Wheaton North Falcons, top quarterback face rough season

Sometimes you need a reminder that Luke Anthony was only a sophomore last season.

Wheaton North's talented quarterback looked like a veteran in his varsity debut, throwing for 1,974 yards and 16 touchdowns in an effort that rolled into the summer with the Falcons' championship at the Red Grange 7-on-7 tournament.

For the Falcons to return to the playoffs after a year away, Anthony's roll needs to continue through a brutal schedule of football games. Not only do they have to survive the DuPage Valley Conference, they also face Joliet Catholic.

"I know we've got to find five wins, and looking at the schedule it's hard to find," coach Joe Wardynski said. "We're going to have to play awfully well."

Anthony has a talented group of receivers to work with, starting with Adam Terrini, who had 18 catches for 235 yards. Steele Graham also returns experience, while Marcus Gustaveson is coming off a tremendous summer.

The rest of the offense, though, features newcomers. Only one lineman returns in Owen Seleski, and running backs Cullen Heimburger and Josh Topps were mainly junior varsity players last season.

The defense returns five starters, including linebacker Erik Mueller and Danny Walker, both juniors, and linebacker Matt Giles, who was the defensive MVP at the Red Grange tourney. Defensive back Nico Gubenko and lineman Dan Webber also return.

That experience will come in handy against a parade of physical offenses. With last season's struggles firmly in mind, there's an extra emphasis on stopping the run.

"If we're going to be a good team we'll have to run the ball pretty well and stop the run," Wardynski said. "We'll see if we can do it."

The breakdown

Coach: Joe Wardynski (eighth year, 51-26).

2013 record: 4-5, 3-2, third in DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Luke Anthony (QB, 6-2, 200, jr.); Erik Mueller (LB, 6-2, 215, jr.); Danny Walker (DB, 6-3, 185, jr.); Adam Terrini (WR, 6-2, 180, sr.); Marcus Gustaveson (WR, 6-5, 190, sr.); Steele Graham (WR, 5-10, 170, sr.); Owen Seleski (OL, 6-2, 250, sr.); Dan Webber (DL, 6-2, 190, sr.); Matt Giles (LB, 6-1, 190, sr.); Nico Gubenko (DB, 5-10, 175, sr.); Cullen Heimburger (RB, 5-8, 170, sr.); Josh Topps (RB, 5-11, 175, sr.).

- Kevin Schmit

Schedule

Wheaton North

Fri, 8/28 Wheaton North at WW South, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/4 Wheaton North at Joliet Catholic, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/11 Wheaton North at Naperville North, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/18 Metea Valley at Wheaton North, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/25 Wheaton North at Lake Park, 7:30 pm

Fri, 10/2 Glenbard North at Wheaton North, 7:30 pm

Fri, 10/9 Neuqua Valley at Wheaton North, 7:30 pm

Fri, 10/16 Wheaton North at Naperville Central, 7:30 pm

Fri, 10/23 Waubonsie Valley at Wheaton North, 7:30 pm