Football: Scouting Week 7, Northwest
Rolling Meadows (5-1, 2-0) at Buffalo Grove (4-2, 2-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Rolling Meadows 47, Buffalo Grove 28
Outlook: A guge matchup in the East, with first place on the line. Rolling Meadows has been impressive with its play in recent weeks. The Mustangs have bounced back nicely since their loss to Palatine in Week 2. While quarterback RJ Mattucci, who has rushed for 591 yards and thrown for another 774, has been the main ingredient on offense, the Mustangs unveiled running back Antonio Atencio, who ran for 163 yards and touchdown last week. Buffalo Grove, which had just won 4 games in the previous 3 years, just keeps finding ways to win. If it is not the play of quarterback John Maddox, who has done a superb job in relief, it is the blocking of the offensive line led by center Anthony Barra or the key defensive plays by Johnny Asquini and Alex Horvat. The Bison are on the verge of their first playoff season since 2003.
Elk Grove (0-6, 0-2) at Hersey (3-3, 1-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Hersey 43, Elk Grove 42
Outlook: Elk Grove just can't seem to break through on the win side despite dominating play in the second half against Wheeling. Sean Fege and Matt Wary have kept the Grens offense on track. But the pair may have a difficult time against Hersey's pass defense. The Huskie secondary held Buffalo Grove to just 20 passing yards last week. While the defense has been stout, Hersey has struggled to score points, averaging just 14 points per game. Special teams have also hurt the Huskies. They allowed a punt return for a touchdown last week while also missing a field goal. They also missed a field goal earlier this season against Hoffman Estates. In both instances, it may have cost Hersey victories.
Wheeling (3-3, 1-1) at Prospect (0-6, 0-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Prospect 10, Wheeling 7
Outlook: This is a game that Wheeling has to have in order to continue their playoff run. The Wildcats have been putting up yards on offense, but have scored just 4 touchdowns in their last three games. Amani Dennis, who has rushed for 365 yards while passing for 662 yards, has been the key to Wheeling's offense. Isaac Branch, who returned in week 3, has run for 418 yards in the last 4 games. Prospect has improved each week and look to turn that into a few wins to close out the season. The Knights were able to get Matt Drew back at quarterback, and he threw for 123 yards.
Tune in: Live video streaming on High School Cube at football.dailyherald.com.
Fremd (5-1, 2-0) at Palatine (4-2, 2-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Fremd 28, Palatine 26
Outlook: The neighborhood rivalry has a lot at stake again this year. Fremd is playing its best football right now. The Vikings have been manhandling opponents, outscoring them 194-27 in the last 5 games. That is mostly due to its huge offensive line which is anchored by Christian Lombard and Jake Plantz. While the line is getting off the ball and opening holes, running backs Jawan Ganes and Darius Burchett along with quarterbacks Nick Bossong and Cordell Finley have the offense gaining nearly 400 yards per game. Palatine has a huge running threat of its own in Chris Cornelius, who has had three 200-yard rushing games in a row. Cornelius, who gets to run behind an offensive line led by Carsten Andersen, leads the area with 984 yards and is averaging 7.3 yards per carry. If the Fremd defense concentrates too much on Cornelius, the Nick Orlando, who has thrown for 880 yards could exploit them with receivers Matt Lamm, Dan Garcia, Joey Roy and Javone Stricker.
Schaumburg (1-5, 0-2) at Conant (2-4, 0-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Schaumburg 41, Conant 21
Outlook: The Battle of Woodfield is between a pair of teams that are looking to turn their seasons around after both qualified for the playoffs the last two years. Conant has lost three in a row after a strong start and is looking to make a playoff push. Jake Jakubosky gave the Cougars a much-needed running boost with his 59 yards rushing last week to up his season total to 438 yards. Schaumburg, which has scored just 1 touchdown in each of its last two games, will also look to the ground. Justice Macneal-Smith, who has 563 yards and is averaging just under 5 yards per carry has been a bright spot offensively for the Saxons this season.
Tune in: Live video streaming on High School Cube at football.dailyherald.com.
Barrington (6-0, 2-0) at Hoffman Estates (3-3, 0-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Barrington 41, Hoffman Estates 0
Outlook: Barrington has been impressive the last three weeks, getting each game to a running clock by halftime. The Broncos have scored 147 points and allowed just 2 touchdowns during that stretch. Johnny Davidson has completed 77 percent of his passes with 14 touchdown passes and just 2 interceptions this year. Mitch Pfeiffer, Scotty Miller, Dylan Bingham and Seamus Moran make up a talented quartet of receivers. Davidson and the Broncos hope to continue that success against a Hoffman team that has allowed over 400 yards of offense in each of its last two games. But the Hawks' worst enemy may be themselves with their team penalized 15 times for 160 yards last week.
Maine West (1-5, 0-2) at Deerfield (2-4, 1-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Deerfield 62, Maine West 40
Outlook: Maine West will need to shore up its defense since it has been torched for 202 points in the last 4 games. The Warriors may have a tough time against a Deerfield team that is coming off a 35-point performance against defending conference champion Glenbrook North last week where fullback Johnny Fisher rushed for 216 yards. The Maine West offense, which was shut out for the second time this year last week, will look to regroup.
Marian Central Catholic (4-2, 2-2) vs. St. Viator (3-3, 2-2)at Forest View
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: St. Viator needs a win this week if the Lions hope to make the playoffs. They will be making their first trip to Woodstock to play the East Suburban Catholic's newest member. St. Viator will be looking to shore up its run defense, which allowed Carmel to run 71 rushing plays last week and thus keep the ball away from the Lions' potent offense. Both Viator and Marian Central like to throw the ball and their offenses show it, with each team averaging nearly 30 points per game. Viator quarterback Tyler Johnston has thrown for 1,683 yards and 9 touchdowns while Hurricane quarterback Billy Bahl has thrown for 1,221 yards and 10 touchdowns with just 1 interception.
Tune in: Live video streaming on High School Cube at football.dailyherald.com.
Leyden (0-6, 0-3) at Morton (2-4, 2-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Leyden 28, Morton 0
Outlook: Leyden has gone through a tough stretch the past few weeks playing the tops teams in the West Suburban Gold. But the Eagles hope to finish strong over the final three weeks of the season, playing teams near the bottom of the conference. Morton is averaging just over 10 points, which is good news for a Leyden defense that has surrendered an average that is twice as much. Tom Pajor hopes to get things going offensively for Leyden, which has scored just 6 touchdowns this year.
Rockford Christian Life (6-0, 6-0) at Christian Liberty Academy (0-6, 0-6)When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Last year's result: Rockford Christian Life 55, CLA 0
Outlook: It went from bad to worse last week for CLA as the Chargers allowed 82 points. Now they face the top team in the Northeastern Athletic Conference in Rockford Christian Life, which is unbeaten this year. But the good news for coach Dave Daniels squad is that they have not given up and have played hard in all their games this year.