Menken, South Elgin pick apart 4A champ Metamora
South Elgin quarterback John Menken didn't just play football Saturday. The senior savored every aspect of the game, on the field and off.
On the field, Menken threw for a school-record 315 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he scrambled for 145 yards and 2 more scores in a 49-26 victory over defending Class 4A champion Metamora. The Redbirds entered the game ranked No. 3 in Class 5A.
Off the field, Menken kept the already vocal student section fired up with fist pumps after touchdowns. He even coaxed a low-five out of a classmate whose job is to run up and down the track waving the school flag after scores.
South Elgin's signalcaller had reason to feel on top of the world. His team gained 513 total yards, is 2-0 and has scored 101 points in its first two games. Those 101 points in two contests are the most by a Dale Schabert-coached team since his Larkin Royals posted 107 points in Weeks 2 and 3 of the 1999 season.
"We're clicking right now," Menken said. "Last week we proved we can run the ball, and this week we wanted to come out and show we can definitely pass the ball, too. The line did a phenomenal job up front giving me all day to throw the ball. That was key because we had a lot of deep routes.
"It's a good team win. It feels awesome."
Metamora (1-1) struck for touchdowns on each of its first 3 possessions, thanks to big plays. Quarterback Michael Fay raced 44 yards to the end zone despite facing 3rd-and-31, he connected with senior David Tracy on a 45-yard scoring pass up the seam, and Bryan Love's 77-yard run set up a 1-yard plunge by Fay.
The Storm countered the Redbirds' first two scores with a 5-yard run by Brad Birchfield and an 81-yard run down the right sideline by Menken, sprung by a downfield block from Domico Failla.
The game turned in South Elgin's favor in the second quarter. Love, who had already rushed 10 times for 112 yards, left with a sprained ankle. And South Elgin's defense stiffened, partly due to a scheme adjustment.
"I thought (defensive coordinator) Jason Schaal did a great job with the adjustments from a 4-5 to a 5-3," Schabert said. "He made some adjustments on the fly and that's the fun of the game."
Metamora coach Pat Ryan didn't put much stock in the adjustment, saying "it wouldn't have mattered if they'd only had four (linemen) because the guys we weren't blocking were right there in front of us."
Trailing 19-14 with 9:13 left in the second quarter, South Elgin picked up momentum from an interception by middle linebacker Justin Wright at his own 41-yard line. Wright led the defense with 71/2 tackles.
The Storm offense then proceeded to reel off 35 unanswered points. The onslaught included a 65-yard touchdown pass from Menken to Kenny Lowden, a 45-yard scoring reception by Adolfo Pacheco after he slipped a tackle, a 68-yard touchdown catch and run by Birchfield, a 60-yard zigzag touchdown run by Menken and a 26-yard scoring strike to Failla.
Menken's touchdown throw to Failla not only ballooned South Elgin's lead to 49-19 with 8:46 left in the game, it vaulted Menken above the 300-yard passing plateau for the first time in 12 starts.
"He made some plays when we thought we had him a couple of times," Ryan said of Menken. "I think he's a little bit stronger than what he showed on film, but we've only seen him once and it's hard to tell.
"They've got a lot of speed and they're a well-coached, physical ballclub. We couldn't stop the big plays and we knew that was a key."
Jake Randich, who moved from defensive tackle to nose guard when Schaal switched schemes, finished with 6 tackles, each for a loss. He summed up the good feeling surrounding the team after two impressive victories to open the season.
"We feel unstoppable," Randich said. "Everything's just clicking. It's perfect."