South Elgin clinches first-ever playoff berth

Reisner boots game-winning FG in OT

STREAMWOOD – South Elgin proved once again that it might get down, but it can never be counted out.

The Storm's chances of victory against St. Charles North looked slim early in the fourth quarter Friday, but a huge defensive stop and an 80-yard touchdown pass changed the game's complexion in a hurry.

When South Elgin sophomore David Reisner connected on a 27-yard field goal in overtime, the Storm had a 10-7 victory and its fourth second-half comeback of the year.

The triumph also clinched South Elgin's first-ever trip to the postseason. Meanwhile, the North Stars saw their Upstate Eight Conference title hopes take a major hit in the lowest scoring game of the season for both teams.

"This has been going on since Week 1," South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. "The personality and the character these kids have taken on is just unreal. You just don't feel like you're out of any ballgame."

The North Stars led 7-0 and appeared ready to put the game out of reach with first-and-goal from the South Elgin 3-yard line with just over nine minutes left, but what had been a steady drive to that point soon flamed out.

North (6-2, 4-2) was still on the 3-yard line after two unsuccessful running plays when a holding penalty pushed the line of scrimmage back to the 13-yard line. Senior receiver Jeffrey Stolzenburg's attempt at a circus catch in the end zone was ruled incomplete on the next play, and the Storm officially dodged the bullet when Cory Harmon's 30-yard field goal attempt came up short.

South Elgin (6-2, 3-2) wasted no time building on the momentum. Quarterback John Menken just missed a long completion down the left sideline on first down, but he wouldn't be denied on second down as he connected with junior Domico Failla on the right sideline for an 80-yard touchdown pass that tied the score at 7 with 6:58 to play.

"The corner was staring right at the quarterback the whole time and I knew the safety was too far in," Failla said. "I knew with my speed I was going to beat him to the outside. When I caught it I knew there was no way I could let him catch me."

Both defenses held tough for the remainder of regulation as Reisner missed wide right on a 38-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. The Storm won the coin toss and elected to send its defense on to the field first in overtime, and the defense delivered as it had for most of the night.

Facing third-and-goal from the 9-yard line, North quarterback Jake Bergren was sacked for a four-yard loss by senior George Bedford, who was in at defensive end for injured junior Derek Hurschman. Harmon then misfired on a 30-yard field goal attempt to end the possession.

"We just stepped up as a whole defensive unit," South Elgin linebacker Sean Kolber said. "We just knew we had to make the stop to get the win."

Reisner trotted on the field and delivered the game-winning field goal on the first play of the Storm's ensuing possession.

For North, the defeat spoiled a big effort from junior Dirk Schmitt, who ran for 127 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. He also caught a pair of passes for 30 yards.

The North Stars limited the Storm only 67 rushing yards on 33 carries. South Elgin managed just 46 yards in the first as both teams went scoreless during the first two quarters.

"I thought our defense played great," North coach Mark Gould said. "For the most part they did every thing we asked them to do, except for one big play."

SOUTH ELGIN 10, ST. CHARLES NORTH 7 (OT)

North            0   0   7   0   0   --   7

South Elgin    0   0   0   7   3   --  10

SCN – Schmitt 4 run (Harmon kick), 3:41

SE – Failla 80 pass from Menken (Reisner kick), 6:58

SE – FG Reisner 27

Team statistics             SE           SCN

First downs                      9              13

Comp.-Att.-Int.            8-17-1      4-15-0

Passing yards                 152             48

Rushing Att.-Yards       33-67        40-175

Total yards                     219             223

Penalties-Yards              6-39.5       11-90

Fumbles-Lost                  2-1             3-1

Individual statistics

Rushing

SE: Birchfield 19-47, Menken 10-10, Hansley 3-10, Randich 1-0.

SCN: Schmitt 20-127, Bergren 12-46, Novak 2-7, Hodges 6-(-5).

Passing

SE: Menken 7-16-1 141, Birchfield 1-1-0 11.

SCN: Bergren 4-15-0 48.

Receiving

SE: Failla 2-94, Chaney 2-22, Kumerow 2-16, Birchfield 1-15, McGinn 1-5.

SCN: Schmitt 2-30, Novak 2-18.