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West Chicago hits heights not seen since 2002

The West Chicago football team broke into the win column in a big way last week.

The Wildcats were 46-24 Upstate Eight Conference winners on the road at Streamwood. The 46 points almost doubled the team's scoring output from the first 5 games combined (52).

In fact, first-year West Chicago coach Adam Chavez noted it's the most points the varsity team has scored in a game in more than a decade.

Actually, it's a little more than a decade. The last time West Chicago scored more than 46 points was in the 2002 season when it beat Batavia 48-14 in Week 2.

That's also the last time the program had a winning record and qualified for the playoffs (5-5 final record). Including last week's win and the Batavia 2002 game, the Wildcats have scored more than 40 point sonly four times since 2002.

Quarterback Adrian Munoz continues to have the hot hand for West Chicago. He went 4-for-8 passing for 206 yards and threw 4 touchdowns in the Streamwood win. Munoz has 6 touchdown passes in his last 3 games and Tommy Doyle has scored 5 touchdowns in the last 3 games for West Chicago.

Naperville Central update:

Naperville Central coach Mike Ulreich was thoroughly impressed with his team after its Week 6 win over town rival Naperville North (10-7).

"I continue to be impressed by the toughness of our football team," he said. "To beat a great team and rival school while turning the ball over three times says a lot about the resiliency of our young men."

Logan Ellison, of course, hit the game-winning field goal for the Redhawks, but Ulreich also has been impressed with the special teams play of Dan Nussbaum.

"Dan has been a key part of our special teams unit as a long snapper," he said. "When you need to kick a game-winner, getting a great snap and hold matter a lot. Logan also impacts the football game in so many ways with his leg."

Central can become playoff eligible at 5-2 with a win on the road in Week 7 against fellow 4-2 DeKalb.

Glenbard East update:

Here come the Rams and coach John Walters said a big part of the team's success has been defense.

East is 5-1 and can earn a guaranteed playoff spot at home against Fenton Friday.

"It's the amount of yards given up by our defense," Rams coach John Walters said. "Seeing it and watching it is one thing. Then seeing the state line on Sunday night, it's kind of crazy how dominant they have been."

East has allowed point outputs of 0, 6, 0, 8 and 0 in its 5 wins, while allowing 22 in the lone loss to unbeaten Upstate Eight leader South Elgin.

"Our entire defense seems to be relentless in pursuit of being dominant on Friday night," Walters said.

Walters gave high praise to linebacker Gus Winkler in the win last week against Elgin.

"Gus Winkler had has best varsity game," Walters said.

Wheaton Academy update:

It wasn't all doom and gloom for the Warriors coming out their Week 6 loss to state power IC Catholic Prep.

"I thought we played well against IC, despite the outcome," Wheaton Academy coach Jim Johanik said. "The differences were the three big plays we gave up on defense and two rare interceptions we threw on offense. These big plays and INTs were more of a result of IC playing really well than us making mistakes. Sure, we can always get better, but I'm pretty proud of the level of football our guys are playing."

Johanik, whose team can secure an automatic playoff berth with a win in Elgin Friday against St. Edward, told the story of Warriors' placekicker Declan Flanagan, who left a soccer tournament at 3 p.m. in Iowa last Friday after registering a shutout against a powerhouse team from that state, drove three-and-a-half hours to Elmhurst to kick for the football game.

Flanagan drilled field goals of 38 and 29 in the game against ICCP.

"And then drove back to Iowa the next day to rejoin his soccer team," Johanik pointed out. "He also made 2 tackles on kickoff, which isn't a great thing for the kickoff team, but highlights the type of toughness he exhibits."

Johanik added Wheaton Academy, despite ICCP wide receiver KJ Parker's outstanding game, held the Metro Suburban Blue leaders to 186 yards passing. "It was their run game that killed us," Johanik said.

St. Francis update:

The Spartans have an automatic playoff bid in the bank already and now will gear up for a competitive finish to the regular season with games against Bishop McNamara (3-3, Metro Suburban crossover), Riverside-Brookfield (5-1, which will likely decide the MSC Red title) and IC Catholic Prep (5-1, another MSC crossover).

Spartans coach Bob McMillen continues to get key production from many sources, including Ian Willis on special teams.

"This kid is so explosive every time he touches the ball," McMillen said of Willis. "He can make people miss and take it to the house."

McMillen noted linebacker Rusty Johnson became a starter three weeks ago and hasn't looked back. He has 26 tackles, 12 assists, 7 tackles for loss and a pick during that span.

Offensive lineman Jack Anderson has been part of an improved Spartans running attack. "Since taking over the right tackle position, our running game has gotten better," McMillen said. "Plus, the last two weeks Jack has led our team in pancake blocks."

Anderson has 8 pancakes in his last 2 games.

Playoff possibilities:

Neuqua Valley (5-1) can earn a guaranteed playoff spot with a win Friday against Metea Valley (1-5 … Riverside-Brookfield (5-1) can earn a guaranteed playoff spot if it can beat IC Catholic Prep (5-1) at home Friday… Glenbard South (5-1) also can punch a guaranteed playoff ticket with a win at West Chicago in Upstate Eight action … Glenbard North (2-4) must win out to become playoff eligible.

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