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Experience fills offensive line for Wheaton Academy Warriors

Two hundred and fifty-six football teams made the playoffs last season.

Wheaton Academy was team No. 257; a tiebreaker kept the five-win Warriors out of the postseason.

"To end the season on that kind of bitter note is hard," coach Brad Thornton said. "That's a big-time motivator for us. They don't want to have that feeling again."

It's a mixed bag for Wheaton Academy heading into the season. While the Warriors return five starters to the offense, the defense is inexperienced in the bulk of its front eight.

The offense and returning quarterback David Thrasher may have to carry the weight early as the defense gains experience. Last season Thrasher threw for 1,535 yards and 17 touchdowns, and he'll thrive behind a line that brings back David McDonnell, Nori Kasai and Noah Owens.

Other than running back Chase Martin, though, the rest of the skill players are inexperienced.

Which brings us to that inexperienced defense. The Warriors graduated their entire defensive line, and that may cause some of the offensive linemen to play both ways. Martin also will see time at linebacker.

The secondary should be solid with the return of Steven Sellers and Kordell Bowling and the addition of Harrison Taylor. In a Metro Suburban West field loaded with powerful offenses, they'll be critical.

Last year's team posted three shutouts to start the season but then allowed at least 36 points three times while losing four of its final five games. For the Warriors to stay clear of tiebreaker scenarios and make it into the playoffs, that can't happen again.

"We still have some positions we need to figure out, but we're getting there," Thornton said. "Getting those reps early in the year is going to be important for us."

The breakdown

Coach: Brad Thornton (third year, 9-9).

2014 record: 5-4, 1-4, fifth in Metro Suburban West.

Top players: David Thrasher (QB, 5-11, 180, sr.); Chase Martin (RB-LB, 5-10, 200, sr.); David McDonnell (OL, 6-4, 230, sr.); Nori Kasai (OL, 6-0, 200, jr.); Noah Owens (OL, 5-10, 200, sr.); Steven Sellers (DB, 5-10, 160, sr.); Kordell Bowling (DB, 6-0, 175, sr.); Luke Manske (WR-DB, 5-11, 160, sr.); Harrison Taylor (WR-DB, 6-2, 170, jr.); Adam Zanke (TE, 6-3, 180, sr.); Tyler Jackson (RB, 5-9, 150, jr.).

- Kevin Schmit

Schedule

Wheaton Academy

Sat, 8/29 Wheaton Academy at Walther Christian, 1 pm

Fri, 9/4 Wheaton Academy at Bradley Tech, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/11 Guerin Prep at Wheaton Academy, 7:15 pm

Fri, 9/18 Wheaton Academy at Chicago Christian, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/25 Wheaton Acad. at Riverside-Brookfield, 7:15 pm

Sat, 10/3 Glenbard South at Wheaton Academy, 1 pm

Fri, 10/9 IC Catholic Prep at Wheaton Academy, 7:15 pm

Fri, 10/16 Wheaton Academy at Fenton, 7:15 pm

Fri, 10/23 Wheaton Acad. at Aurora Central Cath, 7:15 pm

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