Scouting: Batavia at Huntley

Class 6A

No. 12 Batavia (6-3) at No. 5 Huntley (8-1)

When: today at 7 p.m. at Harmony Road Campus Field

Playoff history: Huntley is the playoffs for first time since 2001 and second time overall. Batavia is making its sixth straight playoff appearance and 13th overall. The Bulldogs were the Class 6A state runner-up in 2006.

Outlook: This game offers a contrast in styles: Huntley likes to pound the ball with the run and Batavia puts the ball in the air. Huntley attacks with the area's leading running back, Jordan Neukirch, who has run behind a veteran offensive line for 1,375 yards and 17 touchdowns. He's not a one-man show, though. Teammates Brett Kleckner (75-350-5), David Conrad (44-303-6) and Tanner Stearns (62-513-3) can all do damage. Last week against Geneva, a team similar to Huntley with a top running back and a physical offensive line, the Batavia defense allowed 386 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. The Bulldogs allow an average of 24.7 points and 350 yards per game. The Huntley defense has held opponents to 11.7 points and 197 yards per game. But the Red Raiders will be tested by a Batavia offense that makes up for what its defense lacks. Senior quarterback Jordan Coffey (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) has the ultimate postseason experience. As a sophomore in 2006, he was thrust into action during the Class 6A state title game when starter Alex Schroeder was injured. This season he has completed 140-of-243 passes for 2,035 yards and 19 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. His top receiver is 6-2 senior Erich Zeddies (48 catches, 859 yards, 12 TDs). Possession receivers Tyler Lindquist (35-412-2) and Ryan Webb (31-412-3) keep drives moving. The Bulldogs are not one-dimensional. They have also rushed for 1,639 yards this season, led by junior J.R. Kabba (82 carries, 853 yards, 10 TDs). "Their running back gives them a 1-2 punch to go with Coffey," Huntley coach Steve Graves said. "I wish we could focus on the passing game only, and we still think that's one of their most dangerous aspects, but if the tailback gets loose early in the game he's a factor. We don't match up well with them. They have a very good passing attack. Coffey is a nice, tall, good quarterback. He handles pressure really well. We've seen him change plays at the line of scrimmage, he runs the no huddle, throws to a variety of targets, eludes the pass rush very well, is very mobile and he can run. Most of the time he chooses to elude the rush, keep his focus downfield and throw to a target, which I think makes him more dangerous yet."

Advancement: The winner will play the winner of tonight's 7 p.m. game between No. 13 Grant (6-3) at No. 4 Vernon Hills (8-1). Huntley would play on the road next week regardless of the opponent.