Scouting Schaumburg at Elk Grove

CLASS 7A

No. 9 Schaumburg (7-2) at No. 8 Elk Grove (7-2)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday at Robert Haskell Stadium

Last week: Schaumburg d. Hoffman Estates 54-14; Elk Grove d. Rolling Meadows 35-21

Playoff history: Schaumburg is making its 13th appearance finishing second in 6A in 1999 and third straight under Mark Stilling. The Saxons lost 41-14 to Marist in the 8A first round last year. Elk Grove is making its 10th appearance and second straight under Brian Doll. They lost 20-14 to St. Charles North in the 7A second round last year.

Matchup history: Elk Grove won 36-34 in a Week 4 MSL crossover. Schaumburg leads the series 19-15.

Outlook: Schaumburg's drop into 7A set up one of the best first-round matchups and a rematch of one of the best games of the year in the Mid-Suburban League. Elk Grove features QB-S Nick Meyer (2,980 total yards, 37 TDs) and his receiving crew of Joey Bishoff (48 rec., 629 yards, 4 TDs), Mike Wary (31-478, 6 TDs), Eddie Solorio (38-503, 6 TDs), Eddie Stahl (30-351, 2 TDs) and Fernando Lozano against Schaumburg's defense led by DT Joe Zolper and safeties Bob Quilico and Johnny Kirk. Schaumburg features RB Shepard Little (1,579 yards, 19 TDs) and QB Mark Iannotti (71 pct. completions, 1,184 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INT; 645 yards rushing, 8 TDs). “We both have some known quantities in terms of game-breakers,” said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. “But a lot will be determined Saturday night by the role players.” For the Saxons, that means staying with their roles, particularly on defense against Meyer, who had 368 total yards in the first meeting. They were also hurt by 3 turnovers in a game where Little saw limited second-half action with a hip injury and was stopped on a tying 2-point conversion try. But Elk Grove's defense led by Meyer, Bishoff and LB John Eliades will have challenges beyond the Saxons' dynamic duo. “Their offense has expanded quite a bit and we're seeing some new faces and names,” said Elk Grove coach Brian Doll. “For us there is still a lot of focus on Little and Iannotti, but (Brandon) Kibby has been sneaking up on people and he adds another dynamic to their offense.” Both coaches said their teams are as healthy as they've been and Schaumburg has OT Kyle Pollock and FB Josh Rofrano back in the mix.

Advancement: Schaumburg would be at home and Elk Grove would be on the road in the second round against No. 1 Simeon (9-0) or No. 16 St. Ignatius (5-4).