In the past, the Wildcats have struggled during their seasons. In 2021, they finished with an overall record of 1–8 — their final year under former head coach Tyler Belding. When the 2022 season began, the Wildcats brought in a new leader — Coach Adam Chavez — who introduced a new philosophy and approach to the program.
Chavez came to West Chicago with a strong background in both teaching and coaching. He taught at Greenfield South High School for seven years and previously worked in Florida, Indiana, and Nevada. When the head coaching position opened, his friend Bill Bicker, who coached the Wildcats from 2012 to 2014, encouraged him to apply.
Chavez said he was excited for the opportunity and entered the role with a simple philosophy: to be tougher and more physical than every opponent.
“Coach Chavez implemented discipline and made sure that the team was working hard,” senior David Weber said. “Another huge difference has been Coach Dusynski coming in as a strength coach for the school. Everyone has had more opportunities to get bigger, faster, and stronger.”
The 2022–23 season was a turning point for the Wildcats, bringing a series of program firsts, including beating Bartlett for the first time in history. That win also gave the Wildcats the opportunity to make playoffs for the first time in over 20 years.
“When we beat Bartlett in overtime, I think that was really the game that kind of catapulted us into an upward trajectory,” Chavez said. “I was really happy for the community. I was really happy for the kids, for everyone in the school just to give them that opportunity that not a lot of schools get to do, so just happy for the whole community to be able to take them to the playoffs,”
Bartlett wasn’t the only program the Wildcats made progress against. Each year against Glenbard South High School, the score has gotten closer. In Chavez’s first year, the Wildcats lost 8–41; this season, the game ended 27–34 — a narrow loss that reflects the team’s improvement against one of the conference’s toughest opponents.
Although Chavez brought a new mindset and coaching style, he credits the team — especially the seniors — for making it work. The class of 2026 has been with him since the beginning.
“This senior class is really special to me,” Chavez said. “When I first came in, they were all freshmen. They all kind of bought into what we were talking about as a coaching staff, and they stuck together.”
The rise of the Wildcats football program has also brought on more support than ever before. The stands have been packed with students, parents, alumni, and fellow members of the community.
“I’ve seen how the student section has grown,” Chavez said. “My first year, we barely had any students in the stands, and now it’s packed. Just keep coming out and keep making noise.”
The Wildcats plan to keep building on their momentum, supported by a community that believes in them.
“On day one, everyone bought into what Coach Chavez was building, and it took off from there,” former player Louis Zietler said. “The rest is history.”