Will Cassin, Wheaton Warrenville South have plenty of good takeaways from huge opening win

AURORA – Will Cassin continued the legacy of last season’s senior-led Wheaton Warrenville South defense Friday.

Cassin achieved the Tigers’ first turnover of the new football season at Metea Valley – and his first on varsity -- by recovering the fumble during a kickoff return early in the second quarter.

“I know. (My) first one. I’m excited,” said Cassin, a senior linebacker.

“Specials teams, it’s a huge part of the game. I wasn’t really as surprised for it to be on special teams. I just hustled downfield and made a big play and that’s what it’s all about.”

Three takeaways were among many highlights in the Tigers’ season-opening 52-8 road victory that shows they’re eager to build upon last season’s run to the Class 7A quarterfinals.

Returning senior running backs Prince Lankah and Jake Arthurs combined for five touchdowns. The offense not only scored seven touchdowns but on seven straight possessions after senior and Michigan State recruit Jack Olsen opened the scoring with a 31-yard field goal.

With Cassin and interceptions by junior varsity newcomers Ryan Frank and Max Wilson, the Tigers continued the incredible 2018 turnover ratio of plus-25.

“Last year’s seniors were great but this year’s juniors are going to step up big for us. Hopefully they can live up to the seniors or do even better,” Cassin said. “Honestly, we’ve got to just keep pushing, keep going. No team is the same. Week two onward.”

Playing only the first half, Lankah had two TDs and 93 rushing yards and Arthurs three TDs, two on the ground, and 70 rushing yards.

Quarterback Parker Brown ran for one TD and had a 28-yard TD screen pass to Arthurs. Ahead 45-0 by halftime, the Tigers scored last on Derek Almada’s TD run after Metea, 1-8 the past two seasons, had an 80-yard TD run on the third quarter’s first play from scrimmage.

In last year’s 26-0 season-opening victory over Metea, Olsen kicked an IHSA single-game state record eight field goals. The Tigers scored no touchdowns.

“(WWS coach Ron Muhitch) made sure that we got touchdowns this year. Don’t take three (points) when we’re at the 1-yard line,” said Pano Pitouli, a senior right guard

“All summer camp coach told us to take our steps, never let off the gas pedal, never underestimate who you’re playing and just keep going.”

The seasoned veteran line wore down the Mustangs, who had roughly 15 players going both ways. Center Bryce Sutfin and guards Pitouli and Drake Jurcak, who all return from 2018, were joined by right tackle Nick Walker left tackles Max Jablonski and Kyler Nielsen and returning All-DuKane Conference tight end Jason Haw.

“We knew we had a good, strong offensive line and two good running backs. My offense did what I thought we were going to do. That’s a good feel,” Muhitch said.

“Our defense was a lot question marks – a lot of replacement, first-year (varsity) kids. You take the 80-yard run away, we played pretty well on defense.”

The defense allowed just 80 total yards, nine passing yards and three first downs. On last year’s sophomore team, Frank and Wilson had four and two inceptions, respectively,

“Just picking up where (2018) left off,” Frank said. “We had a lot of seniors from the secondary graduate. Now it’s just for us juniors and seniors to keep it up.”

Cassin’s fumble recovery at the 9-yard line set up a fourth-and-goal TD sneak by Brown for a 24-0 lead.

“Honestly, I don’t know what really happened,” Cassin said. “I just ran into the blocker, pushing him into the (runner) and then got the ball. That was it.”