Stars another tough test for Storm

South Elgin players Nathan Reichold (51) and John Menken (center) and coach Dale Schabert look to clinch a playoff berth tonight against St. Charles North. michael smart | staff photographer

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South Elgin hasn't had any breaks in the schedule this season, and this week will be no different.

The Storm hosts St. Charles North tonight at Millennium Field in yet another stern test for coach Dale Schabert's up-and-coming program.

Going into Week 8, seven of South Elgin's nine 2009 opponents own winning records, and four -- including the North Stars -- are 6-1.

Despite the challenging slate, South Elgin is 5-2 and appears bound for the postseason for the first time in program history. The Storm can clinch a trip to the playoffs by claiming its sixth win tonight, but a whopping 41 playoff points virtually guarantees South Elgin will qualify even if it loses its final two games.

"We've had a very competitive schedule and I think the kids have done a great job battling through," Schabert said. "Our two losses have been by a total of 12 points, so we've been in all the games.

"This is going to be another tough one for us. North is battling to be (Upstate Eight) conference champs and this is the best team we've faced."

The North Stars secured their eighth straight trip to the playoffs with last week's 31-5 win against Neuqua Valley. Coach Mark Gould's squad is also one game behind Lake Park and St. Charles East in the UEC standings with a showdown with the rival Saints looming in Week 9.

"The work is kind of cut out for us in the conference race, but if we can take care of business the next two weeks that would take care of a big part of it," Gould said. "Then you just hope that maybe Lake Park has an issue."

Similarities between the Stars and Storm abound on both sides of the ball.

Both teams are led on offense by versatile junior quarterbacks. South Elgin's John Menken has thrown for 915 yards and 10 touchdowns this year while North's Jake Bergren has 641 passing yards and a team-best 309 rushing yards.

Tonight's game will also feature the area's top two receivers in South Elgin senior Jake Kumerow and North senior Jeffrey Stolzenburg.

Stolzenburg, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 175 points, is second in the area with 22 catches for 380 yards and five touchdowns despite not making a reception last week.

Kumerow's numbers are even better. The 6-4, 185-pounder has an area-best 27 catches for 556 yards and five touchdowns.

"Jake is a good-sized receiver, he's a very athletic kid and he's very competitive," Schabert said. "He does a great job stalk blocking, he runs his routes well and he's athletic enough to go up and fight for the ball. Everybody wants a kid like that."

South Elgin will be trying to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this year after sustaining a 20-15 defeat at Lake Park last week. The Storm is also in search of its first win in four tries against North.

Senior linebacker Sean Kolber leads a scrappy South Elgin defense that is holding opponents to 15.9 points per game.

The North Stars normally start 11 seniors on defense, with linebacker Ben Dvorak leading the way. North has allowed more than 13 points only once this year and has been especially stingy against the run. The Stars surrendered only three rushing yards in last week's win.

"They are all really aggressive kids, and that goes all the way from free safety to our nose guard," Gould said. "When they play aggressive, good things tend to happen."