By Bobby Narang –
The West Aurora High School football program took two more big steps in the last week.
After a 7-3 record last season and losing to Naperville Central in a Class 8A first-round playoff game, the Blackhawks are poised for another solid season.
The Blackhawks will play a stiff schedule next season, with three of their first four games on the road. But West Aurora, which has made the playoffs for the last three seasons, will return with numerous key starters and experience for a possible and solid playoff State run.
The Blackhawks captured first place at the prestigious Red Grange 7-on-7 held at Wheaton Warrenville South High School Friday. The one-day event was shortened to just a morning session due to extreme heat, but the Blackhawks took another step in their program development with their solid showing. Maine South placed second, and Wheaton Warrenville South finished in third place.
The Blackhawks won all five of their games in pool play and opened the day with victories over Schaumburg and Wheaton North.
• West Aurora junior, Denver Warren, Monday gave a verbal commitment to the University of Michigan. Warren, a defensive tackle, is a four-star recruit. The 6-2, 318-pound Warren had offers from 14 schools, including Michigan State, Georgia, and Illinois, among others. He made an unofficial visit to Michigan June 17.
“(Michigan) had everything I wanted,” Warren said. “Michigan just felt like the right place for me. It’s the best fit for me. I didn’t want to wait any longer because I knew Michigan was right for me. I didn’t really have any sort of plan. After my visit to Michigan, I felt like after talking it over with my mom and the rest of my family and coaches that I was ready to make my decision.”
Warren’s decision to attend Michigan, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, former Chicago Bears’ quarterback, is another big moment for the West Aurora program. Michigan has the most victories in college football history with 929, claimed 11 national championships from 1901 to 1997, and won 42 Big Ten Conference championships.
West Aurora will open at Larkin Friday, Aug. 24, then play eight more Upstate Eight Conference games, including at home in week eight against East Aurora Friday, Oct. 12. Ten teams in the Upstate Eight will prevent non-conference games.
