Scouting Metea Valley at Elgin

Metea Valley (1-7, 1-5) at Elgin (5-3, 4-2)

When: today at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Field

Last: first meeting

Last week: Lake Park 26, Metea Valley 19; Elgin 27, St. Charles East 24

Outlook: Elgin's moment of truth has arrived. Win this Upstate Eight Conference crossover and the Maroons guarantee themselves a playoff berth for the first time since 2001. Lose to the first-year program from Aurora and the Maroons will watch Saturday's selection show with fingers crossed. Elgin has only 26 playoff points, making an at-large bid in Class 7A highly unlikely, though not impossible if enough 4-4 teams lose in Week 9. “We've been in playoff mode for the last two weeks,” Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. “The kids have worked hard. To be in a spot where you can control your own destiny rather than waiting to see if you're in or not is a good thing. The kids have a chance. If you win, you're in.” Metea Valley's only victory this season was against East Aurora, but the Mustangs challenged Valley Division leader Waubonsie Valley before succumbing, 21-20. Bierman believes the opponent is of little consequence if his team plays to its potential. That means playing a crisp, sharp, intense game in which mistakes are kept to a bare minimum. Elgin kept the penalties in check in last week's victory against St. Charles East. Can the Maroons do the same with their backs against the playoff wall yet again? Their coach says this type of pressurized situation brings out the best in true Maroons. “I'm an alum so I'm a little biased, but I think there's something special about an Elgin kid,” Bierman said. “Their whole lives their backs are against the wall in a lot of situations. It's nothing new to them. The kids want to prove that they're worthy of something. I think these kids want to prove we've got something special here.”