Scouting Schaumburg @ Marist

No. 13 Schaumburg (6-3) at No. 4 Marist (7-2)

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Schaumburg d. Conant 21-7; Marist d. Marian Catholic 49-0

Playoff history: Schaumburg is 9-11 and making its third trip in four years under Mark Stilling - it reached the 8A quarterfinals last year. Marist is 12-10 and is making its second straight trip under Pat Dunne.

Outlook: Schaumburg's defense led by Josh Marchok, Dan Malik, Pat Derbak and Co., has been solid against run-oriented Barrington and Conant the last two weeks but has a different challenge in Western Michigan-bound QB Mike Perish (2,071 yards, 25 TDs, 5 INTs, 68 pct. completion). "He's a tremendous leader and a very intelligent quarterback," Dunne said. "Mike is an unbelievable competitor." Perish's top targets are Dan Piko (53 catches, 758 yards, 10 TDs), Nick Valla (33-639, 6 TDs) and Michael Skalitzky (19-234, 7 TDs), who also runs the ball with McKinley Moore (637 yards, 7 TDs). "His arm strength is very good and he puts he ball exactly where it needs to be," Stilling said. "Their receivers flat-out catch everything. But I don't think you can sit there and say if we take away the quarterback we're in business." Schaumburg hopes to get its dangerous threats of QB Mark Iannotti (1,160 yards passing, 8 TDs; 551 rushing, 6 TDs), TB Warren Brewer (84 att., 869 yards, 16 TDs) and WR Dionte Hackler (37-507, 5 TDs) on a roll similar to last year's playoff run against Marist's aggressive defense led by MLB Anthony Szul, DL Vince Maida, FS Taylor Ventress and CB Dave Pirkle. "They run to the ball well and they're physical as heck," Stilling said. "They seem like they're very sound on both sides of the ball."

Advancement: The winner would host No. 5 Naperville Central (7-2) or travel to No. 12 Lockport (6-3) in the second round.