Scouting Elgin at Dundee-Crown

Elgin (3-6) at Dundee-Crown (1-8)

When: today at 7:30 p.m. at the D-C Bowl

Last Year: Dundee-Crown 19, Elgin 18, OT

Outlook: Two schools coming off losing seasons hope their respective turnarounds begin with a winning start. The teams combined for 18 turnovers last year on a soggy field. The Chargers ultimately pulled out the victory when quarterback Tanner Kotlan threw for a touchdown and the D-C defense stopped Elgin's 2-point conversion attempt shortly thereafter. "We didn't take care of the ball very well last year," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. "We'll make that an emphasis." Kotlan returns to lead the D-C offense. The senior topped 1,100 yards passing last season in seven games. Senior Miles Adkins returns in the secondary. Last year he intercepted Elgin quarterback Jake Meyer's first varsity pass and returned it for a touchdown. Meyer returns at quarterback and Jordan Dean returns at tailback for the Maroons. An all-Upstate Eight and all-area pick last year, Dean rushed for 734 yards and 9 TDs and caught 9 passes for 85 yards. "They have speed," Chargers coach Mike Davis said of Elgin. "They've got Dean and a lot of athletes. If they're able to just hand the ball off to Dean all day, we're not going to beat them. If we can get them doing other things, we have a chance."