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South Elgin and Batavia meet on football field for first time

By Jerry Fitzpatrick

jfitzpatrick@dailyherald.com

South Elgin (1-0) at Batavia (1-0) Nonconference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Batavia 36, Oswego 28; South Elgin 28, St. Charles East 6

Outlook: These teams have never met, though they've been members of the same conference since Batavia joined the Upstate Eight in 2010.

Technically, this isn't a conference game either. Four-time defending UEC River champion Batavia had an open date on its schedule and put out a call to any UEC Valley Division member willing to play. South Elgin volunteered.

"A lot of credit goes to their administration and football coach for stepping up and saying 'we'll play,' " Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron said "They are very competitive, they have an awful lot of skill and they have every expectation that they'll come into Batavia and knock us off. It'll be a great challenge." South Elgin has two good quarterbacks in senior Jake AmRhein and sophomore Nate Gomez. AmRhein got the bulk of playing time last week and completed 18 of 24 attempts for 222 yards and 3 scores. Wide receiver Derek Kumerow made 10 catches for 198 yards and a touchdown.

Tailback Shawn Griffin carried 18 times for 172 yards, including a 60-yard score. The Storm defense held St. Charles East to 205 total yards and 6 points. They will contend with Batavia quarterback Kyle Niemiec (21 of 34, 317 yards, 2 TD) and senior running back Zach Garrett, who carried 28 times for 123 yards and 3 touchdowns. "Our ability to put some pressure on them and put their quarterback into scramble mode is key," Storm coach Pat Pistorio said, "but his ability to find receivers and extend the play is a major concern for our secondary."

Next week: South Elgin at Lake Park; Batavia at Larkin

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