Playoff preview: Palatine vs. Fremd

Crosstown collision

Class 8A football playoff

Palatine at Fremd, 7 p.m. today

There has never been a meeting quite like this one on the football field between Palatine and Fremd.

There have been games with high stakes between the schools separated by just two miles. It's a matchup that almost always brings out the best in intensity and electricity.

But at 7 p.m. today at Fremd it will be a game unlike any other. For the first time since 1967 the Pirates and Vikings are facing off in the playoffs.

"It's going to be a great atmosphere," said Fremd senior quarterback Mike Tauchman.

"Coach (Tyler Donnelly) always tells me he doesn't want me to get too pumped up or hyped up," said Palatine senior quarterback Matt Rossi. "It's pretty hard not to get too excited about this game."

Tauchman and Rossi have known each other since they were 8 years old. They are just two of the many playing tonight who grew up competing with and against each other.

Rossi and Tauchman played on the same baseball team with Fremd linebacker Jon Diegel, wide receiver Andrew Corso and defensive back Chris Doloughty.

"There were 12 kids and only two of us were going to Palatine," Rossi said. "All the Fremd kids wanted us to go to Fremd.

"They all thought Palatine would be so bad in football and other sports but obviously that's changed."

Three weeks ago Palatine ended a 7-game losing streak to Fremd with a dramatic 28-21 win on a last-minute goal-line stand.

"Our kids have got to bow up," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "They've got the target on their back. Let them wear it for a little bit."

Fremd wants that target back after tonight.

"We always used to talk about it, not trash talk, but we'd definitely give our opinions of what school was better and we still kind of do," Tauchman said. "It's never mean, though. I see a lot of those guys and it's a friendly rivalry, but no one wants to lose.

"You definitely want to walk around town knowing you beat the other school."

­- Marty Maciaszek