Team at a glance
Nickname Falcons
Stadium Rexilius Field, 701 Thomas Road, Wheaton
Enrollment 2,216
Class 7A
Coach Joe Wardynski (1st year)
2007 record 5-5
Conference 3-4, 5th

Top returners
Jack DeAno                   sr.    DB
Taylor Graham               jr.    QB
Jack Quinn                     sr.    LB
John Sambo                  sr.    LB
Dom Schmit                   sr.    DB
Andrew Sorgatz            sr.    OL/DL
Mike Trumpy                  sr.    RB

Promising newcomers
Joe Allen                         sr.    OL
Chris Bradley                 sr.    WR
Jack Gibbs                       jr.    OL
Ralph Johnson               jr.    WR
Mitch Moore                    sr.    WR
Mitch Rozwat                  sr.    WR
Brian Salat                      sr.    OL
Kevin Volkema               sr.    OL


2008 Schedule
Aug. 29       at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 5         Lake Zurich, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12      at Glenbard North, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 19      Naperville Central, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26      West Aurora, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3           at Glenbard East, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10        at Wheaton Warrenville South, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 17        Naperville North, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24        West Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

Games to watch
Sept. 5 vs. Lake Zurich Falcons will see how far they’ve come in first home game against last year’s 7A state champ
Sept. 12 at Glenbard North Panthers still loaded with talent after run to 2007 8A title game.
Oct. 10 at Wheaton Warrenville Crosstown showdown as Wardynski returns to South for first time
Oct. 24 vs. West Chicago A win in final game could send Falcons to playoffs.

5-year trend
    overall    conf.    playoffs
‘07    5-5       3-4       1st Rd.
‘06    4-5       3-4
‘05    4-5       2-5
‘04    2-7       2-5
‘03    5-5       3-4       1st Rd.

SENIOR SAYS
Jack DeAno
What’s the biggest difference between last year’s team and this one?

“Our chemistry is a lot better. We’re really clicking as a team offensively and defensively.”

How are your teammates at defensive back looking?

“We’re all really tight and bonding well. We’re communicating well and doing pretty good out here. I trust them to be where they need to be and they trust me to do the same thing.”

By the end of the season Wheaton North football will...

“Be satisfied. I think we’re going to win some games, but even if we don’t we know we’re going to play well and do our best.”

BY THE NUMBERS
1,664 Rushing yards Mike Trumpy accumulated last season. He had a four 200-yard games with a high of 234 yards against Glenbard North and scored 19 touchdowns.

6 Number of interceptions Jack DeAno had as a junior last season. He also had two kick returns for touchdowns and 50 tackles (28 solo)

1 Number of returning starters on the offensive line — Andrew Sorgatz. He will line up alongside Joe Allen, Jack Gibbs, Brian Salat and Kevin Volkema

No average Joe
New head coach Joe Wardynski takes over for Matt Foster (now at North Central College), and he should command immediate respect.

Wardynski spent nine years as an assistant at Wheaton Warrenville South, the last four as the Tigers defensive coordinator, and was part of South’s run to back-to-back state title games. His defense yielded just over 10 points per game with four shutouts in 2007. In 2006, Tiger opponents managed less than eight points per game. Wardynski will still handle the defense while fulfilling his dream of being a head coach.

“Coach (John) Thorne (former WWS coach) and coach (Ron) Muhitch (current WWS coach) taught me a lot,” Wardynski said, “But this opportunity presented itself, and I always wanted to be a head coach.”

Pistol whipped
Wardynski’s pistol formation replaces the Falcons’ more traditional offense. Modeled after the University of Nevada’s spread attack, it utilizes misdirection, option reads and short passes to eat up yardage. While the attack should take advantage of North’s smallish O-line (always a little smaller without a player like Nick Adamle) and Graham’s quick release, it was yet another change for the players to get used to.

“Both the offensive and defensive schemes are brand new,” Wardynski said. “For the kids it’s another thing that’s different. We spent a lot of time this summer just working on schemes.”

“I like it,” Trumpy said. “There’s a lot of misdirection that’s really confusing (to defenses).”

Where to start
While many of the 2008 Falcons saw some playing time at the varsity level only five starters return — six if you count Graham, who split time with Eric Terrazas last year. The lack of experience is especially noticeable along the lines, where Andrew Sorgatz is the only returnee with experience.

“There’s no defensive lineman with a lot of experience and only one offensive lineman with experience,” Wardynski said.

However, Wardynski said several potential starting linemen had asserted themselves during early practices.

“I think they’re picking up on stuff pretty well,” the coach said.

And the starters that do return — DeAno, Graham, Trumpy — are some of the best athletes in the school.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The Falcons made it back to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, but a first-round loss to Morgan Park in the 7A opening round made it a short stay. Though they are learning a new offense, new defense and new head coach, the Falcons have a playoff berth and postseason run in their sights. Last season’s 5-5 record and 41-0 loss to Morgan Park weigh heavily.

“I would like not to be 5-5,” said the Northwestern-bound Trumpy. “I hope we live up to expectations. We have a great coach and people expect great things from us. I hope we live up to that.

“As long as we keep working hard, it will all fall in place.”