Scouting Batavia at Elgin

Batavia (3-3, 2-1) at Elgin (4-2, 3-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Field

Last year: First meeting

Last week: Elgin 26, St. Charles North 19; Geneva 40, Batavia 21

Elgin Outlook: The Maroons hope to celebrate homecoming in style by becoming playoff eligible for the first time since 2001, the last season they won at least 5 games. This Upstate Eight Conference game features the River Division's two staunchest defenses. Elgin allows only 16.2 points per game, whereas, Batavia limits opposing offenses to 19.2 points per game. The Bulldogs average 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds across the defensive front, led by junior play-disrupting end Cole Gardner (6-5, 235). "They're a big, physical team," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. "They do a lot of checking at the line. The quarterback (Noel Gaspari) is the coach's son and he's an intelligent kid. They try to put themselves in the best position possible. They'll run a lot of formations. They'll run a double tight then run no back. They're multiple in their formations, so a lot of it will be us lining up right." Since Elgin senior Lee Jackson took over at quarterback early in the Larkin game two weeks ago, he has completed 25-of-36 pass attempts for 481 yards and 2 touchdowns with only 1 interception. If he continues to attack defenses with passes to Shaquielle Hayes and Devin Gilliam, defenses will be forced to drop more players into coverage, thereby opening more running room for senior running back Jordan Dean.

Batavia Outlook: Batavia coach Mike Gaspari said his Bulldogs were "a little bit down" after last week's loss to Geneva, which probably cost them a chance at the Upstate Eight Conference's River division title. He also told them: "You don't have time to feel sorry for yourself or you'll get beat again." Elgin managed that feat against St. Charles North doing the near-impossible managing a meager 3 reported first downs. Though quarterback Lee Jackson threw for 166 yards the Maroons scored only 1 offensive touchdown, that on a 38-yard Jordan Dean touchdown run. Elgin made hay on special teams, as the dangerous triple-threat Dean scored on an 85-yard punt return and senior Earl Holloway scored on kickoff returns of 70 and 80 yards. That has Batavia taking notice after allowing Geneva a 97-yard kickoff return for touchdown last week and an 88-yarder for a score in Week 4 against Bartlett. Thus, special teams defense gets the priority as well as a rush by defensive linemen Cole Gardner, Brian Wilson, Alec Lyons and Jeff Hartzell against Jackson out of the spread offense. Quarterback Noel Gaspari is revisiting his defensive back days from freshman year, joining Ben Fornek, Kevin Schroeder, Cameron Compton, David Peskind and Evan Zeddies in the secondary to defend Elgin's big-play offense. Batavia's offense looks to continue its balanced attack, aided by 6-foot-4 Zach Strittmatter's best day as a receiver with 53 yards on 4 catches against Geneva. Tailback Emund Kabba was busy running for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns but twisted an ankle; he was practicing by midweek. Batavia will need all hands on deck, and a can-do attitude considering this dangerous foe and a perilous playoff situation, with just 3 wins, 26 playoff points and St. Charles North on deck. "We've got to match up athletically," Mike Gaspari said, "and it's do-or-die for the playoffs."