Mid-Suburban Week 6: Conant meets Barrington with first place on the line
Conant (5-0, 1-0) at Barrington (5-0, 1-0)
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Last year: Barrington 42, Conant 7
Outlook: The area's top two teams square off with first place on the line at the annual Saturday homecoming game at Barrington. Both teams have run and passed the ball with authority this season. Conant goes with its 1-2 punch in running back Jake Jakubosky, who has rushed for 653 yards and quarterback Kyle Bradley, who has run for 277 yards while throwing for 927 yards. Barrington counters with the bruising Nate King, who has run for 644 yards and quarterback Johnny Davidson, who has 479 yards on the ground and 869 yards in the air. The difference maker could be Conant's Palmer Graham, who has the ability to catch the ball and defend against the pass on defense.
Palatine (4-1, 1-0) at Fremd (4-1, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Palatine 24, Fremd 17
Outlook: The annual crosstown matchup looks to be a defining game for both teams. Palatine comes in with a 4-game winning streak after losing its season opener to Stevenson. But the Pirates still have Conant and Barrington remaining on their schedule. Palatine needs a win here to keep its momentum going. The Pirates have had success thanks to the play of a defense led by Dillon McHugh and Mike Williams that has allowed just 15 points per game. Fremd stumbled last week against Conant, allowing over 500 yards of offense. The Vikings, who still have yet to play Barrington, look to regroup behind Kenny Lyke and Matt McCabe and hope to slow down Palatine's high-powered offense. Fremd has given up 78 of its 116 total points allowed, in the second half. Palatine has won 3 of the last 4 meetings.
Hoffman Estates (2-3, 0-1) at Schaumburg (3-2, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Hoffman Estates 28, Schaumburg 14
Outlook: Despite a loss last week to Barrington, Schaumburg continues to impress. The Saxons led Barrington early and made a huge run at the end before succumbing by a touchdown. Schaumburg, which has its eyes on a playoff berth, will need that kind of effort against a scrappy Hoffman Estates team. The Hawks were hoping that this is year they could qualify. But they have fallen on tough times since a season-ending injury to Dante Cleveland, losing 3 of their last 4 games. Schaumburg quarterback Justin Perez has continued to run the offense effectively for the Saxons, passing for 748 yards, which is more than the previous two Schaumburg teams had thrown for in an entire season.
Buffalo Grove (0-1, 1-4) at Hersey (2-3, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Buffalo Grove 26, Hersey 19
Outlook: After a season-opening victory, Buffalo Grove has dropped 4 in a row, including a tough overtime loss to Elk Grove last week. The Bison, who gave Hersey its only conference loss last season, need to win out to have any chance at a playoff spot. The continued bright spot has been the passing by Trey Cervantes, who leads the area with 1,099 yards. Hersey's defense, led by Nate Lebherz and Will Nicholson, shut down Prospect's vaunted running game last week and hope to do that to Buffalo Grove's passing attack this week. Meanwhile, the Huskies' quarterback rotation of Owen Goldberry and Tommy Jackson is beginning to pay dividends.
Rolling Meadows (3-2, 1-0) at Elk Grove (1-4, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Rolling Meadows 28, Elk Grove 21
Outlook: The 64 points that Rolling Meadows scored last week was the highest point total by a Mustangs squad going back at least 20 seasons. Rolling Meadows hopes that its offensive developments continue with running back Kevin Lacosse, who is coming off a 239-yard performance and has 539 yards for the season, continues. Elk Grove broke a 14-game losing streak with its overtime victory over Buffalo Grove last week. The Grens and coach John Sigmund will be looking for their second win a row behind the play of wide receiver Joey Gatziolis, who is second in the area with 30 receptions for 510 yards.
Prospect (1-4, 0-1) at Wheeling (0-5, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Prospect 45, Wheeling 42, 2OT
Outlook: The playoffs begin this week for Prospect, because with a loss in any of their final 4 games, the Knights will not qualify for the state playoffs. Prospect has run the ball with authority in its first 5 games. They are led by the area's top rusher in Bobby Jarosz, who has run for 720 yards, along with Matt Drew (346) and Andrew Shafis (260). Prospect faces a Wheeling team that has been very generous defensively, allowing 46.5 points per game. But the Wildcats can also put up some points thanks to the play of quarterback Jalen Dennis, who has rushed for 254 yards and thrown for another 494 yards.