Scouting South Elgin @ Larkin

South Elgin (6-2, 3-2) at Larkin (5-3, 2-3)

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

Last: First meeting

Last week: South Elgin 10, St. Charles North 7, OT; Larkin 58, East Aurora 14

Outlook: A victory in the first meeting between these District U-46 schools holds playoff implications for both. South Elgin clinched its first postseason berth last week with an overtime victory against St. Charles North and could earn a home playoff game with a seventh victory, though there's no guarantee. Larkin, which has 30 playoff points, needs a sixth victory to make the postseason for the first time since 2006. "Playoff point-wise we're not one of the higher seeds if we have a 5-4 record after Week 9," Larkin coach Matt Gehrig said, "but either way it's a must-win situation." Said Storm coach Dale Schabert, who coached Larkin from 1995 until 2004: "We want to get to 7-2 and we want to keep improving. It would be great to get a home game because every team knows a home game in the playoffs is huge, playing in a familiar site with your fans. This is a good test for us. They have to win to get in, so both teams are going to give it their absolute best shot because there's a lot at stake for both teams. I'd rather be playing a team that would give us a good game in Week 9 than not." Larkin's attack won't change in the regular-season finale. The Royals' playoff fortunes will rest on the effectiveness of its offensive line and the legs of area leading rusher Jalen Williams, a senior who has 1,565 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. "He's by far the most talented back we've faced," Schabert said. "We've faced some pretty good running games, including last week, and I think we've improved as the year has gone on as far as playing the run. There's no doubt that's their strength. It would be crazy not to give him the ball as much as they do. We have to know where he's at all the time and not fall asleep and let them get a throw somewhere." A Larkin defense that has held opponents to 16.1 points per game will be tested on muddy Memorial Field by South Elgin junior quarterback John Menken (1,051 yards, 11 TDs) and 6-foot-4 receivers Jake Kumerow (28 rec., 517 yards, 4 TDs) and Domico Failla (11-223-2). "You're looking at an offense that looks to make a lot of big plays, a quarterback that can throw the ball downfield very well and receivers who can go up and catch it," Gehrig said. "We'll be dealing with a team with a good amount of team speed and an overall aggressive style of play."