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WHEATON – In 2009, Wheaton Warrenville South senior Jack Farley was a ball boy as older brother Dylan and the Tigers captured the Class 7A state championship. This season, Farley returns as a starting middle linebacker for the Tigers after recording 24 total tackles and two sacks in 2015. Farley recently spoke with Suburban Life correspondent Bill Stone about what the team learned during a rocky 2015 season, what he expects his role to be like and how he improved in the offseason.
Stone: What did the team learn from last season?
Farley: A lot of our good players got injured. We learned we’ve got to stick together. We’ve got to keep our heads up.
Stone: What has been encouraging about this team?
Farley: We had a really successful summer. We won our 7-on-7 and we went for the nationals and did pretty well there. That was just a really good learning experience because we had to play against the best in the country. Being in the [DuPage Valley Conference] you see that every week.
Stone: What is your role on the team?
Farley: Last year I think I was playing a little junior-esque. I’m trying to take on more of a leadership role, being a senior, being the mike [middle] linebacker. On the field, it’s just being vocal, helping others. Off the field, it’s making smart decisions and leading in the classroom and weight room.
Stone: How have you improved from last season?
Farley: I don’t think I had the instincts that I have this year. I was playing pretty light [at 160 pounds].
Stone: Do you like the Tigers using 4-3 and 3-4 defenses?
Farley: It’s more to learn, but learning both gives you a lot of variety. It gives the offense more to think about.
Stone: What are the season goals?
Farley: We’re going to take it game by game, but the first goal would be to win the DVC and then make a deep run in the playoffs and hopefully win the state championship.
Stone: Any keys to success?
Farley: Special teams is something coach Muhitch preaches a lot. I think we have a lot of speed guys that can make plays.
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WHAT TO WATCH
SUMMER SUCCESS: Factors for Wheaton Warrenville South's atypical 2-7 record in 2015 included injuries at quarterback and running back and a realigned DuPage Valley Conference that leaves the Tigers as the smallest school. This summer, they won their Red Grange 7-on-7 tournament to qualify for nationals July 14-16 in Hoover, Ala., where they reached the final eight. "We did very well against some of the best competition we'll ever see," coach Ron Muhitch said. "It's just a matter of how fast we can switch to the actual contact part of the game – and stay healthy."
OLD AND NEW: Senior newcomers and talented juniors will supplement returning senior starters Matt Dohse (356 passing yards) and Will Maher at quarterback, Dom Bellochio, Danny Bucholz, Jack Farley, Jack Fieweger and Drew Polezoes. Speedy senior Cam Moore sat out 2015 after transferring. Senior Spiro Pavlou comes from baseball. "Our kids are kind of built like our old state championship teams – smaller, quicker, faster," Muhitch said. "I think our receiving corps is very good. I like what I see. We're not big height wise but we're feisty."
IN-HOUSE CHANGES: This season's slogan of Rebuilding Our House includes seven new varsity assistant coaches over two seasons. This is the first season Muhitch will serve strictly as head coach. "As much as I'm disseminating responsibility, it's still a passion (to coach)," Muhitch said. "I'm very happy with my young staff." Muhitch had been offensive coordinator and previously was defensive coordinator before becoming head coach in 2002.
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AT A GLANCE
Coach: Ron Muhitch
2015 record: 2-7 (1-7 DVC)
Conference: DuPage Valley
TOP RETURNERS
Dom Bellochio sr. C
Danny Bucholz sr. OL
Matt Dohse sr. QB/LS
Jack Farley sr. LB
Jack Fieweger sr. LB
Jack Maher sr. QB
Drew Polezoes sr. DB
PROMISING NEWCOMERS
Hayden Fischer jr. DL
Zach Harris jr. QB
Brian Haw jr. LB
Jake Healy jr. DB
Cam Moore sr. WR
Jacob Odom jr. WR
Spiro Pavlou sr. DB
Parker Robinson jr. DB
Danny Schricker jr. DB
Trent Schweitzer jr. K/P
Chase Stebbins jr. WR
Ryan Young jr. RB
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WEEK 1 MATCHUP
Who: WWS at Wheaton North
When: 7:30 p.m Aug. 26
Where: 1 Falcon Way, Wheaton
2015 records: WWS 2-7, North 4-5
Outlook: For the second year in a row, the Tigers will open the season against their longtime rival. South will be hoping for a repeat season-opening win as it eyes a return to the postseason.