The Waubonsie Valley football program had hoped to bounce back from a snake-bitten 2000 season, but the Warriors fell flatter than the proverbial lead balloon in their season opener.
After crashing down from a 5-1 start a year ago with three straight losses, the Warriors opened the 2001 campaign with a 24-0 loss to Conant. The question for a team with 15 returning starters was, “What’s next?”
Next were victories over Wheaton Warrenville South and Streamwood. The Warriors were unshaken by their opener and take a 2-1 overall record and a 1-0 mark in the Upstate Eight into Friday’s matchup with rival Neuqua Valley.
“The Conant game made us realize we’re not flawless,” said standout offensive guard Jay Gillette. “It gave us incentive. I’d say it motivated us more than it hurt us, to tell you the truth. It just gave us a ton of incentive to work hard. We feel really good but we know we have to work hard. If we start slacking, another Conant could happen again.”
Last season, the Warriors looked like they were headed to the playoffs for the first time since 1997. Losses to Streamwood, Lake Park and Neuqua Valley by two, nine and four points brought the season to a crashing end.
Waubonsie Valley coach B.J. Luke, who has coached the Warriors to seven playoff appearances and has an 84-49 record at the school, liked the way the team has rebounded.
“It was a real learning experience for us,” Luke said. “The nice thing about it was they didn’t get discouraged. They have hung in there and have really bounced back. It was tough for them, but we have pretty good kids. They have worked hard in the off-season and are really pretty bright considering the big picture.
“I think that made it easier to work through it, look at what the problems were and not take it personally. When you see that you’re not doing the job, you correct it. They were mature enough to do that. When you have a young team like we had a year ago, your head starts spinning when you get a little adversity. I’m real proud of the way they have come back.”
Waubonsie Valley’s strength is in its offensive line. Gillette, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound senior, and center Scott Dorman (6-foot-1, 215 pounds), both earned all-conference honors a year ago, while 6-foot-6, 305-pound Jon Connon was an honorable-mention pick in his second year of football. Junior Andy McDonald is the other tackle while Israel Urbina is the other guard.
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After being embarrassed in the opener, the Warrior offensive line has performed well since. Line play will go a long way toward determining the outcome of Friday’s game. Neuqua Valley has 300-pounders Jeff Dugas and Erskine Williams in the middle of its defensive line, Burke Baldwin at an end and linebacker Easton Linde behind them.
“They come off the ball real well,” Neuqua coach Bryan Wells said of the Waubonsie offensive line. “Both sides of the ball have a real challenge for us. They are a solid offensive line. Every one of them looks good on film. It will be interesting to see if we can shut down their running game.”
Neuqua Valley, now 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference, has won both games in this young rivalry. Wells hasn’t had to say anything to his team about it.
Waubonsie has a sense of urgency, and the rivalry is part of it.
“We’re looking forward to playing them,” said Gillette, who is being recruited by several Big Ten schools despite being only 6-foot-2. “They have come out and got us the last two years. For the seniors, this is the last chance to play them. We’ve been going 100 percent all week. Playing Neuqua gives us a little more inspiration.”
Waubonsie Valley hopes sophomore quarterback James Antonides continues to improve. The 5-foot-6 160-pounder struggled against Conant but has come on strong. Running the option, he scored three touchdowns and gained 66 yards. After completing just one of eight passes the first week, he has completed seven of his last eight. His quickness and strength have offset his lack of size.
“That’s why we put number 22 on him, Doug Flutie’s Boston College number,” Luke said. “He’s a tiny guy but he’s strong and very bright. He’s a very mature kid for a sophomore. He’s showed a lot of poise where a lot of kids might not have.”
Beating Neuqua Valley would help purge the 2000 season from the Warriors’ memories. Last week was payback to Streamwood and a victory on Friday would help even more.
“After the season, I knew I’d never forget that feeling of being on top of the world and then just nosedive,” Gillette said. “Everyone remembers that and it’s been motivation to not let that happen again.”