Scouting Jacobs @ Huntley

Jacobs (2-6, 1-3) at Huntley (4-4, 1-3)

When: Today at 7:15 p.m. at Harmony Road Campus

Last year: Huntley 36, Jacobs 0

Last week: McHenry 37, Jacobs 12; Huntley 40, Dundee-Crown 20

Outlook: Statewide 176 teams have already qualified for the playoffs. There are 80 spots to be determined this weekend and Huntley intends to grab one of them. A win would qualify Huntley for playoff consideration with 5 victories, and the Red Raiders should have enough playoff points to be included in the postseason if they beat Jacobs. The IHSA threshold for 5-4 teams the past two seasons has been 36 points. Huntley enters its regular-season finale with 35 and is guaranteed at least 2 more points due to head-to-head matchups between Cary-Grove and Dundee-Crown and Crystal Lake South and McHenry. Thus, the motivation to win on their home field is crystal clear for the Raiders. "We don't have to tell them anything because a playoff game is on the line," Huntley coach Steve Graves said. "It wouldn't make any difference who we're playing. The greatest motivation is having the opportunity to gain a playoff berth, and that's what they're going to go out and try to do." Jacobs is focusing on its own improvement rather than spoiling Huntley's playoff bid. "It's our last game and we want to finish strong," Golden Eagles coach Dean Schlueter said. "We're concentrating on what we can control and how we can finish. We just want to play as good as we can play. It's our last game and it's a big night for our seniors." Led by senior Brett Kleckner (83 carries, 585 yards, 8 TDs), the Huntley offense has rushed for an average of 242 yards per game. The Jacobs defense has allowed an average of 180 yards rushing per game and 309 yards overall. The Huntley defense allows 301 yards per game.