Football: Scouting Week 6, Northwest

By Marty Maciaszek

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Barrington (4-1, 1-0) at Palatine (4-1, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Chic Anderson Stadium

Last week: Barrington d. Hoffman Estates 44-6; Palatine d. Schaumburg 22-19

Outlook: This is one of the higher-stakes matchups between two schools that first met in 1929. Both have won four in a row and the MSL’s leading rushers — Barrington’s Chase Murdock (749 yards, 10 TDs) and Palatine’s John Serio (551 yards, 8 TDs) — operate behind solid, physical offensive lines but will also be challenged by two of the league’s top defenses. “It will be a great matchup and we know what we’re up for with Serio and Co., and their offensive line,” said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. “We’re excited for the challenge.”

Palatine finally comes home for only the second time this year and gets DE Andrew LaVeau and FB Andrew Pecson back from concussions. The Pirates also found another weapon last week as Cam Kuksa rushed for 136 yards. “Barrington is huge like usual and they’re monsters up front offensively,” said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. “(Dan) Voltz is the real deal and Murdock is running well. Our kids are confident but very aware of how physical they are and it should be a physical game like Montini all over again.” The matchup also features some of the area’s top two-way players including Murdock, Kuksa, Barrington’s Dylan Zyzda and Sam Handler and Palatine’s Jesse Bobbit and Lucas Rago. Palatine’s 21-10 win last year was its fourth straight in a series Barrington leads 38-20-1.

Schaumburg (2-3, 0-1) at Fremd (3-2, 1-0)

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

Last week: Schaumburg lost to Palatine 22-19; Fremd d. Conant 24-20

Outlook: A crucial matchup for two teams looking to extend playoff streaks has Fremd coming in with three wins in its last four games and Schaumburg on a 3-game losing streak. But the Saxons can also streak by defenses in a hurry with sophomore Stacy Smith, who had 245 total yards last week subbing for injured QB Nick Anzelmo, WR Mike Mallet and RB Sadaris Patterson. “When the ball is in (Smith’s) hands on every play that weighs on you,” said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. “There’s speed and there’s football speed and he’s got football speed.”

Fremd has been getting up to speed defensively with senior S Keith Browning, DT Ben Dworkin (3 sacks) and LB Ryan Barr. “He does a real good job and he’s solid,” Donatucci said of Barr. “He makes the calls (for the younger kids) and he’s probably right now our most invisible, important piece.” Getting DE Alejandro Suero back has also been a big key with Nick Bednarek out again this week and Donatucci hoped OL Nick Loden would be able to return tonight. Schaumburg’s 17-14 win last year ended an 8-game losing streak in a series Fremd leads 15-9.

Conant (4-1, 0-1) at Hoffman Estates (0-5, 0-1)

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

Last week: Conant lost to Fremd 24-20; Hoffman lost to Barrington 44-6

Outlook: Memories of last year’s 17-14 on a buzzer-beating field goal for the Mayor’s Cup figure to help Conant respond emotionally to its first loss of the season. The emphasis for Conant coach Bill Modelski was pretty basic. “All we have to do is keep getting better and focus on improving,” he said. “If we do that we’ll be fine.” Senior QB Matt Cullen (962 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs) and WR Tim Manczko (31 catches, 512 yards, 4 TDs) have been one of the area’s top combinations. Hoffman hopes this is the game where it doesn’t hurt itself as it showed some of its capability last week with QB Jordan Hudak throwing for 129 yards and rushing for 96 and RB Alex Proskey had 70 yards rushing and receiving. Hoffman’s win last year ended a 9-game losing streak in a series Conant leads 25-12.

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Rolling Meadows (4-1, 1-0) at Elk Grove (4-1, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert Haskell Stadium

Last week: Meadows d. Wheeling 41-0; Elk Grove d. Buffalo Grove 17-10

Outlook: A collision of the MSL’s highest-scoring offense in Meadows (38.4 points a game) and its stingiest defense in Elk Grove (12.8 points a game) with first place in the East at stake. “We have a ton of respect for what they’re doing offensively,” said Elk Grove coach Brian Doll. “The quarterback (Jack Milas) looks really good and with that many weapons it reminds me of our team last year. They’re as explosive as it gets.”

As if Milas (1,468 yards, 19 TDs, 4 INTs, 70 pct. completions), Artie Checchin (33 catches, 406 yards, 4 TDs), Ryan Gundersen (30 for 327, 5 TDs) and Tyler Bobowski (29 for 283, 4 TDs) isn’t enough to worry about, the Mustangs also got 80 yards rushing from Garrett Peterson after some nagging injuries. “He was a guy we looked at all offseason as a huge weapon for us,” said Meadows coach Matt Mishler. “We’re excited to have him back for the East and he played great last week.” With a Elk Grove’s MASH unit led by QB-LB Dejan Basara, two-way players such as RB-LB Stefan Skoneczka, linemen Greg Johnsen and Dan Egan and WR-DB Jeff Miceli delivered a big comeback last week in sophomore QB Adam O’Malley’s first start. Elk Grove’s 35-21 win last year ended a 6-game losing streak in a series tied at 19-19 and also ended Meadows’ run of seven straight playoff trips.

Prospect (2-3, 1-0) at Wheeling (1-4, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last week: Prospect d. Hersey 35-20; Wheeling lost to Meadows 41-0

Outlook: Prospect coach Mike Sebestyen isn’t fooled by Wheeling’s losing streak to four teams with 4-1 records. “All I have to do is look at last year’s film to know what they’re capable of and how dangerous they can be,” Sebestyen said. “Their record means nothing. I think they’re a dangerous football team that can explode on you in a heartbeat.” But the Knights took a big step forward last week with the running game of Sam Mazukelli (424 yards) and QB Sam Frasco (396 yards, 4 TDs) and defensive TDs by Mike Etchingham and Andrew Hajek. A win here puts them in a tie for the East lead with the Meadows-Elk Grove winner. “We talked about the idea of building some momentum here,” Sebestyen said. Prospect’s 62-24 win last year was its 10th in 11 tries in a series it leads 15-13-1.

Buffalo Grove (1-4, 0-1) at Hersey (2-3, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Roland Goins Stadium

Last week: Buffalo Grove lost to Elk Grove 17-10; Hersey lost to Prospect 35-20

Outlook: A must-win situation for neighborhood rivals that have been streaking in the wrong direction with BG’s losing streak at four and Hersey’s at three. “All we’re both fighting for is to keep our season going,” said BG coach Jim Farrell. “The kids know this is the most important game we have for the rest of the road.” BG missed chances to take a 21-0 lead last week and instead was up just 10-7 at halftime. “We’re making too many mistakes,” Farrell said. “One week it’s one area and we clean it up ... but we’re still waiting for a complete game.”

The good news for the Bison is WR Ryan Schumi (29 catches, 378 yards, 4 TDs) returned to practice this week and was OK after a scare at the end of the game last week had him taken off on a stretcher. They also get LT Joe Conley back from a concussion but two-way lineman Trevor Chandler is questionable. Hersey has also been hit hard by injuries and last week was hurt by 5 turnovers with two returned for TDs. Senior QB Brad Zaucha (1,013 yards, 8 TDs, 7 INTs) is second in the area in passing yards. BG’s 17-14 win last year was its fourth straight in a series it leads 26-11.

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

Leyden (0-5, 0-3) at Morton (2-3, 1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Morton West, Berwyn

Last week: Leyden lost 60-35 to Hinsdale South; Morton lost 35-0 to Addison Trail

Outlook: Leyden got some things going offensively last week with RB Mickey Gulo and QB Joe DiFronzo but saw a 14-0 lead wiped out in a record-setting point barrage. Morton QB Ismael Ledezma threw for 4 TDs two weeks ago but was held to 98 yards on 15-for-22 passing with 2 INTs by Addison Trail’s stingy defense.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Deerfield (2-3, 1-0) at Maine West (0-5, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last week: Deerfield d. Glenbrook North 28-18; Maine West lost to Highland Park 56-14

Outlook: It doesn’t get any easier for Maine West as Deerfield knocked off defending CSL North champion and preseason favorite Glenbrook North last week. Deerfield overcame deficits of 10-0 on the scoreboard, 312-195 in total yardage and 63-36 in plays run as a punt-block return for a TD by John Kerstein was a game-changer. Almost all of Deerfield’s yards came on the ground from Jeremy Kritt (80), QB Brad Holway (50) and Marc Pagano (49).

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC

North Shore Country Day (5-0, 5-0) at Christian Liberty (0-5, 0-5)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Last week: North Shore Country Day d. Kirkland Hiawatha 63-0; Christian Liberty lost to Alden-Hebron 41-6

Outlook: Christian Liberty finally got on the scoreboard last week on Shawn Andersen’s 89-yard kickoff return in the first quarter to get within 7-6 but it was all Alden-Hebron from there. Andersen did rush for 92 of the Chargers’ 176 total yards. This week’s challenge is no easier as North Shore Country Day can wrap up a playoff spot with a victory. NSCD led 46-0 at half last week as QB Steve Smith was 7-for-9 for 104 yards and 3 TDs, Ayo Okesanya rushed for 94 yards and a TD and Zach March had TDs on a punt return, kick return and pass reception.

NONCONFERENCE

St. Viator (0-5) at St. Ignatius (2-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Stagg Stadium, University of Chicago

Last week: St. Viator lost to Notre Dame 57-21; St. Ignatius d. St. Joseph 49-6

Outlook: It would seem to be an odd time for a nonconference game but it’s Viator’s turn for an East Suburban Catholic Conference off week with the odd number of teams in the league. Junior QB Mickey Macius (858 yards, 6 TDs) is closing in on 1,000 yards and junior Kevin Hammarlund caught 2 TD passes and intercepted another last week.