Wilmington aiming for the summit

Updated: August 24, 2011 7:30PM

It’s evident expectations at Wilmington are higher than ever when a run of three straight undefeated regular seasons ends in an unfulfilling playoff trek.

Coach Jeff Reents wouldn’t have it any other way.

In 2010, the Wildcats recorded their third consecutive undefeated regular season before falling in the second round of the playoffs to Aurora Christian, leaving an unsatisfied feeling with the coaching staff, players and fans of Wilmington.

“We’re very fortunate to be on a pretty good roll to be undefeated the last three seasons in the regular season,” Reents said. “But I think last year we were hoping to get a little further. Overall, I was proud of our kids and the way they played last season.”

Coming off its third straight Interstate Eight Small championship, Wilmington will experience more turnover than in seasons past. Gone are quarterback Ty Anderson, running back and All-Stater Jeremy Bailey, as well as Steve Liaromatis. But an experienced offensive line and the return of an experienced linebacking corps and secondary has Reents looking to get the Wildcats back to Champaign, site of the state finals. The players and staff know that anything less could be seen as a disappointment.

“That’s where we’re at right now, and that’s something our kids have to deal with,” Reents said. “We’re trying to get deeper in the playoffs and make that step toward Champaign.

“Expectations are the same thing this year. We have some kids back, but we also have a lot of new faces that we’ll have to get involved early in the season. We’ll be a different team in games five and six than we will be in games one and two.”

Senior Alex Peterson returns as a third-year varsity starter to anchor the offensive line, which figures to be the strength of the Wildcats.

“If I can get guys up front coming back I feel very blessed,” Reents said. “I’ve been lucky to have some great kids in the backfield and we’ll have that this year. I’m just glad we have something coming back, where some years you come in with not much back at all.”

Although replacing the backfield will be a priority for the Wildcats, having the coaching staff in place puts them ahead of the game in the I-8. With several new coaches in the conference, Wilmington doesn’t have to worry about much turnover. Reents’ players know what to expect when they step on the field.

“Our staff has been in place with some guys that are here with me in Year 18,” Reents said. “Our offseason program is something our kids have done a good job with. I’m very fortunate to be a coach in a town where people love the sport of football, not only at the high school level but for younger kids as well. Year in and year out kids strive to maintain that tradition.”

With that comes pressure of having more than a strong regular season. Wildcats faithful long for a return to Champaign, not having been there since Wilmington was Class 3A runner-up in 2003.

“We have higher expectations as a coaching staff than anyone else,” Reents said. “The pressure that comes is put on us by ourselves. The kids and coaches have high expectations but at the same time, you have to remember we’re dealing with 16- and 17-year-old kids. We’re an injury or two from being very average in a hurry just like everyone else.

“I think any coach feels pressure and if they say anything else they aren’t telling the truth, but I’m glad I’m in the situation where the expectations are so high. I’m glad they’re there.”

Wilmington opens Friday against Manteno, a tea, the Wildcats defeated in overtime last season. It’s Step 1 in avenging last season’s playoff loss.

“The kids want to get back into the playoff-type atmosphere, and that’s where you find a lot out about yourself as a player and as a program,” Reents said. “We’ve been fortunate to have success in a very tough conference.

“We need to take care of conference work first. We’re going to find out in a hurry where we stand this year.”

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