Something to build on

Rae

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STREAMWOOD -- Four short years ago the first group of freshmen in South Elgin High School history took the field. On Saturday afternoon that group played its final game and went out in style with a 42-0 win over Streamwood at Millennium Field.

Senior quarterback Patrick Rae threw for three touchdowns and senior wide receiver Josh Smith scored twice to lead the Storm.

"This is really a special group of seniors," said South Elgin coach Dale Schabert. "This was our first group of freshmen. They bought into what we were doing right away. They have really showed a great commitment the past four years and have meant so much to our program. I wish we could have gotten them more wins along the way, but I'm sure glad they were able to go out with a big win today."

The game was originally scheduled for Friday night but was postponed to Saturday because of inclement weather. The Storm (3-6, 2-4 Upstate Eight Conference) got out to a rough start with five penalties in the first quarter but broke a scoreless tie with 28 points in the second quarter.

"We were a little worried that we might lose some edge having to wait to play," Schabert said. "But the guys showed up ready to go. I just think our energy might have been misguided at the start. But once we got focused we were fine."

South Elgin got on track by pounding the ball up the middle on its first possession of the second quarter. Trevor Hansley rushed five times for 42 yards in an 82-yard drive. Smith caught a 13-yard pass on a slant in the end zone from Rae for the game's first score.

Moments later, Smith returned a punt 52 yards for the Storm's second score.

"I thought I was going to get clobbered because I was really off balance when I caught the ball and there was a guy coming right at me," Smith said. "But I owe Jared Johnson one for the next year for saving me with a big block and springing me for the touchdown."

Rae had an 11-yard TD pass to Phil Kawabata later in the second quarter and Brad Birchfield ran another one in from 1 yard out. Rae's third touchdown pass came on an 8-yard toss to Gianluca Pellegrino in the third quarter.

Hansley, who rushed for a game-high 121 yards on 15 carries, scored the final TD on a 2-yard run in the fourth. The Storm's defense held Streamwood to just 117 yards, while recording the school's first-ever shutout.

The Sabres (1-8, 1-6) were without injured starting quarterback Noel Rivera.

"We were pretty banged up," said Streamwood coach Cal Cummins. "I think it took a lot out of us. We probably weren't in the best frame of mind, but we were able to clear some hurdles this year. The seniors had a great attitude and work ethic and that should carry over to the underclassmen."