Wheaton Warrenville South (1-4, 1-4 DuPage Valley) @ Waubonsie Valley (3-2, 3-2 DuPage Valley), 7:30PM
Last week: Wheaton Warrenville South lost to Naperville Central, 20-8; Waubonsie Valley lost at Metea Valley, 19-7 (NCC)
Storyline: After losing to Metea Valley for the first time last week, Waubonsie Valley returns to Dick Kerner Stadium Friday with knowledge it has alternated wins and losses the last four weeks.
Awaiting the Warriors will be Wheaton Warrenville South as the two programs meet for the first time as DuPage Valley Conference foes and for the first time overall since 2007.
Against the Mustangs, senior running back and linebacker Max Ihry rushed for 107 yards for the second straight week.
His second-quarter touchdown run tied the game at 7-7 but was immediately followed up by Amiri Finner’s 92-yard kickoff return for a TD as Metea Valley took the lead for good.
Quarterback Jack Connolly was 11-of-23 passing for 103 yards for the Warriors while running for 49 yards as the offense racked up 295 total yards.
The Tigers, dealing with several injuries, are off to a 1-4 start – both overall and in the DVC – and have lost four straight games after last week’s 20-8 loss at Naperville Central.
Junior quarterback Matthew Dohse started in place of Michael Stebbins and Jack Maher, going went 10-of-16 passing for 81 yards and two interceptions while running for 53 yards on a TD.
Wheaton Warrenville South’s only scoring drive against the Redhawks came on a 14-play, 76-yard drive in the second quarter that Dohse finished with a two-yard touchdown run.
The Tigers have made the postseason in 11 of the last 12 years and must win their last four games to reach playoff eligibility for a second straight year.
But they dug out of a 1-4 start last year to finish 5-4 and in the Class 7A playoffs – all because of a 27-20 victory in Week 9 at Naperville Central.
Waubonsie Valley’s last victory over Wheaton Warrenville South came courtesy of a 17-13 victory on Aug. 31, 2001.
Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy on Wheaton Warrenville South: “They were 1-4 last year and went on a run. That scares the hell out of me. I’m glad we’re playing them at home and we’re playing on grass, which I think gives us an advantage because all their kids practice on the turf. They’re well-coached. Coach (Ron) Muhitch does a great job and I know we’re going to get their best effort of the year because they don’t want to get knocked out of the playoff picture.
“A fifth loss is pretty much going to knock them out of the playoffs, so they’re coming with their backs against the wall like a trapped animal. They’re going to come out playing their best game of the year – I guarantee you that. So we got to match their effort.
“Back in ’07, I don’t think we had quite as much talent as we’ve had the last few years, so we were really underdogs those first three times we played them. We didn’t have much of a chance. They had a lot more talent and I’m not saying we have a lot more talent than them now. I think – hopefully – we’re closer talent-wise, especially with their injuries. We think we’ve got a chance and the great thing about the DVC is you got to be ready to play each and every week.”
