Stolzenburg stands ready when North needs him
By KEVIN DRULEY
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kdruley@kcchronicle.com
ST. CHARLES – St. Charles North wide receiver Jeff Stolzenburg channeled the Cris Carter characterization during last week's playoff victory against Elk Grove Village.
All he did was catch touchdowns, scoring on receptions of 12 and 4 yards for his lone grabs of the game.
The feat led Stolzenburg to smile and suggest he could live with it again Saturday, though the North Stars wouldn't mind a little more against unbeaten Glenbard West in an IHSA Class 7A state quarterfinal.
In a way, the Stolzenburg of Week 6 – six receptions for 116 yards and no touchdowns in a win against Streamwood – would be preferable. It would mean the North Stars (8-3) were winning the trench battle with a burly Hilltoppers' defensive line while Stolzenburg ran free between the 20s.
"Jeff, he does come up with a big ball in the end zone a lot," North quarterback Jake Bergren said. "Sometimes, it seems like he just opens up there. But if I need him on any route, I know I can hit him there. He's not restricted and can catch anything I throw at him, I know."
A 6-foot-4 senior, Stolzenburg enters the first quarterfinal in North history with 29 receptions for 516 yards and eight touchdowns. He's the leader by far in each category, though he agrees those numbers might be higher if the North Stars weren't running the ball with such ease this fall.
Bergren, running backs Ben Hodges and Max Novak and fullback Dirk Schmitt each are averaging at least 4.1 yards a carry. Many times, all the offense does is ask Stolzenburg to catch touchdowns, a reality he insists he's comfortable with.
"Stats, whatever, I'll trade it all in for a win," Stolzenburg said. "At this point, we lose, I go home, I don't get to play anymore. I just want to be in it. If we run and score touchdowns, fine. If we pass and score touchdowns, fine."
Stolzenburg and several other players and coaches traveled to Rockton Hononegah this past weekend to watch the Hilltoppers (11-0) defeat the Indians, 27-14, in the second round. Stolzenburg said Glenbard West's offense and defense looked equally impressive, though from his seat in the stands it was tough to tell whether anyone in the secondary was taller than 6 feet.
He has only encountered one cornerback who fits that bill this season, so if the running game stalls and Bergren gets time, Stolzenburg will be ready. If North is near the goal line, all the better.
"I like for coach [Mark Gould] to give me at least one shot when we're down by the end zone, because I feel like its one-on-one and I feel like I've got the advantage," Stolzenburg said. "I know we like to run and are a running team more than a passing team, but If I'm able to get that one shot, I'm fine."
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