Scouting Bartlett @ South Elgin
Bartlett (2-3, 1-2) at South Elgin (4-1, 1-1)
When Today at 7:30 p.m. at Millennium Field
Last met in 2006 Bartlett 48, South Elgin 7
Last week Bartlett 38, Streamwood 14; South Elgin 24, Lincoln-Way North 10
Outlook Each Upstate Eight Conference team enters this second-ever meeting fresh off important victories. Bartlett snapped a 3-game skid with a win over Streamwood at Millennium Field last Friday night. South Elgin enjoyed a victorious homecoming on the same field 15 hours later. The Storm can become playoff eligible for the first time in their four-year history with a win. South Elgin's defense, led by third-year middle linebacker Sean Kolber is holding teams to an average of 15.4 points per game. The offense, led by junior quarterback John Menken (47 of 96, 691 yards, 8 TDs, 8 Ints.), senior wide receiver Jake Kumerow (20 rec., 402 yds., 3 TDs) and junior running back Brad Birchfield (80 carries, 347 yds., 3 TDs) averages 22.2 points and 253 yards per game. "I'm impressed with them," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "They have a lot of good skill kids. Defensively, I'm impressed with (defensive end Andre) York coming off the edge, their middle linebacker (Kolber) and their corners are sure tacklers. People have to earn their touchdowns. Defensively, it might be a wet night, so we'll concentrate on trying to stop the run. We haven't had teams throw the ball deep on us all year, but this team will throw it deep with fades, deep crossers, flags and post, so it's going to be a challenge for our defensive backs." The Bartlett defense may move some personnel around to counter the height advantage of South Elgin's receiving corps. Bartlett's offense has gained 1,060 yards, 639 coming via the rush. Junior Aaron Thabuteau is the team's leading rusher with 359 yards and 2 touchdowns on 76 carries (4.7 avg.). Sophomore quarterback A.J. Bilyeu has completed 36-of-77 pass attempts for 421 yards and 5 TDs against 6 interceptions. "Offensively, they've still got some big kids," South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. "They like that power football and they'll run the ball in power sets. They run the ball well and they'll hit the timing passes. They run the screens, counter passes and boots and drag the tight end (Greg Partyka, 6-foot-3, 235 pounds). He's a big target and kind of sticks out a little bit."