Reisner's OT field goal seals playoffs for South Elgin
South Elgin's David Reisner missed one game-winning field goal Friday night.
He wasn't going to miss a second opportunity.
Reisner, a sophomore, made a 27-yard field goal in overtime to beat St. Charles North, 10-7, at Millennium Field and clinch the Storm's first playoff appearance.
"Made one when it counted. That's all that matters," Reisner said.
The Storm (6-2, 3-2) entered Friday's game with five wins and 41 playoff points, which was probably good enough to qualify for the playoffs. The victory ends any suspense. But the win didn't come without nervousness.
After a scoreless first half, North (6-2, 4-2) took its first possession of the third quarter 71 yards on 6 plays, all on the ground, for a touchdown. Dirk Schmitt, who rushed for 127 yards, had 42 yards on the drive, including a 4-yard touchdown run.
The North Stars, who already clinched their eighth consecutive playoff berth, was unable to score on a first-and-goal opportunity early in the fourth quarter, eventually missing a field goal. The Storm capitalized two plays later as John Menken hit Domico Failla for an 80-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 6:58 remaining.
"They can make the big play at any time and that was what I was worried about," North coach Mark Gould said. "I thought our defense played great...except for one big play."
The teams traded punts on the next three possessions. South Elgin got the ball on its own 48 with 1:24 left. Menken hit Bradley Birchfield for a 15-yard gain to the North Stars' 20 with 11 seconds left. The Storm had no timeouts left so they went for a 38-yard field goal attempt. Reisner missed wide right, sending the game into overtime.
North (6-2, 4-2) got the ball first in overtime. Schmitt carried the ball for 3 yards on the North Stars first play. After a 2-yard loss on second down, Jake Bergren was sacked by Andre York and George Bedford back to 13-yard line, forcing North into a field-goal attempt.
"We knew that we had to make a stop somehow," South Elgin senior linebacker Sean Kobler said. "With George Bedford making a play at the end, sacking the quarterback, was huge for us."
Without hesitation, Storm coach Dale Schabert sent Reisner onto the field. The North Stars called timeout trying to freeze Reisner. It didn't work as Reisner made the field goal, beginning a massive celebration, including Reisner being tackled by most of the team.
"It's great that you're in field-goal range if you stop them," Storm coach Dale Schabert said. "If you have a field-goal kicker and get a stop, it's pretty easy with the ball at the 10."
"After missing the other one, you have to come back and keep your head up," Reisner said. "I went back to the net and go through what you have to go through. And then get the job done."