Gridiron preview

Class 7A

Winner gets: No. 1 Glenbard West or No. 9 Rockton Hononegah

Playoff appearances: Elk Grove (9th overall, first since 2004); North (8 overall, 8th consecutive).

Players to watch: ELK GROVE -- QB Nick Meyer (1,807 pass yards, 15 TDs, 962 rush yards, 16 TDs); WR Matt McEnery (21 rec., 364 yards, 2 TDs); WR Eddie Stahl (24 rec., 385 yards, 3 TDs). NORTH -- QB Jake Bergren (64-129, 928 yards, 10 TDs); WR Jeffrey Stolzenburg (28 rec., 505 yards, 6 TDs); RB Dirk Schmitt (101 att., 474 yards, 6 TDs).

Scouting Elk Grove: With first-year coach Brian Doll at the helm, the Grenadiers are enjoying their finest season since 2004. This year marks the program's first playoff appearance since that '04 campaign when Elk Grove finished 11-1 and reached the state quarterfinals. The Grenadiers tied for second in the Mid Suburban League East Division this season and notched a 28-21 road win against Machesney Park Harlem in last week's playoff opener.

"Our players are continuing to develop in two new systems, and they believe in what we are doing," Doll said. "They have learned to play four quarters and have fought back numerous times in the fourth to win close games."

Meyer is the centerpiece of a spread offensive attack that averages 25.6 points per game. The junior leads the team in rushing and passing and also returns kicks and plays safety on defense. Meyer threw for 304 yards and 3 TDs in last week's win. Doll said his team's defense prefers to attack its opponent. The Grenadiers are allowing 13.9 points per game.

"It kind of all starts with their quarterback," North coach Mark Gould said. "He's a very multi-dimensional kid. He's got a lot of speed. He's got just a gun for an arm too and does a nice job of finding the open receivers."

Scouting North: The North Stars have a chance to break new ground and become the first team in school history to reach the state quarterfinals. North is in the playoffs for the eighth straight year, but 2006 was the only other time the program reached the second round. The North Stars bounced back from two overtime losses to end the regular season by beating Upstate Eight Conference rival South Elgin 28-16 on the road in the first round of the playoffs last week. North's defense keys the team's success. The North Stars are allowing only 13.2 points per game and 2.9 yards per rushing attempt.

"It gives a team a lot of confidence when you know your defense can hold the other team down and can get the big stops," Gould said.

Bergren guides an offense that is scoring 29.4 points per game. In addition to his passing exploits, the junior leads the team in rushing with 524 yards. He led all players with 121 yards on 12 carries last week. Left tackle Matt Mautone, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound senior, anchors North's offensive line. Senior RB Jordan Huxtable will be out with a left knee injury he sustained last week.

"St. Charles North is a very solid team with great size up front on offense and defense," Doll said. "I am impressed with (Bergren) and how he developed as the season has gone on. Left tackle (Mautone) is one of the best we have seen."

Erik Jacobsen's pick: North

ERIK JACOBSEN'S RECORD | Last week: 2-2 | Overall: 77-32