Scouting the Elgin Maroons
Elgin certainly has speed.
This past spring, returning cornerback Noah Mack and receivers Darien Jackson and Alex West comprised three-fourths of the Maroons' 400-meter relay that nearly qualified downstate in track.
Another receiver, big-play man Xavier Bonds, has game-breaking ability and football IQ gained by years playing the sport. After a 2-7 season Elgin fifth-year coach Anthony Mason hopes other intangibles emerge.
"Mainly it's their attitude and approach to the game. When stuff gets hard, do they persist?" he asked rhetorically.
"We're going to be physical and we're going to be fast. If we can get over that mental state we're going to be in a great place."
The Maroons are in a great place regarding impact returners.
Elgin's 2018 MVP, Bonds ran for 200 yards with 5 touchdowns, returned kickoffs for 270 yards and caught 40 passes for 663 yards and 2 touchdowns. The senior finished strong with 110 and 120 yards receiving in Weeks 8-9, respectively. At safety he made 39 tackles.
"His biggest thing this year is just his leadership," Mason said.
A two-way starter at receiver and linebacker, like Bonds all-Upstate Eight Conference in 2018, as a sophomore Alex West led the Maroons with 58 tackles and tied returning cornerback Jaylan Chaney with 6 pass knockdowns. Following Bonds and returning receiver Darien Jackson's 280 yards receiving, West caught 18 passes for 209 yards.
Also back is Brandon Bridges, who ran for a team-high 389 yards with an 80-yard touchdown against defending UEC champion Glenbard East. Senior center David Berendt, however, is the sole returning starting lineman.
Elgin had a preseason quarterback competition between juniors Jeffery Lomax and Gio Griffin, each of whom got reps last season behind graduated starter Jordan West, Alex's older brother. Both juniors are accurate passers, can run the ball and "know our system like the back of their hand," Mason said.
"We would like for one to really take the lead and take control of the offense," the coach said, though a rotation at least early in the season also is a possibility.
Bonds, Jackson and Alex West will reprise their spots on defense, joining returning starters Chaney, Mack and defensive linemen Matthew Perez and Mike Stine. Linebacker Darrell Thornton and 6-1, 230-pound defensive lineman Shannon Williams are potential impact newcomers as is offensive lineman Fabian Gonzalez.
Elgin must tighten its defense after allowing 339 points, second-most in the UEC behind West Chicago, and must reduce turnovers particularly in the red zone.
But numbers are solid, around 110 program-wide, and the coach praised his players' off-season work. He hopes that translates to greater confidence.
"If we can get our key guys to keep the team in a positive state, to work together and really build each other up, we're going to be a success," Mason said. "If we go back to old times, we'll be in the same boat."