Scouting South Elgin at Bartlett

South Elgin (5-0, 3-0) at Bartlett (3-2, 1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Millennium Field

Last year: South Elgin 17, Bartlett 14

Last week: Bartlett 56, Lake Park 28; South Elgin 21, Neuqua Valley 14

Outlook: Get your parking spot early. The two District U-46 programs with the most supportive fan bases should turn out in droves as Bartlett tries to upset undefeated South Elgin on homecoming night for the Hawks. These schools split two previous meetings. Last year, South Elgin quarterback John Menken connected on a fade pattern to Domico Failla in the fourth quarter to complete a comeback from a 14-0 deficit. "It's turning into quite a rivalry," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "Half of Bartlett goes to South Elgin, so the kids know each other, obviously. It's a big test for us. They're ranked fifth in the state (in Class 8A) for a reason. Their quarterback is good, the running back (Brad) Birchfield is quick and fast, and they have a couple of receivers with the kind of height you can't coach. Their defensive end (Andre York) has a neck like an intertube, and their nose guard (Jake Randich) is tough. They've got a lot of weapons. They're the real deal. We'll have to do some sure tackling and play physical. They'll try to punch us in the mouth and we'll have to return the favor. Our kids will play hard. They're looking forward to it. We just can't turn the ball over." The Hawks have won two straight, partly because they indeed have taken care of the ball. Bartlett lost a game to Waubonsie Valley three weeks ago, 16-7, when it turned the ball over five times. But the Hawks committed only 1 turnover per game in victories over Batavia and Lake Park. "We've watched them on film the last few weeks and they've improved a ton," South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. "Tom's always got some big kids over there. He's got a big offensive line and they play real physical. Both their running backs (Andrew Puccini and Aaron Thabuteau) play downhill and do a nice job running the ball. You have to make sure you don't let (quarterback A.J. Bilyeu) wander out of the pocket. They run enough play action to lull you to sleep with the long ball. They keep you on your toes. They'll challenge you running the ball, and you can't fall asleep on play action." Birchfield is the area leader in points scored with 66, a combination of rushing, receiving and kickoff returns. South Elgin has the area's most productive offense, averaging 390.4 yards per game. Bartlett is third (343.2). The Hawks limit opponents to 276.6 yards per game; South Elgin 279.6. Menken has completed 30-of-63 attempts (47.6 percent) for 774 yards and 10 touchdowns (1 int.). Bilyeu has completed 58-of-91 attempts (63.7 percent) for 662 yards and 7 TDs (4 ints.).