Scouting Neuqua Valley at South Elgin
Neuqua Valley (3-1, 1-0) at South Elgin (4-0, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Millennium Field
Last year: South Elgin 28, Neuqua Valley 26
Last week: South Elgin 48, Metea Valley 13; Neuqua Valley 43, East Aurora 0
Outlook: The Storm won the first meeting between these teams last season and enter their homecoming ranked No. 5 in Class 8A, up from No. 9 last week. Neuqua Valley dropped its season opener to Naperville North, 29-28, but has since reeled off three straight wins against Naperville Central, St. Charles North and East Aurora to match last year's win total. The South Elgin defense has allowed only 51 points; Neuqua Valley has allowed just 59. Both defenses like to hit. "It's going to be a tough, physical football game," South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. "They're physical and we're pretty physical, too. We're looking forward to it. I think it's going to be one of the better games in the area. This is a big matchup for both of us." South Elgin's already explosive offense gets a boost this week from the return of senior receiver Kenny Lowden (6-foot-5). He was sidelined for two games due to illness. The Storm can attack defense in multiple ways. Running backs Adolfo Pacheco (23 carries, 311 yards, 2 TD) and Brad Birchfield (51-284-6) lead the ground attack. In three games, senior quarterback John Menken has completed 21-of-42 passes for 539 yards and 5 touchdowns. His top targets have been Pacheco (12 rec., 243 yards, 3 TD), Lowden (6-174-2) and Domico Failla (4-93-3). Senior running back Trent Snyder (5-9, 170) averages 178 yards per game for the Wildcats. "That kid's pretty good on film," Schabert said. "They run the ball really well. They do a great job run blocking and they've got some nice-looking kids at wideout. If you're not in the right place, you're going to give up the big play. We think we've got an offense like that, too, that can do a lot of different things and strike quickly. Their three down linemen and linebackers only know one speed and that's moving forward at 100 mph. They play like the field's downhill. It's a good challenge. Our (offensive) linemen are excited about the opportunity. There's no fear. They want to play this game and see where they stand."