Scouting Week 8, Northwest
Schaumburg (7-0, 3-0) at Fremd (5-2, 2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: Schaumburg continues to roll over its opponents with the Saxons averaging nearly 38 points per game while rushing for over 2,500 yards. Stacey Smith, who leads the area with 1,197 yards, faces a Fremd defense that has allowed an average of 191 rushing yards in its last three games. With a win, Schaumburg can wrap up its first MSL West title since 2010. Fremd quarterback Sam Beutler, who came into last week’s game to throw 5 passes just three weeks after tearing an ACL, is looking to play even more this week, which is good news for the Vikings. With Beutler, Fremd averaged 45 points per game, without him, 16.5. Jeff McGlade leads Fremd with 753 rushing yards. Schaumburg beat Fremd 26-6 last year.
Barrington (6-1, 2-1) at Palatine (4-3, 1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: Barrington earned a playoff spot last week. The Broncos have continued to excel and piled up 415 yards of offense last week. Dan Kubiuk is coming off a 219-yard passing performance, which included a 75-yard hook-up with Scotty Miller, and Dylan Abel continues to shine in the backfield for the Broncos. Palatine, which is coming off a loss to rival Fremd, needs a win in its last two games to clinch a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive year. “We are playing better and better each week,” Palatine coach Rick Splitt said. “We just have to avoid mistakes at key times.” Palatine beat Barrington 38-6 last year.
Conant (4-3, 1-2) at Hoffman Estates (2-5, 0-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The battle for Hoffman Estates features a pair of teams looking to break losing streaks. Conant has dropped its last two, and three of its last four, despite the play of quarterback Danny Modelski, who has thrown for 1,535 yards, and running back Elias Gardner, who has rushed for 395 yards in the last three games. Hoffman Estates, which won its first two games, is trying to snap a five-game losing streak. Sophomore Dante Cleveland, who filled in for the injured Jeff Mayes, rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown last week against Schaumburg. Conant beat Hoffman Estates 48-20 last year.
Hersey (5-2, 3-0) at Rolling Meadows (4-3, 2-1)
When: Friday 7 p.m.
Outlook: Hersey looks to capture its first-ever MSL East football title and clinch the program’s first playoff appearance since 2004. The Huskies are still beaming after their 1-point victory over Elk Grove last week. Quarterback Jack Warner is coming off a career-high 363, 4-touchdown performance while wide receiver Eddie Miklasz had half of those TD catches and 197 receiving yards. Rolling Meadows, which is the defending conference champ, looks to make its homecoming even more special with a win. Should the Mustangs win by 2 points or more and then beat Buffalo Grove next week, the Mustangs would be the official conference champions as determined by IHSA tiebreakers. Bobby Suchecki has thrown 1,391 yards while Kevin Montero has rushed for 545 yards. Rolling Meadows beat Hersey 28-21 last year.
Prospect (1-6, 1-2) at Buffalo Grove (1-6, 0-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: This is a battle of two teams that have struggled to find their identity this year. Prospect suffered a blow last week when the Knights lost sophomore quarterback Matt Drew for the remainder of the season with a broken wrist. Eric Garmoe has rushed for 170 yards over the past two weeks to help spark the Knights’ offense. After a strong performance two weeks ago, Buffalo Grove struggled last week, managing just 28 yards rushing against Wheeling. Quarterback Trey Cervantes continues to impress, throwing for 379 yards since being named a starter two weeks ago. Prospect beat Buffalo Grove 34-14 last year.
Elk Grove (4-3, 2-1) at Wheeling (2-5, 1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Elk Grove is hoping for a more conventional resolution to a game after two heart-stopping 1-point decisions in a row. The Grens, who are lacking in playoff points, may need wins in their final two games to earn a fifth consecutive playoff berth. Grens quarterback Adam O’Malley is coming off of his third consecutive 300-yard game and has thrown for 9 touchdowns in that span. Wheeling bounced back last week with a staunch defensive effort has the Wildcats forced 3 turnovers, led by Tyler Urban’s 2 interceptions. Isaac Branch continues to be Wheeling’s best weapon offensively and has amassed 830 yards rushing. Elk Grove beat Wheeling 48-0 last year.
St. Viator (4-3, 1-3) at Marian Catholic (2-5, 0-4)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: With their playoff points deficient, the Lions need wins in their final two games to earn a second consecutive trip to the state playoffs. They should get a good start this Friday when they make the long road trip to Chicago Heights to face a Marian Catholic team that has lost five straight while surrendering an average of 34.6 points. St. Viator’s offense returned to its high-flying style last week as Bobby Calmeyn threw for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns to move his season totals to 1,740 yards and 17 touchdowns; Ben Dickey increased his season output to 44 catches for 620 yards, and Matt Darling has 42 receptions for 572 yards. St. Viator beat Marian Catholic 31-21 last year.
Maine West (1-6, 0-3) at Glenbrook North (4-3, 3-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Joe Marella continues to shine for the Warriors, putting up 435 yards and 4 touchdowns in Maine West’s 62-40 shootout loss to Deerfield. Tommy Hennessy has become Marella’s favorite receiver, pulling down 6 catches, 3 of which went for touchdowns while rolling up 207 yards. But the Warriors, who permitted 438 yards rushing against them last week , need to shore up a defense that has allowed 35.9 points per game. Glenbrook North is making its traditional run through the Central Suburban North and has scored 131 points in its last three games, all of which were conference play. Glenbrook North beat Maine West 41-3 last year.
Willowbrook (5-2, 3-1) at Leyden (2-5, 2-2)
When: Friday 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Leyden is coming off its best game of the season. The Eagles manhandled Morton on both sides of the ball, with the defense giving up just 1 first down in the second half. Leyden will need that effort if it hopes to contain Willowbrook quarterback Brian Johnson, who has thrown for 2,624 yards and 25 touchdowns. Leyden running back Aaron Whigham, who is coming off a 200-yard performance, is averaging 7.1 yards per carry while quarterback Tom Pajor has thrown for 469 yards. Leyden beat Willowbrook 42-0 last year.
Christian Liberty Academy (0-7, 0-7) at Westminster Christian (0-7, 0-7)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Outlook: CLA looks to get on the winning side against a team that is in its first year of football. CLA has struggled offensively all season. The Eagles have been shut out in 6 of their 7 games while scoring just 12 points, all of in a loss to North Shore. But the Eagles face a Westminster defense that has been porous, allowing an average of 50.3 points per game. Westminster has not scored in its last two games.