Football: Scouting Week 2, Northwest

By Marty Maciaszek

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com

MID-SUBURBAN CROSSOVERS

Schaumburg (1-0) at Buffalo Grove (1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last week: Schaumburg d. New Trier 22-17; Buffalo Grove d. Lake Forest 31-24

Outlook: Heading into MSL play with a victory is nothing new for Buffalo Grove, but the feeling is different for coach Jim Farrell. “It was a much better first game,” Farrell said of its first meeting with Lake Forest. “It helps us get ready for the second week more than the last couple of years. It was the right kind of first game for us to see and answer a lot of questions.” Senior Richie Zirngibl had a lot of the right answers on both sides of the ball as he led a 363-yard offensive effort and had 2 INTs.

And for the first time in a long time Farrell felt good about the running game with Brian Busch (117 yards), Zirngibl (76) and Alex Fritz (73). “We were up-tempo but at the same time we controlled the pace of the game and sustained a lot of drives to keep a good offense off the field,” Farrell said. “Richie did a great job of controlling the pace of the game and making great reads.” Schaumburg junior QB Nick Anzelmo had a memorable varsity debut as he passed for 199 yards and rushed for 76 and the game-winning TD in the final minutes. Mike Mallet caught 3 passes for 136 yards and a TD to help the Saxons take a 16-3 lead in the third quarter. Schaumburg's 28-6 win last year was its fourth straight in a series BG leads 9-8.

Conant (1-0) at Wheeling (1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last week: Conant d. Lake Park 19-14; Wheeling d. Mundelein 29-20

Outlook: Wheeling unveils its new field turf and lights to go with a team on a three-game winning streak led by third-year QB Tyler Brady (250 total yards, 3 TDs), RB Eddie Scanlon (97 yards, TD) and sophomore Sam Yoshino (6 catches, 80 yards). Conant comes in after snapping a seven-game losing streak where it outgained Lake Park 362-202 but needed a fourth-quarter TD run by Kevin Otubu (85 yards) to pull out the victory. “Looking back on it, as much as we struggled it will be that much better for us in the long run,” said Conant coach Bill Modelski. Conant got solid defensive efforts last week from LBs Joe Faso and John Maevski and DL Adam Starks and Colin Otubu and will need them again this week. Getting CB Danny Sarillo back from injury will also help. Conant pulled out a 13-10 win last year and leads the series 14-9.

Elk Grove (1-0) at Barrington (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Barrington Community Stadium

Last week: Elk Grove d. Highland Park 39-12; Barrington lost to Libertyville 23-20 (ot)

Outlook: Elk Grove gets an even bigger road test this week after passing last week's with a strong performance from QB Dejan Basara (267 total yards, 5 TDs) and WR Fernando Lozano (4 catches, 82 yards) and Greg Johnsen and Jeff Miceli leading a second-half defensive shutout. “The difference in the game is we were able to play at a pretty high level in the second half,” said Elk Grove coach Brian Doll. Another difference were big special teams plays that included Mike Maize and Stefan Skoneczka causing a turnover on the opening kickoff, a blocked punt by Miceli and Darren Little blocking an extra point.

Barrington dominated statistically last week with a 338-216 edge in total yards as Chase Murdock rushed for 210 and Mark Bennett threw for 157. “I know they felt they did enough to win the game and I can't say enough about the way Chase played on defense,” Doll said. “I feel we're stronger up front than last year and we're excited for the challenge.” Elk Grove lost OLB Chris Barreto for the year to a torn ACL last week but Doll said sophomore Mike Bishoff came in and played well. Barrington won 23-20 in OT last year for its fifth straight win in a series it leads 13-5.

Palatine (0-1) at Rolling Meadows (1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert A. Hoese Athletic Field

Last week: Palatine lost to Montini 26-21; Meadows d. York 50-49

Outlook: So what does Meadows do for an encore after last week's offensive outburst and comeback? The Mustangs' defense will be tested again as Palatine outgained Montini 325-274 as a healthy John Serio showed what he can do by rushing for 123 yards and catching 4 passes. Palatine's defense will try to slow Meadows' high-powered attack that scored 50 points in the final 27 minutes last week behind QB Jack Milas (493 yards, 6 TDs) and his crew of threats led by Artie Checchin, Ryan Gundersen, Tyler Bobowski and Garrett Peterson. Palatine won last year's meeting 28-12 and leads the series 11-6.

Hersey (1-0) at Hoffman Estates (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Dennis Garber Stadium

Last week: Hersey d. Glenbrook North 21-14; Hoffman Estates lost to Streamwood 34-17

Outlook: Hersey's defense which stifled Glenbrook North last week is ready for another challenge from a Hoffman offense that is more multifaceted than it has been in years. Senior QB Jordan Hudak threw for 174 yards and a TD and rushed for 51 yards and a score as the Hawks were within 20-17 after three quarters. Junior Mike Jackson caught 4 passes for 102 yards and junior Anthony Patrick had 77 combined yards rushing and receiving. “They have a pretty good idea offensively of how they want to go about attacking people,” said Hersey coach Dragan Teonic. “They don't lack for skill on either side of the ball. They're pretty fast and athletic.” Hersey won 20-7 last year in a series Hoffman leads 9-8.

Prospect (0-1) at Fremd (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Hale Hildebrandt Field

Last week: Prospect lost to Glenbrook South 34-10; Fremd lost to Lake Zurich 35-3

Outlook: Last year's MSL division champions try to avoid an 0-2 start after opening losses to quality opponents. In both cases last week the loss of the turnover battle hurt as Fremd had four miscues and Prospect had three. Fremd sophomore QB Sam Beutler threw for 159 yards and junior WR Matt Isola caught 3 passes for 88 yards while freshman RB Darius Burchette gained 28 yards. Prospect rushed for 200 yards last week as sophomore Sam Mazukelli got 94 and a TD, QB Sam Frasco had 56 and junior Devin O'Hara had 38. Prospect won last year's meeting 28-14 in a series Fremd leads 13-6.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

St. Patrick (1-0, 0-0) at St. Viator (0-1, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Forest View

Last week: St. Patrick d. Proviso East 54-13; St. Viator lost to Marian Catholic 51-27

Outlook: This has the potential for a long night with two offenses not afraid to go to the air. St. Patrick standout QB Ryan Tentler was 12-for-20 for 285 yards and 5 TDs despite playing little in the second half last week and Guy DiBalsamo caught 7 passes for 119 yards and three scores in the first half. St. Viator junior QB Mickey Macius was 23-for-53 passing for 256 yards and 2 TDs at Marian Catholic and senior Brian Guth was busy with 12 catches for 87 yards. The Lions have lost five straight since their 42-21 win over the Shamrocks last year.

WEST SUBURBAN CROSSOVER

Leyden (0-1) at Hinsdale Central (1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Dickinson Field

Last week: Hinsdale Central d. St. Charles North 27-26 (ot); Leyden lost to Fenton 30-29

Outlook: After facing the passing attack of Fenton last week, Leyden's defensive challenge will be multidimensional as Hinsdale Central tries to rebound from a season where it missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000. The Red Devils got 98 yards rushing from junior Teddy Kwasigroch and productive efforts from QBs Danny Callahan (79 yards rushing, 69 passing and a TD) and Brian Owens (56 yards passing; 2 TD runs) behind lineman Ryan Callen (6-5, 271), who has Mid-American Conference scholarship offers. Leyden did show the improvement it hoped for in the running game as Mickey Gulo had 107 yards and a TD. The two schools haven't played since 2000 when Hinsdale Central won 24-0.

NONCONFERENCE

Maine West (0-1) at Fenton (1-0)

When: 7 p.m. today

Last week: Maine West lost to Urban Prep 14-6; Fenton d. Leyden 30-29

Outlook: Maine West's hopes for a good start took an unexpected hit last week and this week doesn't look any easier as Fenton's high-flying offense that rallied from a 29-14 fourth-quarter deficit on TD passes by QB Sean Havlovic. Former Riverside-Brookfield coach and new Fenton offensive coordinator Otto Zeman has clearly made his mark early with his traditional pass-happy offenses as Havlovic threw for 308 yards and 4 TDs and reigning Metro Suburban offensive player of the year Alan Geneva caught 12 passes for 271 yards and three scores.

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC

Rockford Christian Life (0-1, 0-1) at Christian Liberty (0-1, 0-1)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Rockford Christian Life lost to North Shore Country Day 36-26; Christian Liberty lost to Luther North 40-0

Outlook: It doesn't get any easier for Christian Liberty as it faces last year's NAC runner-up in Rockford Christian Life, which gave up three straight TDs to start the second half and fell behind 36-12 last week. Jamar Ellis showed all the ways he's dangerous as he rushed for 84 yards and 2 TDs, returned a kickoff 87 yards for a TD and threw a 20-yard TD pass. Ryan Nied also rushed for 83 yards. Christian Liberty got 44 yards rushing from J.D. Dulinsky but it was hurt by three lost fumbles. Christian Life won last year's meeting 35-8.