Elgin, Larkin renew rivalry

Larkin running back Jalen Williams and the Royals face Elgin on Saturday in the Town Jug game.
(Andrew A. Nelles/For The Courier-News)

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Larkin can take its dominance of crosstown rival Elgin to a new level in this year's Town Jug game.

The Royals come into Saturday's contest at Memorial Field with seven straight wins against the Maroons. Larkin also won seven straight times from 1993-99, but at no point in the 47-year history of the series has the Town Jug stayed on the same side of the Fox River for eight years in a row.

Larkin leads the all-time varsity series 29-17, but rest assured that Elgin is focused on narrowing that gap.

"I'm pretty sure (the streak) is in everybody's mind," Elgin middle linebacker Cory Michalik said. "It's been awhile since we got one."

The Royals won 15-6 in a defensive slugfest last year, marking an end to the run of offensive shootouts that had defined the series the previous three seasons. If the first five weeks of the 2009 campaign are any indicator, defense could rule again this year.

Despite its 1-4 record, Elgin and its multiple-formation defense hadn't allowed more than 28 points prior to last week's 34-6 Upstate Eight Conference loss to Lake Park. Meanwhile, Larkin's defense is allowing 16.2 points and 211.8 yards per game.

"Our defense has been really solid this year," Larkin linebacker Alex Wahl said. "Teams really don't score unless they get the ball in the red zone on a turnover or something. They really don't drive on us."

While defense will be the focus for both teams, the area's two most prolific running backs will certainly provide each team with a tough task.

Elgin junior Jordan Dean is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and has eight of the Maroons' 10 touchdowns. His 528 rushing yards and 88 carries are second in the area to only Larkin senior Jalen Williams.

Williams was held to a season-low 48 yards in a 20-7 loss at St. Charles North last week, but he still is by far the area rushing leader with 822 yards on 133 carries. He also leads the area in scoring with 10 rushing TDs.

Considering that 65.8 percent of Larkin's plays from scrimmage this year have been handoffs to Williams, the Maroons know where to focus their attention.

"You've got to control (Williams) the best you can," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. "You've got to let 5-yard plays be 5-yard plays and not 65-yard plays. We can't afford to let him get loose on us, but he's a good one and that's what good ones do."

While the Royals are unapologetic about their run-first mentality, Bierman would like to see the Maroons have more success with their passing game in order create room for a formidable ground attack.

Senior starting quarterback Ryan Parks and junior Jake Meyer have combined to complete only 27 of 91 passes this year -- a 29.7 completion percentage.

Elgin must win its final five games to avoid its eighth straight losing season. The outlook is brighter at Larkin, which is two wins away from becoming playoff eligible for the first time since 2006.

Saturday's game marks the first of three straight contests for the Royals against teams that currently have 1-4 records or worse. Larkin also plays all four of its remaining regular-season games at Memorial Field.

"This is a rivalry game, and the fact is that all football teams -- no matter what level you're at -- are going to play their hardest during rival week because there is more emotional involvement," Larkin coach Matt Gehrig said. "It is more personal, especially in our case with it being the east side of town against the west side of town."