Dante Warren is sort of like the Kurt Warner of high school football.
“It’s almost like a Cinderella story,” said the St. Viator quarterback who went from a backup to most valuable player in the East Suburban Catholic Conference in one season.
Once the talented Jared Funk took his passing act to Vanderbilt, Warren had his chance. His signature moment came in rallying the Lions from a 21-0 deficit to beat Carmel 43-42 in overtime two weeks ago.
With Carmel intent on containing running back Pat McAvoy, Warren went wild, passing for 310 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for two TDs.
The next opponent, Nazareth, saw that and reacted accordingly. No way would Warren do that to the Roadrunners. And he didn’t. Instead, McAvoy ran for 267 yards and five TDs and his night was over after a 50-yard TD run on the first play of the third quarter.
Which way does Dunbar’s defense lean in Saturday’s Class 6A playoff opener at the old Forest View High School in Arlington Heights?
Warren has completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,668 yards and 18 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11-inch, 175-pound senior has also rushed for 645 yards and 12 TDs. That comes to 2,313 yards and 30 TDs.
Despite missing nearly two games because of an ankle injury, three-year starter McAvoy has rushed for 1,160 yards and 16 TDs. As a strong safety, he has 30 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles and 15 pass deflections.
“We have this 1-2 punch, and there’s a comfort level having Pat back there with me,” Warren said. “And I really believe our receiving corps (Pat Guth, Austin Szafranski, Eric Huber, Dan O’Connell) could be the best in the state.”
The 6-0, 202-pound McAvoy had more than 500 yards rushing and six touchdowns in his first two games.
“In grade school I was a quarterback, and now I’m able to read a defense and figure out which way it’s flowing,” McAvoy said. “I’ll tell Dante the defense is in a cover-three or cover-two (scheme).
“Going both ways, I find myself having more energy when I stay on the field. That way, my muscles won’t have time to cool down and tighten up.”
Warren went to 10 different football camps in the off-season and credits Maine South offensive coordinator Charlie Bliss and QB tutor Jeff Christensen for improving his fundamentals. Warren can throw a football nearly 70 yards.
“I’ve known Dante since the 6th grade when we attended St. Viator’s football camp,” McAvoy said. “He has always had a great arm. He is fast and shifty. And he’s doing an amazing job this year.”
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bsakamoto@tribune.com
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– For first-round state playoff scores, go to: www.chicagosports.com/preps
