High school football: Wheaton Warrenville South struggles on offense, Wheaton North gets first win

CAROL STREAM – Despite another tough game for Wheaton Warrenville South’s football team, just being on the field was a victory for senior placekicker Andrew Patinos.

Patinos played in his first game since he was struck in the head by an errant discus during his freshman track season.

“It felt great. There was a ton of support from the whole team, parents, everybody,” Patinos said. “They’re all really happy to see me out here and I’m really happy to be out here.”

Patinos kicked impressive field goals of 31 and 40 yards, but they were the Tigers’ only points in a 28-6 loss at Glenbard North on Sept. 11.

The Tigers (1-2, 1-2 in DuPage Valley Conference) have scored 29 points this season. They committed six turnovers, including five interceptions, against a fierce Glenbard North team seeking its first victory.

“We’ve just got to find a way to score points and until we do it’s going to be like this. It’s going to be tough on the defense,” South coach Ron Muhitch said.

The Tigers’ offense suffered another key injury. Senior and standout rusher J.J. Johnson played quarterback along with Jack Maher, who replaced Mike Stebbins [broken collar bone] during the Lake Park game Sept. 4.

Rolling out of the pocket, Johnson was hit by two Panthers and lost a fumble. He missed the second half with a high ankle sprain.

“We are falling like leaves in the fall on an oak tree,” Muhitch said. “I’ve got to figure out a way to do something to keep them healthy – and still move the ball.”

Patinos can sympathize. He was medically cleared by a neurologist in the spring but didn’t participate in enough practices to play until Friday.

In 2013, Patinos stood 30 feet to the side of the discus ring. Another track competitor wasn’t supposed to be throwing.

“I took it in the back of the head,” Patinos said. “They said it was a scalpel bruise. [But] I went to therapy for concussion-like symptoms. They were just concerned with vestibular issues, fluid in the ears and balance and dizziness.”

On their first series, the Panthers drove 77 yards for a touchdown, getting 54 yards from senior tailback Devion Hodges.

Hodges returned an interception 36 yards for a TD and a 21-3 lead in the third quarter and scored on a 48-yard run in the final minute.

On the Tigers’ first possession, Patinos missed a field-goal attempt from 38 yards. His 31-yarder in the second quarter came after Johnson’s 12-yard TD run was nullified by a holding penalty.

Wheaton North grabs first win

After opening the 2015 season with losses against Wheaton Warrenville South and Joliet Catholic, the Falcons came up with a much-needed victory on Sept. 11, knocking off Naperville North 20-7.

Wheaton North led 14-7 at halftime, thanks to a 20-yard touchdown pass from Luke Anthony to Marcus Gustaveson and a 3-yard TD run by Steele Graham.

Anthony’s two-yard scamper to the end zone was the only scoring of the second half.

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Week 4 matchup

Who: Metea Valley at Wheaton North

When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18

Where: 1 Falcon Way, Wheaton

Records: Metea Valley 1-2; Wheaton North 1-2

Outlook: With Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central and Waubonsie Valley still left on the schedule, the next couple of weeks are of utmost importance for Wheaton North. After beating Naperville North, the Falcons can climb back to the .500 mark against Metea, whose lone win was a one-point decision over Naperville North.

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Week 4 matchup

Who: Neuqua Valley at Wheaton Warrenville South

When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18

Where: 1993 Tiger Trail, Wheaton

Records: Neuqua Valley 2-1; WWS 1-2

Outlook: With injuries being a big factor, offense has been the major crutch for South. The Tigers have scored just 29 points and are coming off back-to-back losses against Lake Park and Glenbard North. Neuqua Valley has wins over Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley.