Scouting Jacobs at McHenry

Jacobs (4-3, 1-2) at McHenry (1-6, 1-2)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at McCracken Field

Last year: McHenry 37, Jacobs 12

Last week: Jacobs 41, Dundee-Crown 0; Cary-Grove 23, McHenry 20 (OT)

Outlook: A win would likely seal a playoff bid for the Golden Eagles, who enter the game with 31 playoff points to their credit. It would mark Jacobs' first playoff appearance since 2007 and the sixth appearance in program history. “We told our kids last week that we have a 3-game series (to end the season), Jacobs coach Bill Mitz said. “We won the first one, now we have to get the second one and then we'll worry about the third one. We've been hoping to get better each time we play and so far that's happened for us. The Golden Eagles will face the spread passing attack that nearly upended Cary-Grove last week before McHenry fell in overtime. The Warriors offense is led by junior quarterback Robert Tonyan, who has thrown for 17 touchdowns and nearly 2,100 yards. The Golden Eagles will attack a McHenry defense that allows 34.3 points per game, led by junior running back Caz Zyks (717 yards, 9 TD, 122 carries). Mitz said Zyks has demonstrated a noticeably improved burst since he was asked to play offense only. “We were asking too much of that kid, Mitz said. “Now he's really moving north and south, and we're getting better up front. The big thing for us this week is we can't let their quarterback get hot. We need our offense to keep the ball and control the game.