South Elgin has easy time with East Aurora
South Elgin scored early, quickly, and often Friday night at East Aurora, rolling to a 52-8 win in a game between teams at opposite ends of the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division.
The Storm was coming off a tough defeat to Bartlett a week ago, and determined to put that one, their only loss of the season, behind them.
“We were very disappointed after last week, South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. “That was a wake up call for us, but we had a good week in practice, and we were ready tonight.
The Storm (6-1, 4-1) showed just how ready they were right from the opening kickoff, which Bradley Birchfield returned 76 yards for a touchdown.
“It was good to make an opening statement like that, Birchfield said. “After last week's game, that was a nice bounce-back play for us to start this game.
Birchfield broke through the middle, then cut right and left the Tomcats in his wake.
“I didn't see it immediately, the South Elgin senior said. “Then I remembered where our wall was supposed to be.
When the Storm got the ball back, quarterback John Menken mounted a quick, 55-yard drive that was capped by a 9-yard touchdown run by Birchfield.
“We had to keep executing plays, running the ball, and working hard, said Birchfield, who had 172 total yards on the night.
With 7:22 remaining in the first quarter, South Elgin was up 14-0, and it was just getting started.
After East Aurora went four and out on its next possession, Zachary Gross received the Tomcats' punt and returned it 45 yards for the Storm's third touchdown. Less than two minutes later, Birchfield scored his third touchdown, as he broke through the middle and sprinted 51 yards.
The Storm completed its first quarter blowout with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Menken to Kenny Lowden. The 35-0 lead gave Schabert the opportunity to begin getting other players into the game early.
“We got the chance to see some different things tonight, and we were able to give a lot of kids some quality minutes on the field, Schabert said.
David Reisner easily made a 31-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, extending South Elgin's lead to 38-0.
On its next possession, the Storm overcame a holding penalty as Gross, now playing quarterback, connected with Tommy Asa on a 20-yard touchdown pass.
The South Elgin defense got into the scoring when East Aurora muffed a shotgun snap on its next possession, and Derek Hurschman grabbed the ball in the end zone.
“(Hurschman) has been out, and this was his first game back, Schabert said. “It was nice to see him make that play and contribute right away.
East Aurora (0-7) mounted its only scoring drive of the game in the final minute of the first half, as junior quarterback Laquan Brown led the way with runs of 27 and 17 yards, before hitting Kenny Moore on a 15-yard touchdown pass.
“You have to give East Aurora a lot of credit, Schabert said. “I know the last few years have been difficult for them, but they played hard and carried themselves like gentlemen.