Scouting Marian Central @ St. Edward

Marian Central (5-2, 3-1) at St. Edward (5-2, 2-2)

When Today at 7:15 p.m.

Last year Marian Central 28, St. Edward 7

Last week Aurora Christian 23, St. Edward 18; Marian Central 14, St. Francis 12

Outlook The Green Wave will attempt to seal a playoff bid at home for the second straight week, this time in a Suburban Christian Conference crossover game against the surging Hurricanes, the second-place team in the SCC Blue Division. Last week Marian Central knocked off defending Class 5A champion St. Francis. "I think it's a team we can match up with," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "They're going to be tough. I think we have a tough team. Whichever team comes out and executes better, especially with the weather conditions a little wet and a little cold, will win. We have to take care of the ball. When we get opportunities we need to capitalize on them. We had some opportunities last week and just didn't cash in. You don't get a lot of opportunities like that against good teams." St. Edward needs to win one of its final two games to ensure itself a playoff spot for the first time since 2003. With only 26 playoff points, St. Edward could find itself on the outside looking in come playoff pairings night if it finishes with 5 victories. Statewide in Class 4A, only one 5-2 team has fewer playoff points and only two 4-3 teams have fewer. Thus, the Wave must reach a heretofore unseen level of play to guarantee themselves a postseason bid. "We need to be able to make big plays and not just come out and play a normal game," Rolando said. "We need to play an above-normal game and make great plays when they matter."