Scouting Week 2, Northwest
MID-SUBURBAN CROSSOVERSRolling Meadows (1-0) at Conant (0-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Meadows got the start they wanted by rolling past St. Viator last week. The Mustangs' offense struggled at times last week, but picked up its pace as the game went on. The defense, led by Nick Delporte, Kevin Haltman and Justin Thompson, had a pair of interceptions and a blocked punt. That defense will look to shine for the second week in a row against a Conant offense that had trouble finding its way. The Cougars, who switched to an option offense, had more yards in penalties (118) than they did offensively (112). But Bill Modelski, who is in his final year as head coach, figures to make the adjustments necessary to get back in their groove.
Prospect (1-0) at Barrington (1-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: This is the only area game that features a pair of unbeaten teams. Prospect got off to a sweet start last week by knocking off 2015 semifinalist Hinsdale South. Prospect quarterback Andrew Shafis rushed for 100 yards and 2 TD's in his debut as a signal caller. Shafis and the Knights went power football behind Billy Matzek, Vince Shields, Brennan Keane, Evan Sadlon, Alex Palczewski, Oliver Pagano and Sam Stolidakis. The Knights will get a very good look at power football, Barrington-style. The Broncos put up huge numbers in their win over Glenbrook South, scoring 41 points while rushing for 221 yards and throwing for 138 others. New quarterback Ray Niro stepped looked comfortable, rushing for 93 yards.
Elk Grove (0-1) at Palatine (1-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Bend but don't break is alive and well in Palatine again this season. The Palatine defense came into this season with questions regarding its ability to compete a high level. They answered all their critics with their performance last week in the Pirate win over Stevenson. Palatine forced 4 turnovers and came up with a huge stop in the closing minute to preserve the victory. Elk Grove, which won a pair of games last season, is hoping to get things going after a loss last week to Libertyville. The Grens trailed just 6-0 at the half before Libertyville pulled away. Elk Grove is hoping to get its offense going after gaining just 36 yards last week.
Fremd (0-1) at Hersey (0-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: This is a turnaround game both teams need after disappointing losses a week ago. Hersey will need a find a way not to dig as deep a hole as it did last week when the Huskies found themselves trailing 40-6. But Hersey should be buoyed by the play of quarterback Owen Goldsberry, who rushed 110 yards. Fremd went from a high to a low in just a few seconds last week, losing on a last-second touchdown to Lake Zurich. Fremd, which was stymied for the first three quarters, found its offense behind Tommy Josten, who threw for 227 yards. The Vikings are hoping to get their running game going after it gained just 6 yards last week.
Wheeling (0-1) at Schaumburg (0-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Just into the second week of the season, playoff hopes could be on the line for both of these teams after they dropped their openers last week. Wheeling got off to a slow start offensively and defensively, spotting Glenbrook 3 touchdowns before the Wildcats got going in a 45-29 loss. Jalen Dennis accounted for 300 yards of offense for Wheeling, rushing for 185 yards and passing for 115. Schaumburg had high hopes for its defensive backfield with six of seven starters back. But St. Charles North passed for 421 yards and 5 touchdowns last week. The Saxons look to shore that up this week and also get their offense, which did not score a second-half point, back in gear.
Hoffman Estates (1-0) at Buffalo Grove (0-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Hoffman Estates got out to a fabulous start last week by blanking Streamwood. The Hawks, who lost their best skill players to graduation, barely looked like they missed a beat, rolling up 355 yards of offense behind junior quarterback Austin Miller-Colston. The Hawks' defense, led by La' Mere Barnes, Dan Farina, Shawn Brown and Eric Delaney, helped keep Streamwood in check. They will need the same kind of effort against a Buffalo Grove team that scored 25 points in a losing effort last week to Niles West. The Bison had a balanced attack offensively, gaining 331 yards behind quarterback Connor Adams who passed for 174 yards and rushed for another 21.
WEST SUBURBAN CROSSOVERLeyden (1-0, 0-0) at York (0-1, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: York 21, Leyden 14
Outlook: Leyden and coach Tom Cerasani feel that they have something special going on. And after the Eagles thumped Fenton 46-0 last week in their season opener, they may have a case. With their two-headed monster of running backs Donovan Brown and Fabian Vega, Leyden piled up 395 yards rushing. Meanwhile the defense, led by Kevin Nevrez, Taylor Morioka and Jake Wojcik held Fenton to 82 yards of total offense, including minus-11 yards rushing. York gave New Trier everything it could handle last week before losing 14-10.
NONCONFERENCESt. Viator (0-1) at St. Francis (0-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: It was not the start that Lions' coach Dave Archibald had hoped for. First he lost Notre Dame commit Cole Kmet to mono. Then his Lions had a subpar performance in a 30-7 loss. With Kmet on the shelf, Viator's offense was stagnant at times, rushing for just 10 yards. The passing game was much better, with 199 yards, but the 2 interceptions and 2 fumbles hurt them. The Lions hope to bounce back against a St. Francis team that was manhandled by Geneva 45-7.
Larkin (1-0) at Maine West (1-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Maine West got off to a terrific start last week. Now the Warriors will look to make it two in a row against a Larkin team that held off Mundelein 32-26 last week. Maine West showed that it had defense on its mind by holding a speedy Proviso East squad to just 2 first downs. The defense led by Malik Siem, Ely Grimmer and Joe Bellizzi limited the Pirates to just 2 yards rushing and 38 yards of total offense. The Warriors hope to continue to have rushing success with Anthony Henley, who had 161 yards and Marteen Robinson, who added 53 yards, leading the way.