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Wheaton, Glen Ellyn leaders wager flagpole space on football game

For the Wheaton Warrenville South Tigers, playing before a national audience should be all of the motivation needed in its matchup with Glenbard West. It allows them to show the country it was no fluke that the Tigers won back-to-back state titles.

But if they needed a bit more reason to take it to the Hilltoppers on Sunday, Aug. 28, perhaps the players could do it for civic pride.

Wheaton Mayor Mike Gresk has laid his city's flagpole on the line in a bet with Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Pfefferman. The losing team's hometown will fly the winner's school and municipal flags above city hall for a week.

The bet duplicates a wager made before the teams met in the 2009 Class 7A state championship game — a double-overtime, 31-24 thriller that the Tigers used as a springboard for its repeat title last year.

“Each of the schools has a long and storied tradition,” Gresk said. “It's a natural geographic rivalry between two towns that sit next to each other.”

That rivalry between schools separated by a 6½-mile drive began in 1916 and renews on ESPN2 this weekend. As part of the sports network's 2011 ESPN High School Kickoff, camera crews will be in Wheaton to broadcast the game at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at Red Grange Field, 1993 Tiger Trail.

The game has brought with it some lighthearted trash talk. On Wheaton City Councilwoman Jeanne Ives' blog, a countdown reminds everyone that there are “2 days until WWS beats Glenbard West.”

Meanwhile, Pfefferman says “the city's and the school's flag will be flying high at Wheaton city hall. I am confident we will win.”

Gresk notes that W-W stands for both Wheaton Warrenville and win-win.

Each side has every reason to be confident. The Tigers have won 26 straight games and the Hilltoppers have gone 35-4 the last three seasons. However, two of those losses were to Wheaton Warrenville South in games that ended the Glen Ellyn school's last two postseason campaigns.

The losses have rekindled a once-heated rivalry that has included angry fans on either side, forcing several suspensions of the series.

From 1988 to 2006, the teams met annually in the season opener. During that stretch, South held a 14-5 edge in the series during the regular season and won the teams' lone postseason matchup.

The Tigers bested the Hilltoppers in the 2009 state title game and again in 2010 when they met in the state quarterfinals.

After a five-year hiatus in the regular season series, the nastiness between fans has dissipated. But with both teams playing well, the rivalry is hot.

“Now it's more of a friendly, but intense rivalry,” Pfefferman said.

Gresk said he's happy to have the camera crews in town to showcase the region.

“It brings a lot of recognition to the sports programs and the quality of life here,” he said. “We look forward to having the national spotlight. This is an occasion to showcase Wheaton and the larger community of DuPage in general.”

Did either civic leader jump off his team's bandwagon when asked to make a prediction?

Not a chance.

Gresk said the Tigers will win a defensive battle, 17-6. Pfefferman said the Hilltoppers will get over the hump against the Tigers, 23-20.

“This is a challenge of titans,” Pfefferman said. “It's extremely good for the community.”

Glen Ellyn fans renew rivalry against Wheaton with nationally televised game

  Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Pfefferman, left, and Wheaton Mayor Mike Gresk have a bet on Sunday’s football game between Wheaton Warrenville South and Glenbard West high schools. The loser will fly the winning school’s and the other town’s flag over city hall for a week. PAUL MICHNA/pmichna@dailyherald.com
Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Pfefferman
Wheaton Mayor Mike Gresk
In 2009, Glen Ellyn leaders raised the Wheaton city flag and the orange and black of Wheaton Warrenville South on the flagpole at the village hall after the Tigers edged the Glenbard West Hilltoppers in the state championship game. The towns’ mayors have placed the same bet on Sunday’s nationally televised matchup. Daily Herald File Photo

Side by side: Glen Ellyn vs. Wheaton

Wheaton population: 54,611 (2006)

Wheaton Warrenville South High School: 2,321 students (2010)

School nickname: Tigers

School colors: Orange and black

Conference: DuPage Valley Conference

Famous alumni*: Astronomer Edwin Hubble, football legend Red Grange, journalist Bob Woodward, actor John Belushi, golfer Kevin Streelman

Fun fact: Seven state football titles is fifth-most in state history

* Note: South has gone through various name and location changes

Glen Ellyn population: 27,295 (2006)

Glenbard West High School: 2,206 students (2010)

School nickname: Hilltoppers

School colors: Forest green and white

Conference: West Suburban Conference

Famous alumni: Actor Sean Hayes, Indy car driver Bobby Rahal, Congressman Peter Roskam, former Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, former NFL defensive back Matt Bowen

Fun fact: Bill Duchon Field was used in the 1986 film “Lucas.”