Scouting Waubonsie Valley @ Lake Park

Waubonsie Valley (4-3, 3-2) at Lake Park (6-1, 5-0)

Upstate Eight Conference

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Last year: Waubonsie Valley 26, Lake Park 7.

Last week Waubonsie Valley 41, Elgin 0; Lake Park 20, South Elgin 15.

Outlook: Lake Park cleared a prospective hurdle to its first UEC title since 2002, and here comes another. Waubonsie Valley was a favorite for the title, but throw in a season-long problem with turnovers and Paul Murphy's Warriors still seek that essential fifth win for playoff eligibility. Even with winless East Aurora on the horizon, Murphy wants urgency. It all clicked last week, particularly defensively as Warriors outside linebacker David Brown helped hold Elgin to 4 first downs and 35 yards total. Brown, Cory Connolly, Rickey Simpson, David Greenspan and the rest will have their hands full with Lake Park running backs Jake McNamara, Clay Cooper and Artie Monaco, the latter catching 2 touchdown passes on South Elgin while running for 127 yards. Both quarterbacks, Larry Nawrot and Waubonsie's Kenny Clay, are dangerous, though Clay is more adept with his feet - a team-high 409 yards rushing to go with 1,029 yards passing. He'll be spied by lineman Charlie Perrecone and Dino Sisto, linebacker Ryan Gerts, cornerback Alex Fischer. "There has to be a full defensive preparation for this kid," said Lancers coach Andy Livingston. "Him on his feet is scary."