Scouting Week 5, Northwest
Barrington (4-0) at Schaumburg (4-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: Barrington has shown great patience and fortitude. The Broncos came from behind for victories in their first 3 games. They were much more dominant last week in their win last week thanks to the play of Scotty Miller, who caught 2 touchdown passes last week and returned a punt for another. The Broncos will need to find a way to stop Schaumburg’s ground attack. The Saxons are led by Stacey Smith, who leads the NW area with 717 rushing yards and Justice Macneal-Young, who has amassed 380 yards. “It is always exciting to get into West play,” Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said. “Our offensive line is very talented and our middle three have been together for three years. We think the world of them.” Schaumburg beat Barrington 20-14 last year.
Fremd (3-1) at Hoffman Estates (2-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: After a season-opening loss to state power Lake Zurich, Fremd had appeared to turn the corner offensively, thanks to the play of quarterback Sam Beutler, who missed the season opener. But Beutler suffered a torn ACL and MCL and is hoping to return. With Beutler out, the Vikings will turn to Trever Cutler. “We will adjust and shuffle other guys around,” Fremd coach Lou Sponsel said. “We are not going to make the same mistakes we made against Lake Zurich.” Hoffman Estates and new coach Mike Donatucci are off to a great start as Donatucci faces off against his former team on homecoming. But that start may be diminished as the Wildcats are banged up with quarterback Jeff Mayes nursing a sore ankle and their top offensive lineman Baldemar Camacho out for the next three weeks. Fremd beat Hoffman Estates 42-7 last year.
Conant (3-1) at Palatine (3-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: Conant was rolling along in its first three games thanks to the play of quarterback Danny Modelski, who has thrown for 809 yards. But the Cougars stumbled last week to a very game Rolling Meadows squad and needs to turn things around this week. Meanwhile, the young Pirates, who returned just three starters, are not just thinking playoffs, but a shot at the conference title. With quarterback Nick Orlando having thrown for 555 yards already, the Pirates look to qualify for the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. Palatine beat Conant 42-27 last year.
Prospect (0-4) at Hersey (2-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Despite their record, Hersey has played well heading onto East play. The Huskies were even with Schaumburg and led Fremd before falling in both games. Offensive balance has helped the Huskies. Kyle Polinski, who has garnered 321 yards rushing, and Mario Thomas, who has gained 283 yards, key the running game while Jack Warner has thrown for 622 yards. Prospect is off to its roughest start since 1996, but the Knights are pleased with the play of quarterback Matt Drew, who has thrown for 382 yards. Prospect beat Hersey last year 35-0.
Elk Grove (2-2) at Buffalo Grove (1-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Elk Grove is hoping for more consistent play as it gears up for East play. The Grens got their offense in gear the last two games, averaging 36 points. Quarterback Adam O’Malley, who threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for 2 more last week, has tossed for 849 yards this season. Buffalo Grove has been offensively challenged the past 2 weeks, scoring just 7 points, including being shut out last week by Barrington. Elk Grove beat Buffalo Grove 42-7 last year.
Wheeling (1-3) at Rolling Meadows (2-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Defending East conference champion Rolling Meadows took huge steps to defending that crown with its play last week in a victory over Conant. “It is our goal to compete for the East title every year,” Rolling Meadows coach Matt Mishler said. “We are playing pretty well right now and we hope to keep that going.” Bobby Suchecki, who threw 2 touchdown passes last week, leads the Mustangs with 854 passing yards. Wheeling coach Brent Pearlman will be back up in the press box to coach the Wildcats again this week. “I get to see all the action from there,” Pearlman said. “It is a great place to evaluate the kids.” That evaluation went to new heights last week as Wheeling posted its first victory thanks to the running of Isaac Branch, who ran for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rolling Meadows defeated Wheeling 35-9 last year.
Notre Dame (4-0, 1-0) at St. Viator (3-1, 1-1)
Where: At Forest View Education Center
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: St. Viator has not beaten Notre Dame since 2006. But with the play of quarterback Bobby Calmeyn, who leads the area in passing with 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns, the Lions feel they have a great chance to end that streak. Receivers Ben Dickey (24 receptions, 376 yards) and Matt Darling (23 receptions, 285 yards) give the Lions lots of options offensively. But St. Viator needs to stop Notre dame running back Chris James, who is a legitimate Division 1 prospect. Also, Dons quarterback Ryan Greeve had a big game last week, throwing 4 touchdown passes. Notre Dame defeated St. Viator last year 49-20.
Downers Grove South (2-2, 2-0) at Leyden (1-3, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Defending West Suburban Gold champion Leyden will need a win here if the Eagles hope to repeat. Aaron Whigham got the Eagles’ offense into high gear last week. After scoring only 31 points in their first three games, Leyden exploded for 41 last Friday, thanks to Whigham’s 256 yards on 27 carries and 5 touchdowns. Quarterback Tom Pajor, who has thrown for 346 yards, would like to keep pressure off of Whigham. After losing its first two games, Downers Grove South, led by new head coach Mark Molinari, has evened its record thanks to a pair of conference wins. Leyden beat Downers Grove South last year 27-21.
Niles North (1-3) at Maine West (1-3)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: It is the conference opener for the Warriors, who hope to get back on track after a pair of losses in Central Suburban crossover games to Waukegan and Evanston. Both teams have given up a ton of points in the first 4 games with Maine West allowing 133 and Niles North 139. Niles North beat Maine West last year 48-7.
Mooseheart (3-1, 3-1) at Christian Liberty Academy (0-4, 0-4)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Outlook: CLA had an opportunity for the second conference victory in program history last week. But the Chargers let one get away after seeing a 12-0 lead in the fourth quarter become a 16-12 loss. Now CLA hosts a Mooseheart team that dropped its first game of the season last week. It’s CLA’s homecoming game; Mooseheart won last year’s meeting 33-22.