Scouting South Elgin @ Lake Park

South Elgin (5-1, 2-1) at Lake Park (5-1, 4-0)

When Today at 7:30 p.m.

Last met in 2006 Lake Park 30, South Elgin 0

Last week: South Elgin 17, Bartlett 14; Lake Park 28, East Aurora 0

Outlook South Elgin coach Dale Schabert has appreciated his team's ability to roar back from 14-0 deficits on three occasions this season, including last week in a 17-14 victory over Bartlett, but it wouldn't bother him if the Storm played with the lead for a change. "We've been pounding it into the kids all week long that we have to get out of the gate quicker," Schabert said. "It would be good to get ahead of somebody one time and see how they play. We can't act like last week and take a half off before we figure it out in the second half. We need a quick start this week and get after it right away." Last week the UEC co-leading Lancers led East Aurora 6-0 going into the fourth quarter but pulled away with 22 fourth-quarter points. Running back Artie Monaco (111 yards, 2 TDs vs. EA) leads a trio of capable rushers. South Elgin's opportunistic defense allowed 228 yards rushing to Bartlett last week, but the Storm won the turnover battle 3-0. Each team boasts a 5-1 record, but the Storm had a tougher road. South Elgin's 6 opponents own a combined record of 22-14; Lake Park's 6 opponents are 12-24. South Elgin can guarantee its first playoff berth with a win, but the Storm are likely already in. They have the sixth-most playoff points (34) of any school in Class 7A.