Scouting Maine South at Stevenson

CLASS 8A

No. 4 Maine South Hawks (9-2) at No. 1 Stevenson Patriots (11-0)

When: 7 p.m., Saturday

Last week: In second round action, Maine South def. Bartlett, 36-12; Stevenson def. South Elgin, 10-7.

Playoff history: Maine South is making its 22nd playoff appearance in the last 23 years, dating back to 1988. Its lone miss during that stretch was in 1991. The Hawks have won the last two Class 8A state championships and have won four state titles in school history (1995, 2000, 2008 and 2009). They've also finished as the state runner-up three times since 2003. Last year, Maine South defeated Marist 41-17 for the state title…Stevenson is making its 22nd-straight playoff appearance. Last year, the Patriots, who finished as the Class 8A state runner-up in 2002, lost to Mt. Carmel in the second round, 23-16. In five playoff meetings, Maine South boasts a 5-0 record over Stevenson.

Coaches: David Inserra, Maine South; Bill McNamara, Stevenson

Just the facts: Maine South got off to a rocky start, losing its first two games of the season to Schaumburg (29-17) and to Wheaton Warrenville South (44-7), a game that was televised nationally on ESPNU. But the Hawks then got on a roll and won the Central Suburban South with a perfect 5-0 league record. They are averaging 40.6 points per game while allowing just 14.8 points per game with three shutouts…Stevenson won its second straight North Suburban Lake Division champinship. The Patriots are scoring 32.9 points and are allowing 12.1 points per game.

Maine South leaders: Rushing: Paul Preston (86 carries, 951 yards, 16 touchdowns); Passing: Matt Alviti (126-of-184, 2,493 yards, 22 touchdowns, 6 interceptions); Receiving: Scott Derrick (38 receptions, 773 yards, 11 touchdowns). Last week against Bartlett, Alviti completed 18 of 24 passes for 352 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Stevenson leaders: Rushing: Joe Cassata (156 carries, 1,225 yards, 19 touchdowns), Nathan Kahn (100 carries, 420 yards, 7 touchdowns); Passing: Kevin Earl (96-of-178, 1,546 yards, 12 touchdowns, 5 interceptions); Receiving: Steve Salata (44 receptions, 766 yards, 8 touchdowns), Anthony Bozin (13 receptions, 181 yards, 1 touchdown); Tackles: Brion Wood, Carl Miller. Last week against South Elgin, Earl completed 15-of-25 passes for 223 yards.

Line on Maine South: Maine South operates under the “if it ain't broke, don't fix it,” school of logic. The Hawks have been known for their prolific passing attacks for years now and this year is no exception. As Maine South chases its third straight Class 8A state championship and its fifth overall, quarterback Matt Alviti has rolled up the yardage. Just a sophomore, he's racked up nearly 2,500 passing yards and has thrown for 22 touchdowns. “We've got such a great tradition with our program overall and with our offense,” Maine South coach David Inserra said. “Kids in Park Ridge grow up wanting to be the next Maine South starting quarterback. They practice and they work and we end up getting a lot of talented kids who can throw the ball.” The Hawks often have more than they know what to do with. Inserra used a two-quarterback rotation at the beginning of the year but the two losses to start the season prompted him to revisit that strategy. That's when Alviti got the call to fly solo. “We're known for our throwing. It's (no secret). But I think to defend that as much as we do it is different for most high school defenses,” Inserra said. “I think that's an advantage for us.”

Line on Stevenson: Stevenson earned a hard-fought three-point victory over South Elgin last week in a game that illustrated one of the Patriots' biggest strengths. Versatility. Quarterback Kevin Earl threw for 223 yards, running back Joe Cassata ran for Stevenson's only touchdown and kicker Matt Micucci accounted for the decisive points with a 28-yard field goal. “Stevenson is very balanced,” Maine South coach David Inserra said. “In the past, I think they've been more of a run team and now they've got a little bit of everything going. They've got a good passing game with quick receivers, they can still run well and they've got a great kicker. Defensively, they don't give up many points. They're 11-0 for a reason.”