson is establishing himself as a top signal-caller. He’s already 34-for-53 for 544 yards and seven touchdowns in wins over Cary-Grove and Geneva.

Receiver Matt Biegalski is one of the state’s best and gives Thorson a formidable weapon on the outside. He has 13 catches for 303 yards already. Biegalski and JP Forcucci each have three touchdown catches this season. Tailback Dee Alexander has 125 yards on the ground with Dominic Garza adding a pair of rushing scores.

“Wheaton North has a great passing combo in Thorson and Biegalski,” WWS coach Ron Muhitch said. “Our defensive backs are good. It’s a nice match-up with their receiver strength. The pass rush will be a deciding factor.”

- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

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