Muhitch finds new assistants, reloads

WW South running back Peter Jarrett is a player to watch this season.
(Jon Cunningham/For the Naperville Sun)

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In April, Wheaton Warrenville South coach Ron Muhitch’s football program was dealt a major blow.

Defensive coordinator Joe Wardynski left to become the head coach at rival Wheaton North. And offensive line coach Mike O’Brien moved to Iowa when his wife got another job.

Muhitch was left in the lurch. “But I’ve replaced them with some good people,” he said.

Muhitch was able to turn a big negative into an even bigger positive. He brought in former Northwestern star Jon Schweighardt, who still holds school receiving records and was a two-time state track champion in the hurdles. Schweighardt led the Tigers to the Class 6A state title in 1998 and an undefeated season.

And former Tiger defensive tackle Devon Finn, who won a state title in 1995 and played in the NFL with Miami and Denver, joined Muhitch’s staff and will work with the defensive line.

“Our core coaches packed up and left,” senior running back Peter Jarrett said. “Finn and Schweighardt are huge for our team. Jon works with the quarterback and receivers and has brought new life back. Finn works with the defensive line and has that professional experience.”

WW South will have a strong running game between Jarrett and three-year starter Mike Olp at fullback. The quarterback spot will be between senior Joe Furco and junior Mack Tracey. Linebacker Pat Dansdill and nose guard Mike Riss anchor the defense.

The Tigers had a 27-game winning streak, which ended in last year’s Class 7A state championship game, a 7-3 loss to Lake Zurich. That streak included an 8A state title in 2006 and a 13-0 mark in 2007 going into the final.

Last season surprised Muhitch, who thought a return to the state championship game wouldn’t happen.

“We’ve had real successful years here and had an outstanding run where we didn’t lose a game,” Muhitch said. “All our levels went undefeated [in 2007] and the hope is that our lower level kids have learned how to win.”

Those lower level kids from a year ago are now juniors and they haven’t lost a game yet.

“The juniors have a lot of talent and should be able to fill in real well,” Jarrett said. “They’re a big confidence booster.”

takouris@suntimes.com 

WW SOUTH BY THE NUMBERS

Conference: DuPage Valley

Coach: Ron Muhitch 7th Season (61-14)

2007 Record: 13-1 (7-0) Class 7A Runner-up

2007 Final Rank: 4

2008 Schedule

August

29 @ Hinsdale Central

September

5 @ Joliet Catholic

12 West Chicago

19 Glenbard North

26 @ Naperville Central

October

3 @ West Aurora

10 Wheaton North

17 Glenbard East

24 @ Naperville North

Key Games: Aug. 29 at Hinsdale Central and Sept. 5 at Joliet Catholic: A relatively inexperienced WW South squad will be tested early in the season with trips to Hinsdale Central and Joliet Catholic. The play of seniors Peter Jarrett (running back) and Pat Dansdill (linebacker) will be key.

Phil Barnes