Back from the dead.

One year after falling short of earning a playoff spot, football is back and prepared to shock the world. The No. 21 Wildkits (6­3) will match up against the No. 13 South Elgin Storm (8­1) tonight at South Elgin, in the first round of the class 8A state playoffs.

“We are very excited to be one of the 32 teams in the playoffs, and we are ready for what is in store for us,” said Coach Mike “Buzz” Burzawa.

The South Elgin Storm football team, coached by Patrik Pistorio, are having a historic season. The team recently captured their first conference title in program history with a
convincing 66­8 win over West Chicago. The Storm are lead by senior running back, Shawn Griffin, who has done nothing but dominate on the offensive side of the ball.

The Wildkits will look for senior wide receiver, and Miami (OH) recruit, Travion Banks to have an impactful game. Banks, who has had a dominant 2015 campaign, has caught 44
passes along with 705 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Another key player for the Wildkits offense will be senior quarterback, and Western Michigan recruit, Matt Little. Little has had an effective season, throwing for 1,393 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Senior running back Micquel Roseman, who rushed for 828 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season, will a strong factor in the Wildkits offense. The Wildkits defense will need for players to step up, due to a shortage of linebackers.

Senior linebacker, Jalen Jenkins, suffered a disappointing MCL sprain during the last weeks game against Maine South.

“Different guys will be stepping up, and that’s really exciting,” said Burzawa.

Linebacker Charlie Krause and safety Ben Easington, both juniors, might just be those guys. Krause and Easington have seen significant playing time this season, but nothing like
commanding the linebacker position. Due to Jenkins injury, Easington will most likely be moved up to the linebacker position, playing alongside Krause. This is nothing new for the duo of talented juniors, who have been playing side to side since the days of pee­wee football.

̈[Charlie] Krause and I have a really close relationship, and it really translates on the field,” said junior safety, Ben Easington. ̈Friday is going to be a lot of fun, I can’t wait. ̈

If the Wildkits can come out of tonight’s game with a win, they would face the winner of the No. 5 Mount Carmel vs. No. 28 Bartlett game.