Storm's Reisner kicker on the rise

There's an unsung hero behind South Elgin's 5-0 record, and his name is David Reisner.

The junior kicker, now in his third varsity season, rarely gives opposing kick returners a chance. Reisner has booted 33 of his 38 kickoffs for touchbacks.

"It's pretty tough to go 80 yards all the time, but that's what happens to other teams because he's putting it in the end zone," Storm coach Dale Schabert said. "Several teams have outstanding kick returners. If you don't put the ball in their hands, that's quite an advantage."

Reisner has nailed 27 of 28 extra points and 3 of 5 field goal attempts. In Friday's 21-14 victory over Neuqua Valley, he connected for field goals of 36 and 39 yards.

He is also the punter for the Storm.

Reisner grew up playing soccer for the Bartlett Hawks travel team, but things changed when he was in seventh grade. He traveled to Dallas for a tutorial from Chris Boniol, who kicked in the NFL for Dallas and Philadelphia and spent the 1999 season with the Chicago Bears. Reisner has been a football kicker ever since.

Not surprisingly, four Big Ten schools have already sent him letters expressing interest.

"I just hope it gets me to college so I can start a career," Reisner said. "Depending on how well I do in college with kicking, maybe I can go professional."