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Scouting Week 7, Northwest

Hersey (4-2, 2-0) at Elk Grove (4-2, 2-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights

Outlook: The winner of this one moves into first place in the Mid-Suburban East all by themselves. Elk Grove is still riding a high from its miracle finish last week. “The boys just believed they could get it done,” Elk Grove coach Larry Calhoun said. The Grens are able to fly high thanks to the passing of Adam O’Malley, who had his second consecutive 300-yard passing night, moving him over 1,500 yards for the season. Ryan Tickner leads the area with 4 interceptions. Hersey has struggled in its last two games, but the Huskies have found a way to come out on top in the end. Jack Warner is also getting the Huskies’ air show aloft, tossing a pair of touchdown passes last week. Hersey beat Elk Grove last year 33-30 in double overtime.

Wheeling (1-5, 0-2) at Buffalo Grove (1-5, 0-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Outlook: Both teams need a win badly after being officially eliminated from state playoff contention last week when both suffered their fifth loss of the season. Wheeling’s Isaac Branch continues to impress, upping his season total to 635 yards as the Wildcats look to have their offensive line at near full strength. Buffalo Grove had a pair of key turnovers in its loss to Hersey last week. Bison quarterback Trey Cervantes was impressive delivering a 20-of-28 passing performance for 231 yards and a touchdown. Wheeling beat Buffalo Grove last year 12-8.

Rolling Meadows (3-3, 1-1) at Prospect (1-5, 1-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Outlook: Rolling Meadows is still smarting from its tough last-second loss last week. The Mustangs forced 4 turnovers, got a safety and gained over 400 yards but still came up a bit short. “Our guys have lots of resolve,” Rolling Meadows coach Matt Mishler said. “They know they can come back from this.” Kevin Montero has been a workhorse the past two games for Meadows and is coming off of a 127-yard performance to bring his season total to 489 yards. After a tough double overtime loss two weeks ago, Prospect found a way to get into the win column last week for the first time this season. Rolling Meadows beat Prospect 49-28 last year.

Conant (4-2, 1-1) at Barrington (5-1, 1-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights

Outlook: Barrington showed that no lead is safe around the Broncos. For the fourth time this season they were able to stampede back and stun Fremd. The Broncos pulled out all the stops, using eight different players to run the ball, led by junior running back Dylan Abel. “We like to have the ball in many different players’ hands,” Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said. Scotty Miller showed how dangerous he can be. Miller nearly returned a kick for a touchdown and picked off two passes. Conant lost a lead to Schaumburg in the fourth quarter last week and yielded 345 yards on the ground. Danny Modelski, who threw for 291 yards and 2 touchdowns, upped his season total to nearly 1,300 yards. Conant beat Barrington last year 35-28.

Hoffman Estates (2-4, 0-2) at Schaumburg (6-0, 2-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Outlook: Schaumburg continues to find a way to steamroll its opponents on the ground. The Saxons have been relentless, averaging 364 rushing yards in its first 6 games. The Saxons boast the area’s top two rushers. Stacey Smith continues to dazzle and is coming off a 201-yard rushing effort to move his season total to 1,029, while Justice Macneal-Young has tallied 603 yards. Hoffman Estates got quarterback Jeff Mayes back from an injury. But the Hawks were not able to find the end zone and managed just 187 yards of offense and accumulated 135 penalty yards last weekend at Palatine. Schaumburg beat Hoffman 57-7 last year.

Palatine 4-2, 1-1) at Fremd (4-2, 1-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights

Outlook: The bragging rights for Palatine are on the line again, and expect a huge overflow crowd for a terrific rivalry game. Palatine got back on track last week with an impressive shutout victory. Nick Orlando, who has thrown for 841 yards, spread out the ball last week, throwing to 5 different receivers. His chief target has been Eric Theis, who has 27 receptions for 354 yards. Fremd, which will be hosting its first annual alumni tailgate party before the game, continues to try to find itself offensively. The Vikings have struggled without quarterback Sam Beutler but did put up 21 points last week against Barrington despite 3 turnovers. When the Vikings do score, kicker Andrew Stark has been a huge weapon, with 26 of his 34 kickoffs going as touchbacks. Palatine beat Fremd 24-17 last year.

South Bend Washington (0-7) vs. St. Viator (3-3)

Where: at Forest View Educational Central, Arlington Heights

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Outlook: After three tough East Suburban Catholic Conference games where the Lions faced undefeated teams, St. Viator faces a Washington team that has not scored in 13 quarters and has been outscored 267-52 on the season. St. Viator will look to get its offense back in gear and thrill its homecoming crowd behind QB Bobby Calmeyn, who has 13 TD passes and has thrown for 1,493 yards. Matt Darling, who has 42 receptions for 506 yards and Ben Dickey, who has 39 receptions for 578 yards, are among the area leaders, and Michael Piet had a 23-yard TD grab last weekend against Benet. St. Viator beat Washington last year 52-20.

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

When: Friday 7:30 p.m.

Outlook: Joey Marella has sparked the Warriors since entering the lineup a couple weeks ago when Matt Swanson went down with an injury. Last week Marella threw for 293 yards and ran for 76 yards 2 touchdowns as the Warriors gave CSL North conference-leader Highland Park everything it could handle. Maine West takes on a Deerfield team that has lost its last 5 games and has allowed over 40 points in 4 of those games. Deerfield beat Maine West last year 35-7.

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

When: Friday 7:30 p.m.

Outlook: Leyden found itself on the outside looking in after dropping its fifth game of the season to be eliminated from the state playoffs. The Eagles, who were West Suburban Gold champs last year, struggled offensively last week, managing just 3 points and 149 yards of total offense while turning the ball over 3 times. The Eagles should be able to do much better against a Morton team that has allowed an average of 34 points. Leyden running back Aaron Whigham, who has held to 60 yards last week, upped his season total to 538 yards on the season. Leyden beat Morton 20-0 last year.

Christian Liberty (0-6, 0-6) at Rockford Christian Life (5-1, 5-1)

When: Friday 7 p.m.

Outlook: The Chargers had a difficult time with Hope last week, as CLA was shut out for the fifth time this year. It doesn’t figure to get any easier this weekend against a defensively stout Rockford Christian Life team. The Eagles have posted three consecutive shutouts and have allowed only 60 points all season. Rockford Christian Life beat Christian Liberty last year 24-21.

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