St. Charles clash carries playoff implications

St. Charles North (5-2, 2-2) at St. Charles East (3-4, 3-2)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: St. Charles North 38, Streamwood 6; St. Charles East 48, Larkin 0

Last year: St. Charles North 48, St. Charles East 0

Outlook: Pride is a motivator in this crosstown clash, and so is avoiding playoff elimination. St. Charles East has to win against the North Stars and take care of business next week against East Aurora to become playoff eligible. "Not only are we pushed against the wall and have to win it, but it's a game the kids are always going to remember," East coach Bryce Farquhar said. "We've preached to the kids that there's not much separating us. They lost to Geneva by 1 (point), we lost to Geneva by 1. And against Batavia our point differential was similar. What separates us is that we played two really good teams the first two weeks of the season, South Elgin (6-1) and Jacobs (5-2)." The North Stars can clinch their second straight playoff berth with a victory, but they still have some wiggle room with winless Elgin ahead in Week 9. The North Stars are tasked with stopping East's triple-option offense. In their first 4 games using the new scheme, the Saints scored 54 points. In their last 3 games, they've scored 118 points, including 26 against Geneva. Cam Canales is East's leading rusher with 82 carries for 590 yards and 6 touchdowns. "We have to be disciplined and we have to know our responsibilities and you have to count on the guys to your right and to your left to know their responsibilities," North coach Rob Pomazak said. "I love it because in Week 8 we're talking a lot about playing as a team, so the fact that we're facing an offense that forces you to play as a team is really exciting."

Next week: Elgin (0-7) at St. Charles North; St. Charles East at East Aurora (1-6)