Tough loss motivates Mustangs

Downers South running back Scottie Williams is a player to watch this season.
(Herb Shenkin/Naperville Sun)

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Chants of ''O-VER-RA-TED'' are some of the final memories Downers Grove South junior quarterback Chandler Whitmer has of last season.

''Oh, I remember them,'' said Whitmer, referring to the end of the Mustangs' first-round home playoff loss to Homewood-Flossmoor. ''It was Downers North fans.''

The chants came in part because the Mustangs went 9-0 during the regular season and were a top seed.

But now, the chants are simply a motivation.

''They're chanting against you, and you want to prove them wrong,'' Whitmer said. ''Obviously, it was a big upset, and we are definitely looking to get past that. Now, it's kind of motivation for us.''

With eight starters returning, including Whitmer, a provoked Mustangs offense should be the last thing opponents want to see this year.

As a sophomore, Whitmer passed for more than 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns while throwing only one interception in the regular season.

Running back Scottie Williams, who battled injuries last year but ran for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore on the varsity team, also is back. So is leading receiver Wes Manzer. Other returners include receiver Zach Tomanovich, tight end Greg Fox and linemen Chris Wild (6-2, 260), Rory Dudas (5-10, 200) and Mick Muench (6-0, 235).

''Our offense has a lot of weapons,'' Williams said. “We have experience and that will carry over to this year. We are going to be pretty good. We have a good line and our running game should be pretty good and that can set up our passing game.”

While the Mustangs will have to replace eight starters on defense -- including three three-year starters -- their best defense might just be a potent offense.

''If we stay healthy and our kids keep their heads screwed on, we should able to put up some points and take some pressure off our defense,'' Downers South coach John Belskis said. ''Our expectations this year -- like every year -- are to win every game.''

ajahns@chicagosuntimes.com 

DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH BY THE NUMBERS

Conference: West Suburban Gold

Coach: John Belskis 20th Season (164-46)

2007 Record: 9-1 (6-0) Class 8A First Round

2007 Final Rank: NR

2008 Schedule

August

29 @ Bolingbrook

September

5 York

12 @ Downers North

19 Willowbrook

26 @ Proviso East

October

3 @ Hinsdale South

10 Addison Trail

17 @ Morton

24 Leyden

Key Game: September 12 at Downers North: Even though the Mustangs defeated Downers North 21-7 last year, expect this early season crosstown rivalry to be even more intense than usual (see above).

Phil Barnes