Scouting Elgin at St. Charles East

Elgin (4-3, 3-2) at St. Charles East (2-5, 1-3)

When: today at 7:30 p.m. at Norris Stadium

Last meeting (2006): St. Charles East 46, Elgin 14

Last week: Batavia 28, Elgin 7; Lake Park 19, St. Charles East 13

Outlook: The playoffs are still three weeks away, but the postseason really begins now for Elgin. Because the Maroons enter with only 22 playoff points, they must win their last 2 games against the Saints and Metea Valley to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2001. Speaking of 2001, that was the last year Elgin beat the Saints. Both teams have struggled offensively. The Maroons average 253 yards and 22.1 points per game. However, the Elgin defense is responsible for 3 touchdowns this season, Earl Holloway has returned 3 kickoffs for touchdowns and Jordan Dean has returned a punt for a score. Subtract those 7 touchdowns and Elgin's offense is averaging only 16.1 points per game. St. Charles East, which lost its first- and second-string quarterbacks to injuries in Week 2, averages 15 points per game. "It'll be interesting if we ever get this thing clicking," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said of the offense. "That's what this week is about. It's not so much about St. Charles East as much as it is about what we can do, how we adjust and how we come off the ball. It's been a good week. The kids are focused in and they know the situation. The playoffs start now." Bierman and Saints coach Mike Fields know each other well. They previously worked together at Geneva for two seasons. Fields was the sophomore coach and Bierman was a varsity assistant.