Coach: Jesse Pierce (second season)
Last season: 1-8 (1-4 Central Suburban South), did not make playoffs.
First-and-10: Wolves junior Jack Lochner has never taken a varsity snap, but the 5-foot-11, 165-pound athlete will be the starting quarterback. He’s already a proven varsity athlete, having starred on the Wolves baseball team since his freshman year. He’ll take charge of an offense that uses spread concepts and features returning senior running back John Trinh and senior receiver Christian Lewis. Up front, seniors Adnan Perazic and Chris Homa provide some experience. “(Lochner) is athletic, has a good arm and is pretty nifty with his feet,” Pierce said. “We’re looking forward to seeing his next step into the Friday-night lights as a varsity quarterback.”
Three-and-out: Though numbers are up slightly in the program — Pierce expects about 40 on the varsity roster — Niles West still must rely heavily on two-way players. The defense will feature a front four that largely resembles the offensive line. Pierce said senior linebackers Marc Surpris and Trinh are the leaders of the defense. Lewis contributed at cornerback as a junior. The group will be looking to improve on a 2017 season in which Niles West surrendered nearly 38 points per game. “We’ll play a 4-3 and slash 4-2-5 (featuring defensive backs/linebacker hybrids), and we’ll really try to rally around the ball and be a good, sound defense,” Pierce said.
Keep an eye on: How the team responds after a July 24 visit by four U.S. Marines, who put the players through military-level physical-fitness drills that served as team-building exercises. The event was organized by Niles West strength and conditioning coach Fernando Perez, who served in the Marines. “The kids had to work together to accomplish different tasks,” Pierce said. “It was physical training and required a lot of mental strength. The Marines talked to our guys about sacrifice and what it means to serve, and the physical aspect of being a soldier. Three of the four (Marines) had played high school football, and they all spoke about how athletics led them to the path they chose. It was really cool.”
Game to watch: Oct. 12 vs. Niles North. The Wolves’ only win of the 2017 campaign was a 33-14 triumph against the Vikings.
2018 schedule
8/24 DE LA SALLE, 7:30
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8/31 at Solorio, 7:30
9/7 SCHAUMBURG, 7:30
9/14 at Buffalo Grove, 7:30
9/21 NEW TRIER, 7:30
9/28 GLENBROOK SOUTH, 7
10/5 at Evanston, 7:30
10/12 NILES NORTH, 7
10/19 at Maine South, 7