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Scouting the Westmont Sentinels

Low "playoff points" on an independent schedule doomed Westmont's 2018 playoff chances despite a winning 5-4 record.

Sentinels coach Dan Woulfe expects to at least match that winning record and go from there.

"From Day 1 we've talked about improvement and for the first time I can say our expectations are to turn in a winning season at the minimum," he said. "We couldn't say that two years ago or even last year. Now our guys got a taste of winning and they love what that feels like."

Westmont also likes a return to conference play as a new member of the Metro Suburban Red.

"This conference we're going into, I'm totally optimistic going into the season," Woulfe said.

He's got reasons. Though Westmont will support only one level, a number of sophomores return who either started or saw reps last season. Players like linemen Jalan Lacy, James Mendoza and Gabe Lischalk, who Woulfe called "an ironman."

"I don't even know that I can count on one hand how many plays he was not on the field," Woulfe said of Lischalk.

Add linemen such as Ryan Midgley, Logan Hicks and Zach Gacek, who battled injury his freshman and sophomore seasons, and it's potentially Westmont's largest line in Woulfe's tenure.

That'll help the run game with newcomers Sam Abbatacola and 220-pound back Ben Juska. It also relieves some pressure on quarterback Zack Fischer, among several seniors who didn't play last season but were motivated by Westmont's winning record.

Low numbers means Westmont must avoid injury, and it must improve particularly on run defense. Senior defensive back Mason Pardy made 54 tackles last season to lead all Sentinels returners.

Woulfe remains optimistic.

"We're looking to make the playoffs this year. That's our goal," he said.

One to watch: Week 3 against St. Francis will show Westmont what progress it's made and what the Sentinels need to work on.

The breakdown

Coach: Dan Woulfe (third year, 8-10).

2018 record: 5-4 as an independent.

Top players: RB-LB Sam Abbatacola, sr.; OL-LB Zach Gacek, jr.; RB-LB Ben Juska, jr.; OL-DL Jalan Lacy, so.; OL-DL Gabe Lischalk, so.; WR-LB Isaac Lischalk, sr.; OL-DL Ryan Midgley, sr.; WR-DB Mason Pardy, sr.

- Dave Oberhelman

Schedule

Fri, Aug 30, Collins at Westmont, 7 p.m.

Fri, Sep 6, Hiawatha at Westmont, 7 p.m.

Sat, Sep 14, Westmont at St. Francis, 1:30 p.m.

Fri, Sep 20, Christ the King at Westmont, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Sep 27, Westmont at Elmwood Park, 7 p.m.

Fri, Oct 4, Westmont at Guerin Prep, 7 p.m.

Fri, Oct 11, Westmont at Ridgewood, 7 p.m.

Fri, Oct 18, St. Edward at Westmont, 7 p.m.

Fri, Oct 25, Chicago Christian at Westmont, 7 p.m.

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