Scouting Lake Park at St. Charles East

Lake Park (1-5) at St. Charles East (1-5)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Did not play.

Last week: Lake Park 42, East Aurora 0; St. Charles East 45, Streamwood 14.

Outlook: St. Charles East tailback Mike Brown came marching in to the tune of 241 yards and 4 touchdowns on a whopping 36 carries to lead the Saints to their first win of the season. Coach Mike Fields hopes it translates to a couple more. "I'm happy for all the boys but especially the seniors," he said. "Hopefully it'll be motivation for them over the next couple weeks." Neither of tonight's Upstate Eight Conference crossover foes returned a wealth of experience, as Lake Park is led by sophomores at quarterback (Zach Gehant), tailback (Ronnie Castaldo) and receiver (Kevin Teglia) though quality senior lineman Nick Borre returns from a concussion that kept him out the last two weeks. The Lancers, led by coach Andy Livingston in his 17th and final season, earned their first win as well, but against hapless East Aurora. To get Brown some more space, Fields put some beef on the offensive line and used a double-tight set with Kevin Russell and Andrew Carrano holding the perimeter. Russell also caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Jake Mazanke. Defensive back Tim Leibforth led the Saints in tackles with 8 and also recovered an onside kick early in the game that swung all the momentum the Saints' way. Momentum and plain old confidence are important for St. Charles East as well as for Lake Park, as mistakes have stifled both teams this season. The team that makes the fewer mistakes should win this one. Or, to paraphrase Fields, whomever keeps its edge. "(The key is to) continue to finish, and finish with some pride," he said. "Our whole motto here is Saints pride."

Next week: Metea Valley (1-5, 1-3) at Lake Park, Oct. 15; Elgin (4-2, 3-1) at St. Charles East, Oct. 15.