Scouting Week 6, Northwest
Rolling Meadows (3-2, 1-0) at Elk Grove (3-2, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: It will likely be an aerial show between the top two passing quarterbacks in the East, Rolling Meadows’ Bobby Suchecki and Elk Grove’s Adam O’Malley. Both quarterbacks are both coming off of strong efforts that helped rally their teams to victory. Suchecki, who was 12-of-23 for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns, also scored on a pair 1-yard runs. O’Malley threw for a career-best 340 yards while throwing 4 TD passes and breaking off a 55-yard scoring run. Neither team is afraid to run the ball, either, with the Mustangs’ Kevin Montero coming off his best game of the year, running for 137 yards. Meanwhile, the Grens’ Travon Royal busted off 154 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Elk Grove beat Rolling Meadows 24-14 last year.
Buffalo Grove (1-4, 0-1) at Hersey (3-2, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: After a double overtime victory last week against Prospect, Hersey is back home again to celebrate homecoming. The Huskies’ Jack Warner is coming off another big game, throwing for 203 yards. He has 825 passing yards this season and this week faces a Buffalo Grove defense that gave up 349 passing yards a week ago. The Bison have struggled defensively of late, allowing an average of 43 points. Scott Smithren has given the Bison a lift offensively; he rushed for 80 yards last week and threw a 50-yard touchdown pass on an option play. Hersey beat Buffalo Grove 44-0 last year.
Prospect (0-5, 0-1) at Wheeling (1-4, 0-1)
When: Friday 7 p.m.
Outlook: Both teams are hungry for wins after allowing victories to slip through their grasp last weekend. Prospect is coming off its best game of the season, with the Knights just falling short in double overtime against Hersey. Prospect running back Eric Garmoe gained more yards last week (141) than he had in the four 4 weeks combined (101). Wheeling’s offense has made huge strides this year. Isaac Branch continues to be a huge bright spot for the Wildcats. His 106 rushing yards last week moved him to second in the area with 562 yards on 90 carries, while quarterback Amani Dennis has tallied 222 yards on the ground while throwing for another 338 yards. Prospect beat Wheeling 21-7 last year.
Schaumburg (5-0, 1-0) at Conant (4-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: After faltering two weeks ago, Conant came back and played its best game of the season in the Cougars’ win over Palatine. Conant running back Elias Gardener had a career-high 173 rushing yards. That took the pressure off QB Danny Modelski, who bounced back from a subpar performance to throw for 193 yards and 3 touchdowns. Conant will need all its offensive firepower to stay with Schaumburg. The Saxons are averaging 37 points per game. And they were even scarier last week when quarterback Stacey Smith, who has run for 828 yards this year, missed the first quarter and Schaumburg was still able to put 2 touchdowns on the board. Running back Justice Macneal-Smith has rushed for 499 yards this season. Conant beat Schaumburg 30-21 last year.
Hoffman Estates (2-3, 0-1 at Palatine (3-2, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: Both teams are coming off of disappointing losses from last week. Hoffman played well in its loss to Fremd, holding the Vikings to just 10 offensive points. But the undermanned Hawks, who were nursing some key injuries, turned the ball over 3 times including an 80-yard interception return. Palatine looks to bounce back after surrendering nearly 400 yards of offense to Conant. It was the second week in arrow that Palatine has struggled defensively and the Pirates need to shore that part of their game up if they are going to make a run at the playoffs. Palatine beat Hoffman Estates 48-7 last year.
St. Viator (3-2, 1-2) at Benet (5-0, 2-0)
Where: Benedictine University, Lisle
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The Lions are headed into their third consecutive game playing an undefeated team. After facing top running backs Matt Ivlow from Joliet Catholic and Chris James from Notre Dame, St. Viator will look to contain Benet junior quarterback Jack Beneventi. St. Viator boasts a strong quarterback of its own in Bobby Calmeyn,. The senior, who has thrown for 1,194 yards and 14 touchdowns, needs to limit turnovers and maintain possession for St. Viator. Benet beat St. Viator last year.
Maine West (1-4, 0-1) at Highland Park (4-1, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Despite their 27-25 loss last week, Maine West made huge strides offensively. The Warriors got strong play from quarterback Joe Marella, who was 20-of-37 for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns. Marella also rushed for 80 yards on 15 carries. Maine West plays a Highland Park team that is coming off its best start in school history. Highland Park beat Maine West last year 42-21.
Hinsdale South (2-3, 2-1) at Leyden (1-4, 1-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Leyden had its opportunities last week in its loss to Downers Grove South. The Eagles piled up 337 yards of offense and recovered a late onside kick. But 3 turnovers did Leyden in. Aaron Whigham, who has rushed for 478 yards, and quarterback Tom Pajor, who has thrown for 346 yards, have the Eagles hosting a Hinsdale South team that gained 270 yards on the ground in its win last week against Addison Trail. Leyden beat Hinsdale South last year 17-14.
Fremd (4-1, 1-0) at Barrington (4-1, 0-1)
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: Barrington hosts its traditional Saturday afternoon homecoming game. Broncos quarterback Dan Kubiuk has begun to look even more comfortable running the Broncos offense and has thrown for 1,044 yards. That was especially evident in the fourth quarter when he drove Barrington for two scores against Schaumburg. Fremd has struggled without quarterback Sam Beutler. In the two games without Beutler, who still holds out hope to return from a severe knee injury, Fremd has managed to score just 10 points. One bright spot on offense has been the play of Jeff McGlade, who has rushed for 508 yards. Fremd beat Barrington 24-7 last year.
Hope Academy (3-2, 3-2) at Christian Liberty (0-5, 0-5)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Outlook: CLA hopes to break out of its slump as the Chargers host Hope Academy. CLA has scored 2 touchdowns this season, both of which came in a close loss to North Shore two weeks ago. CLA, which was led last week by running back Alex Glynn, who gained 79 yards on 19 carries, will need to overcome the 5 turnovers it had last week against Mooseheart. Hope Academy beat Christian Liberty 7-0 last year.