Surging Saxons spurred by synergy

A perfect slogan for what's happening with Schaumburg football right now would be "Saxon Synergy."

Synergy has been a word Schaumburg players have used throughout this season.

And the Saxons' run to their first quarterfinal appearance since 1999 goes right along with the dictionary definition of synergy, which is the combined action of two or more substances or agencies to achieve an effect greater than that of what each is individually capable.

"Everyone has synergy together that's perfect," Schaumburg senior linebacker and third-year starter Alex Coglianese said after Saturday's 55-21 second-round Class 8A win over Warren. "Before the game started I was talking to the defense and I said, 'We all have to be accountable for the person next to you.'"

That selfless approach has led Schaumburg to upsets of Glenbrook South and Warren. Their only regular-season losses were to Maine South.

"It's confidence," said Schaumburg senior linebacker Jordan Hailey. "Doing it for the person next to you is the biggest thing.

"Everyone is playing their butts off and we aren't satisfied."

Hailey is a mirror image of the Saxons' resurgence. Early in the season Hailey, who suffers from severe asthma, wasn't the factor he is now.

"We were sure this kid could be a player for us," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. "He's playing his best football now.

"You talk about kids playing their best football at the right times, and he's not just a player, he's a difference-maker."

The Saxons have plenty of them all over the field going into Saturday's 5 p.m. home game with unbeaten Bartlett.

The offense led by quarterback Anthony Iannotti, running back Shepard Little and wide receiver Josh Spandiary tied 8A playoff game records against Warren for total yards (641 by Maine South in the 2003 semifinals) and touchdowns (8 by Wheaton Warrenville South in 2005).

The combined 1,008 yards total offense with Warren surpassed the 8A mark of 936 by Hinsdale Central and Naperville North in 2001. Schaumburg also came up just a point short of the 8A playoff record of 56 by Maine South in 2003.

"We finally broke out and did what we do," Spandiary said. "We just had to execute."

Spandiary set the tone for the wild offensive show with a 42-yard catch from Iannotti on the game's first play. He caught 5 passes for 137 yards.

"One of the great things about the offensive coaches and players is they pay incredible attention to detail," Stilling said of his team that had scored 61 points in its previous 3 games. "I'll go in and talk to (offensive coordinator Mark) Steger and he'll get mad about 20 things.

"I felt we were ready to break out again. 'Spandy' had a tough game and tough week last week but that kid is as tough as they come."

The Saxons hope to keep proving they're a tougher out in the postseason than most people would expect. They'll gladly keep their current role as long as it's successful.

"I don't mind being the underdog to everybody," Coglianese said with a smile. "I like it."

Clicks to pick: Barrington had never won a playoff game in its history when it scored less than 14 points before Saturday night's 7-2 second-round 8A win at New Trier.

But tying the single-game school record for interceptions with five - including 2 by linebacker Jason Bromm and another by Cam Good - kept the Broncos going into Saturday's 6 p.m. visit by unbeaten Maine South.

"It was amazing, by far one of the greatest defensive efforts I've ever witnessed," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "If you had told me we'd hold them to no points (defensively) and we scored once and won the game I'd have told you were crazy."

Barrington exceeded the 4 interceptions it had in the 2006 second round against Maine South. Lincoln-Way East holds the 8A single-game interception record with six in 2004 and Fremd had five against Palatine in this year's first round.

"It was crazy, every time I looked up New Trier was down inside our 20," Sanchez said. "It was a just a great effort and we found another way to survive."

Now the Broncos get their ultimate defensive test against Maine South and Vanderbilt-bound quarterback Charlie Goro, who was playing receiver in the matchup two years ago.

"I think we're going to need to score some points," Sanchez said with a laugh.

Hanging tough to the end: Fremd wasn't deterred even as it became clear it wasn't going to be able to beat the clock and Bartlett in Friday's second-round game.

Fremd didn't just mail in the final 49 seconds of a 21-7 loss as seniors Mike Tauchman and Andrew Corso hooked up two final times for 32 yards.

"We weren't going to go away, Fremd Vikings don't go away," Corso said. "We were going down to the last play. Everyone was playing full throttle."

Fremd didn't have the luxury of putting on a full-court press in basketball or no time limit in baseball.

"The second half we came out and we fought," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci of a 14-0 deficit at intermission. "If we get the ball at the end we can score. The only problem is we had to score twice."

Wide-ranging effects: Schaumburg basketball coach was missing a few familiar faces - including Anthony Iannotti, Josh Spandiary, Perrish Bell and Richard Barnes - when practiced started Monday. Offensive lineman Craig Cruz is among those whose wrestling preseason is on hold.

It's also a first-time crossover of seasons for Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling, whose wife Jami is the girls gymnastics coach and started practice Monday.

"I'm thinking it will be a little crazy," Mark Stilling said of juggling schedules that include their first child born last winter.