Team at a glance
Nickname Tigers
Colors Orange, black
Stadium Red Grange Field, 1920 Wiesbrook Road, Wheaton
Enrollment 2,423
Class 7A
Coach Ron Muhitch (7th season, 61-14)
2007 record 13-1
Conference 7-0, 1st

Top returners   
Pat Dansdill              Sr.    LB
Mike Riss                  Sr.    NG
James Eshleman    Sr.    LB
Mike Olp                    Sr.    FB
Peter Jarrett              Sr.    RB
Todd Lorenzini        Sr.    OL
Garrett Cook             Sr.
David Blais               Sr.

2008 schedule
Aug. 29    at Hinsdale Central,    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 5    at Joliet Catholic,    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12    West Chicago,    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 19    Glenbard North,    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26    at Naperville Central,    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3    at West Aurora,    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10    Wheaton North,    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 17    Glenbard East,    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24    at Naperville North,    7:30 p.m.

Games to watch
Aug. 29 at Hinsdale Central Watermark game for untested Tigers
Sept. 5 at Joliet Catholic All eyes will be on this one
Sept. 19 vs. Glenbard North Panthers are team to beat in DVC

Five-year record
         overall    conference    playoffs
07    13-1          7-0                   Runnerup
‘06    13-0         7-0                   8A champs
‘05    12-1         7-0                   Semi
‘04    10-3         5-2                   Semi
‘03    8-4           5-2                   Quarter

OUTLOOK
Champion’s pedigree
What more can you say about Wheaton Warrenville South, one of the state’s all-time top football programs?
After losing in the state finals last year and with only six starters returning, most coaches would call this a rebuilding season.
 And while Muhitch labels it as such, he doesn’t rule out rebuilding during the season and making another run at the state title.
“It’s scary when you can count your starters almost on one hand,” he said. “But our juniors haven’t lost a game since they started school, so we may just be all right.”

Mixing it up
The Tigers hardly start the season with a couple of nonconference powder puffs. Hinsdale Central and Joliet Catholic are as good as it gets, and they will test this team right out of the blocks.
“No one wants to play us in nonconference games,” Muhitch said. “We have a tough time getting opponents, so we decided to go this route. And because of our tough openers, we should have an advantage over our conference opponents starting in Week Three.”

Coaching staff
Over the years a lot of assistant coaches have used the Tiger staff as a springboard, and this year is no exception. Coach Muhitch has had to replace a good portion of last year’s staff, and he did so by inviting some old Tigers to come home.
Familiar names such as Devin Finn, Jon Schweighardt and Matt Alley have joined Muhitch’s staff, making it seem like old home week in Tigerville.
“I’m really happy to get these guys,” Muhitch said. “They know the program, know what to expect, and the kids definitely look up to them.”

Title up for grabs
Even if the Tigers were to come out on top in weeks one and two, Muhitch is truly convinced that six teams could win the DVC this year.
“This is as strong as I’ve ever seen the conference as a whole,” he said. “Think about it. Almost every team except ours has a stud or two. We’re going to have to rely on a real team effort. We don’t have any stars out there who can carry us, but what we do have is a lot of talent and if they catch on fast, we’ll be in every game.”
Muhitch perhaps understates things a bit. With a workhorse like Olp and all-area linebacker Dansdill providing leadership on both sides of the ball, the Tigers should not disappoint.

SENIOR SAYS
Mike Olp
How do you feel about losing so many seniors?
“We have so much talent behind those guys that I’m not worried.”

Would you like to start with an easier schedule?
“No way. It gives us a big advantage to face tough teams early, but it means we have to be ready.”

Do you think about falling short (in the title game) last year?
“Sure, you think about it. But look at what this school has accomplished. It’s amazing.”

BY THE NUMBERS
6 Number of teams Coach Muhitch says could win the DVC

18 Winning streak of present junior class

0 Number of conference games Tigers have lost in the last three years