Storm, Hawks meeting for first time

South Elgin's Jake Kumerow tries to elude the tackle of Lincoln-Way North's Mike Taylor during action last Saturday. The Storm takes on Bartlett tonight at Millennium Field and can become playoff eligible with a victory.
(Andrew A. Nelles/For The Courier-News)

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A big crowd is expected at Millennium Field tonight when neighbors Bartlett and South Elgin square off on the gridiron for the first time.

With a school-record four wins in tow, the Storm can become playoff eligible for the first time with a victory. Meanwhile, a victory for the Hawks would boost the chances of a 10th straight trip to the playoffs for Bartlett.

While those details are important, bragging rights will be the most important thing on the line for the participants, many of whom played football together at the youth level while growing up.

"The kids are going to be excited on both teams," South Elgin defensive coordinator Jason Schaal said. "It's going to be a huge crowd, it's going to be a ton of fun and it's going to be a great atmosphere. I think you'll see the birth of a pretty strong rivalry."

Both teams are coming off wins last week as Bartlett snapped a three-game losing streak with a 38-14 victory against Streamwood and South Elgin earned a 24-10 triumph against Lincoln-Way North.

In what could make for a high-scoring affair, the offensive strengths of both teams line up with the relative weaknesses of the two defenses.

The Storm touts a balanced offensive attack, but it is the passing game that is a concern for the Hawks.

South Elgin senior Jake Kumerow holds a healthy lead among area receiving leaders with 21 catches for 439 yards, which is good for an average of 20.9 yards per reception. Junior quarterback John Menken is tied for the area lead in passing yards with 699.

"We haven't been challenged deep much this year at all, so that's a big key," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "(South Elgin) has been playing pretty good, error-free football."

A major key to the Storm's success has been a defense that bends but doesn't break. South Elgin is yielding 340.6 yards per game but only 15.4 points per contest.

The Storm has been susceptible against the run and is allowing opponents 5.4 rushing yards per carry. That could play into Bartlett's hands as the Hawks prefer to rely on a punishing ground attack led by junior Aaron Thabuteau, who has 359 yards on 76 carries.

"Bartlett has some excellent athletes on both sides of the ball," Schaal said. "Their ground game is big and we're going to have to step up to the task of stopping the run."

Both Meaney and Schaal said they think turnovers will play a critical role in tonight's outcome considering that rain is in the forecast. Bartlett has 12 turnovers this season, which is good for an average of more than two per game.

Even if the Hawks can hold onto the ball, Meaney knows finding the end zone won't be easy against a South Elgin defense led by senior linebacker Sean Kolber.

"People don't get big yardage against them," Meaney said. "Everybody has to earn their touchdowns and it seems like if they do score it takes 10 or 12 plays."

South Elgin already has wins against Marmion and Vernon Hills, both of which own 4-1 records. The Storm also notched an impressive road win at Neuqua Valley, but picking up a victory against a team with the track record of Bartlett would mark yet another high point in a season filled with ground-breaking moments.

"We're very happy with the way everything has gone so far," Schaal said. "We have four tough games against four quality opponents left, and our focus is one more (win). We need to get one more to be playoff eligible.

"If it happens (tonight), great. If it doesn't go our way, we still have that ultimate goal in sight to be the first team to make the playoffs."