Wheaton Warrior football teams have always taken a lot of pride in defense. There are a lot of different ways to calculate what makes a great defensive team, but first and foremost — stopping the other team from scoring. The 1980 team that went 7-2 in 11-man only allowed 7.3 points per game, and the 1991 team that made it to the state semifinal game in the Metrodome only allowed 7.9. Those two teams probably lay the greatest claim to the best defensive teams in Wheaton history, but there are some other factors to consider.

In 2010, as the game really started to become a lot more offensive-minded, the 10-1 Warriors still only allowed 9.5 points per game. The 1999 Warriors (my very own undefeated Pheasant Conference championship team) racked up 17 fumble recoveries and 25 interceptions for an astounding 4.2 turnovers forced per game.

The 1991 Warriors hold the record for being the stoutest against the run, allowing just 95.8 rushing yards per game and just 162 total yards per game. The 2007 Warriors, a 12-1 team that lost in the state semifinals, allowed just 37.5 passing yards per game. Looking at the numbers, you’ll see the 1977 team that finished 1-8 has some good defensive numbers, but to a certain extent that was a sign of the times, as the Warriors were outscored in their eight defensive battles by a total of just 131-94.

I have compiled stats from 1977 to present but continue to work my way backward and will update the site.

Team Defensive Statistics