Progress Report: Another deep run for Waubonsie Valley?

Waubonsie Valley is no stranger to the postseason.

The Warriors have made the Class 8A playoffs 12 times in coach Paul Murphy's 14 seasons, but haven't reached the state semifinals since 2015.

The 2018 playoffs saw Waubonsie take down Bolingbrook, 38-21, in the first round before falling to Maine South, 41-14, the following week.

“Our goal is always to try to make the playoffs and go as far as we can,” head coach Paul Murphy said. “The second goal would be to win the [DuPage Valley Conference]. This is a group that has the ability to do that if we stay healthy.”

With eight starters returning, Murphy is confident heading into the season given the effort that has been put forth in the offseason.

“Since last season ended, I couldn't ask for a better turnout in the weight room,” Murphy said. “It's just now about starting Aug 12 we have to start putting all the pieces together, and we have to be ready for when we start on Aug. 30 in that first game [against Oak Park].”

Head coach: Paul Murphy (15th season)

Last year's record: 7-4

Biggest question

What will it take to make a deep postseason run?

“When you're playing a very good caliber football team you have to be at your very best when you're playing in the semifinals,” Murphy said.

The two deep postseason runs that the Warriors have made under Murphy were the semifinal run in 2015 and the quarterfinal run in 2012.

The last semifinal game Waubonsie was in was the 2015 snow game that Marist took, 31-16.

“The year we lost to Marist, both of those [2012 and 2015] were kind of identical,” Murphy said. “We were 5-4 in the regular season and both of those we went on a lull. They happened to play better that night than we did when we lost to them in the semifinals. It could've been us, but you cannot have a ‘B’ game in the playoffs. Every year your game has to be at the ‘A’ level in order to have a chance for success.”

Players to watch

The centerpiece of Waubonsie’s offense is returning 1,000-yard running back Bryce Logan.

“Bryce Logan, he's a kid that rushed over 1000 yards last year and had 600 yards as a sophomore, and he sprained his ankle so he didn't get to play the full season,” Murphy said.

The senior back rushed for 1,148 yards and 11 touchdowns at a clip of 5.5 yards per carry. His strong junior season earned him an offer from Air Force Academy as well as multiple offers from NAIA and D2 schools.

The new starting quarterback will be senior Ethan Nelson who played in two regular season games after starter Jack Drow went down in Week 4 against Edwardsville. With Nelson under the helm, the Warriors defeated Edwardsville, 21-7, and Naperville North, 31-24.

“He's actually 2-0 as a quarterback at the varsity level,” Murphy said. “He's done what we typically expect of our seniors. He had a lot of growing pains as a junior, but he learned a lot as a junior going against the number one defense every day in practice. He's come back with a great understanding of our offense, he's got a strong arm and were excited about what he can do for us.”

Waubonsie is strong in the trenches as well with seniors Sam Skuja and Joey Gits returning.

“Skuja the offensive lineman and Joey Gits at defensive lineman are two kids that have a chance to dominate at their positions,” Murphy said.

Newcomers you need to know

Some new faces to keep an eye on are sophomore Antonio Torres and junior Elijah Lee.

"Antonio Torres is very intelligent and makes plays both offensively and defensively," Murphy said.

Torres will be the second running back behind Logan along with playing safety.

Lee will join Torres in the secondary as well as lining up at receiver.

"Elijah Lee is a good route runner and is very elusive," Murphy said. "As a DB, he reads the QB's eyes very well."

A linebacker to watch out for is junior Jordan Young.

"Jordan Young has good size and athletic ability," Murphy said. "He doesn't know how good he can be yet."

2019 schedule analysis

The season opens up at home against an Oak Park-River Forest team that Waubonsie edged out, 24-17, last season.

Following the opener, the Warriors will play Libertyville on the road, and head out to Louisville, Kentucky the next week to play Trinity.

The next six games are all against strong Dupage Valley Conference opponents.

The first conference opponents of the season are Naperville North and Neuqua Valley in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively. Waubonsie defeated North, 31-24, last season followed by falling to Neuqua Valley, 47-16.

In Week 6, the Warriors will play DeKalb for the first time as a conference opponent as the Barbs just joined the DVC.

The season will end against three consecutive conference opponents at home against Naperville Central, Metea Valley and Naperville North.

Waubonsie’s toughest test of the season will be Week 7 against Naperville Central, who they lost to last season by a score of 35-14.

Early take

Waubonsie looks poised for a deep playoff run with eight starters returning who have playoff experience.

“I think it would mean a lot,” Murphy said. “We’ve never had a team in the state championship game, so that would be huge for the district as well as the community. It goes back to how hard our players have worked in the offseason.”