Following his team's win at Vernon Hills two weeks ago, South Elgin coach Dale Schabert noted that upcoming opponents would have to take his team seriously.
"Now I think we'll have some people scrambling to get the first two films and see what we're doing," Schabert said. "But that's a nice feeling. I'd rather them looking at us than ignoring us."
After last week's 28-26 triumph at Neuqua Valley, rest assured that nobody in the Upstate Eight Conference is ignoring the Storm.
With a talented group of juniors and several key returning seniors leading the way, South Elgin is off to a 3-0 start and in position to reach the postseason for the first time in the program's four-year history.
The Storm showed its resiliency for the third straight game last week, rallying from a halftime deficit to knock off one of the UEC's perennial titans. Next up for South Elgin is another league stalwart in St. Charles East.
The Saints had little trouble with the Storm each of the past three years, winning those contests by a combined score of 115-29. But first-year East coach Mike Fields knows his team won't waltz to a win this year.
"South Elgin has a real nice offensive package throwing the ball," Fields said. "We just have to respect all facets of what they do. We're looking forward to the challenge."
Junior quarterback John Menken leads South Elgin's attack. He's thrown for 423 yards and six touchdowns this year.
Menken's top target is Jake Kumerow, who leads the area with 251 receiving yards. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound senior is averaging 19.3 yards per catch.
East's offense will provide a contrast to South Elgin's aerial assault. The Saints rely on a steady ground attack that is bolstered by an experienced offensive line.
Senior Matt Payne ran for three touchdowns last week as East pounded Streamwood 41-7 to deliver Fields his first win after a pair of losses against state-ranked opponents to start the year. Senior running back Cory Campbell, who led the Saints with 69 rushing yards last week, will likely miss tonight's game with a shoulder injury.
That won't change the Storm's approach according to South Elgin defensive coordinator Jason Schaal, who will look for improvement from his team after yielding 488 yards last week.
"(East's) strength from what we've seen is going to be up front and controlling the line of scrimmage and running the ball," Schaal said. "We're going to have step up.
"When we've needed a stop this year we always seem to get it, but giving up almost 500 yards last week is just too much."
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