Gene Chamberlain’s football notes: St. Charles North’s offense faces test

St. Charles North is about to find out exactly how far its offense has progressed.

A road game at Rolling Meadows (7-2) Saturday (6:30 p.m.) in the Class 7A playoffs is likely to test a North Stars attack that has averaged 45.7 points during a four-game winning streak.

“Our offensive coaches have done a great job fitting pieces in we’ve needed to after we had some key injuries early,” said Pomazak, who is in his second season. “We had to switch quarterbacks and after that we’ve become more potent.”

The offensive improvement came against teams with a combined 8-28 record, so the playoffs represent a big step up.

Senior Nathan Didier became starting quarterback in midseason and junior QB Kyle Novotney moved to slot receiver. It benefited North in several ways. Didier completed 45-of-67 for 607 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions the final four games, while Novotney became the team’s leading pass catcher with 17 receptions, 245 yards and three touchdowns all over the final five games. Didier also is a threat in the read-option with 252 yards.

“We started stretching the defenses horizontally and vertically and it gave us a chance,” Pomazak said.

It didn’t hurt that running back Dom Sidari returned from a back injury, and that sophomore Eric Lins, playing up, began producing at a high level.

“We’d been using wide receivers and other kids who’d never played running back in their careers when Dom was hurt,” Pomazak said.

The defense, led by defensive end Jordan Bergren and linebackers Brendan McCarthy and Carson Schmitt continued producing at a dominant level.

While North plays a Mid-Suburban League East foe, Pomazak may have a bit of inside knowledge.

“I’m pretty familiar with them since I was an assistant at Elk Grove (prior to St. Charles North) and we played them once a year,” Pomazak said. “They’re a physical team with their read-option.”

“Throwback’ vs. Wave

Part of the fun of the playoffs is facing new players and schemes, and St. Edward will see this in Alleman senior leader Luke Saskowski (6-1, 205 pounds).

Saskowski plays defensive end and fullback, but he’s athletic enough that he’s been able to play safety and linebacker, and started the year as the quarterback.

“He rarely is off the field — he’s a real throwback type,” Alleman coach Dave DeJaegher said.

Kelan Whan took over at quarterback when Saskowski moved to fullback.

“It let us get more good athletes on the field,” DeJaegher said.

Alleman also got breakaway running threat Kylee Dorsey back from a fractured fibula late in the year and the power running, winged-T attack has taken off.

“They use an offense we used to see from Hampshire and also from Genoa in the past,” St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said.

More Rocket depth

Burlington Central coach Rich Crabel has used an uncomplicated approach to get his team to its 1 p.m. home 5A playoff game with Sterling despite injuries and the loss of players due to suspensions earlier.

“We just tell them to do their own jobs, especially on defense that’s the case,” he said. “I know it sounds boring. I know the players probably get bored hearing it from me and I kid about it, but it’s really the truth.

“Our discipline and executing the job each one has are the keys.”

Central used Brad Sorenson, Jason Berango and Kyle Trumbrower as a safety by committee to replace injured Adam Skirmont (ankle) but he could be back this game.

The Rockets at different times have been without every single offensive backfield starter, as well as five defensive players.