Scouting Neuqua Valley at Downers South

No. 11 Neuqua Valley (6-3) at No. 6 Downers Grove South (7-2)

Class 8A

Game time: 7 p.m. today.

Wildcats fast fact: Their three losses are by 10 total points.

Mustangs fast fact: Fewest points allowed in Class 8A field.

Outlook: In the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and outscoring foes by nearly 20 points per game, Neuqua Valley looks to establish the running game. Tailback Trent Snyder has 1,083 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns and is healthy after a midseason high-ankle sprain. Fullbacks Vai Suliafu and T.J. Rhattigan add a total of 594 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns. Rhattigan, whose 105 tackles, 17 for loss at linebacker, heads an aggressive defense that also gets leadership from ends Mike Ippolito and Andrew Skowronski, nose tackle Leif Munson. Health has been an issue for Downers Grove South all season, most notably at the skill positions with standout running back Josh Williams and electric receiver Ryan Oruche. Williams sure looked healed from an ankle injury last week when he rushed for 190 yards and 4 touchdowns against Morton. The Mustangs would love to take some defensive heat off Williams by phasing in timely passing from quarterback A.J. Simoncelli.

Advancement: Winner advances to play the winner between No. 3 Mt. Carmel (7-2) and No. 14 Bolingbrook (5-4).