It's Elgin-Larkin day - and there's still magic to it

It's Elgin-Larkin day.

To some around the area that might not mean a whole lot, but to those many who have some sort of tie to this game, be it present or past, the Elgin-Larkin football game is still something.

Sure, the crowd at Memorial Field may not number 5,000 as it once did, and I know there are still people who want this game moved back to Friday night, but in this world of "it is what it is", well, it is what it is.

And what it is is the single best rivalry in this area. As today's players take the field and see the Town Jug sitting on Larkin's sidelines, each of them will want to do their part in that Jug being placed in their school's trophy case, a reminder for the next 12 months that their school and their team won the big game. The seniors of the winning team will forever carry that memory -trust me, I know a lot who do.

Although the crowd has diminished, and there's not the Friday Night Lights atmosphere to the Elgin-Larkin game anymore, it's still got a feeling to it like no other high school rivalry I've been around.

Jacobs and Dundee-Crown have a great rivalry, one that has elevated in intensity on the boys basketball court more than anything over the past few years.

Burlington Central and Hampshire still have a rivalry, but while it pains me to admit it, it's not like it once was.

Cary-Grove and Crystal Lake South have become rivals, and their annual football meeting has had more meaning to it in terms of conference championships over the past few years.

Bartlett and Streamwood don't have the longevity yet, and South Elgin is still forming its rivalries.

Nope, none of the above rival Elgin-Larkin, especially in football.

It all began in 1962 with a JV game. In the 47 years since, there have been many memorable games, maybe the biggest one being Larkin's 21-20 playoff win in 1990.

There have been blowouts and there have been nail-biters. There has been jubilation and there have been tears. For the last seven years, and in 14 of the last 16 years, Larkin has walked off Memorial Field with the Jug. The Royals have won 30 of the 47 previous varsity meetings.

But one thing I learned a long time ago in this crosstown matchup is that you never, ever go to Memorial thinking you absolutely know who is going to win.

Kind of like today. Paper says Larkin will forge the first 8-game winning streak in the history of the series and take the Jug back to the West side.

But Elgin's players know that their slim playoff hopes ride on not losing another game, and they sure don't want to leave Memorial today knowing that Larkin ended their dream of playing postseason football. They would be much happier to carry the Jug down the hill, place it in their own trophy case, and know that they put Larkin's back against the wall in the hunt for a playoff berth.

There are always unique story lines that go with the Elgin-Larkin game and this year has its. Like Larkin's Jalen Williams and Elgin's Jordan Dean, their teams' respective top running backs, being cousins. And, of course, the student vs. teacher matchup between Larkin coach Matt Gehrig and Elgin coach Dave Bierman. Gehrig played for Bierman when Bierman was at Burlington Central and Gehrig's Royals got the best of Bierman's Maroons in the coach's first meeting against each other last year when the Royals eked out a 15-6 win.

You'll see people at Memorial Field for today's 11:30 a.m. kickoff who won't go to another game all season but who also wouldn't miss the Elgin-Larkin game if it were 20 below and snowing.

You'll see kids on the field today whose sole existence this week has been to get out there and go at it with that other side - kids in royal and blue who want to get the best of the maroon and cream, and vice versa.

It may not be what it once was, but it's still Elgin-Larkin.

And it's still electric. See ya there.

jradtke@dailyherald.com