Hersey, Rolling Meadows in key East matchup

Hersey (4-4, 3-1) at Rolling Meadows (5-3, 3-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Hersey 48, Rolling Meadows 6

Outlook: Both teams come in looking for a win to continue their season into the state playoffs. With a win and a Wheeling loss, Hersey would capture the East title outright for the second consecutive year. But if the Huskies fall, they will miss the playoffs for the first time in three years. Hersey will need to recover from their loss last week to Wheeling. And in order to do that, the Huskies must find a way to limit Rolling Meadows quarterback Asher O'Hara, who has thrown 14 TD passes with just 2 interceptions. Kevin Lacosse has also been very steady for the Mustangs, rushing for 782 yards. A win and Rolling Meadows is the East champion, with a fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs and 12th in the last 13 years. But a loss drops them to 5-4 for the season and they enter the game with just 29 playoff points, which would put them on the bubble for a state playoff bid.