Season outlook

It isn’t as simple as Al Davis’ philosophy of “Just win, baby.” But the Wilmington program has certainly made it appear that way in recent seasons. The Wildcats have been far too much for most Interstate Eight teams to handle. A lot of teams will try to be the first to knock the Wildcats off their I-8 title perch. Manteno, a team that nearly ended the string of wins last season, will give the Wildcats their first serious challenge in the season opener.

Quick hits

Head coach: Jeff Reents, 18th season

Career record: 147-42, 147-42 at Wilmington

Conference: Interstate Eight Small

Last playoff: Class 3A second round, 2010

Best season: Class 3A runner-up, 2003

2010 points per game (rank): 38.7 (2nd)

2010 points allowed per game: 15.8 (1st)

2011 schedule/results

Record: 7-4

Manteno 14, Wilmington 11 | box score

Wilmington 30, Peotone 0 | box score

Wilmington 49, Reed-Custer 0

Wilmington 52, Lisle 1

Wilmington 34, Seneca 14

Wilmington 35, Dwight 0  | box score

Wilmington 44, Westmont 14

Coal City 20, Wilmington 14

Sandwich 45, Wilmington 38

Playoffs

Wilmington 34, Rockridge 14

Winnebago 14, Wilmington 7 (OT)

2010 schedule/results

Class 3A | Record 10-0

Wilmington 23, Manteno 21 (OT) | box score

Wilmington 45, Peotone 12 | box score

Wilmington 49, Reed-Custer 0 | box score

Wilmington 34, Lisle 28 OT | box score not available

Wilmington 42, Seneca 12 | box score

Wilmington 35, Dwight 12 | box score

Wilmington 52, Westmont 12 | box score not available

Wilmington 40, Coal City 19 | box score

Wilmington 34, Sandwich 14 | box score

Playoffs

Wilmington 55, Winnebago 26 | box score

2009 results

Record 11-1

Wilmington 56, Manteno 7

Wilmington 37, Peotone 8

Wilmington 45, Reed-Custer 14

Wilmington 47, Westmont 12

Wilmington 44, Dwight 0

Wilmington 42, Seneca 14

Wilmington 55, Lisle 7

Wilmington 49, Plano 22

Wilmington 41, Herscher 14

Playoffs

Wilmington 33, Reed-Custer 7

Wilmington 57, St. Joseph-Ogden 26

Illini West 43, Wilmington 41