Scouting Elgin @ Neuqua Valley

Posted October 22, 2009 11:00 pm

By Jerry Fitzpatrick

Elgin (3-5, 3-2) at Neuqua Valley (2-6, 2-3)

When: Today at 7:30 p.m.

Last met in 2004: Neuqua Valley 41, Elgin 21

Last week: St. Charles East 7, Neuqua Valley 3; Elgin 21, Streamwood 12

Outlook: A victory in the season finale in Naperville would allow the Maroons to finish no worse than tied for fifth in the 11-team Upstate Eight Conference. "Four wins would be huge for us," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. "The playoffs are out of the picture, but we'd like to finish the season strong with back-to-back wins heading into the off-season program." Elgin has more victories, but the Wildcats' record is deceiving considering a rigorous schedule that included 6 playoff teams and a state power from Indiana. Neuqua lost 4 games to playoff teams by less than a touchdown. "They might not have a great record, but they've played some tough ballgames," Bierman said. "They're Neuqua: They're big, they're strong and they're fast." Electrifying junior running back Jordan Dean leads the Elgin offense with 735 yards on 137 carries and has scored 13 touchdowns in a variety of ways. Junior quarterback Joe Ippolito spearheads the spread offense for Neuqua Valley.

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