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Scouting Week 4, Northwest

Barrington (3-0) at Evanston (3-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: While the Broncos have been running wild, it has been the plowboys that have done the dirty work. With an offensive line of Nick Bart, John Stefan, Mark Bach, Brad Warman and Eric Padilla, Barrington piled up 294 yards on the ground last week and 925 yards so far this season. And when opponents stack the box in an attempt to stop the run, quarterback Ray Niro, who has thrown for 410 yards, has picked defenses apart. The Broncos face an Evanston team that is undefeated but hasn't yet played top competition.

Conant (0-3) at Maine South (1-2)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Conant played its best game of the season thus far last week but still came up a bit short against Evanston. Conant scored more points last week (17) than the Cougars had in the previous two weeks combined (7) thanks to the strong running of Jack Reiger. They face a Maine South team that surrendered 294 rushing yards to Barrington last week. The Cougars and Maine South last met in the 2012 playoffs in a game won by Maine South 27-13.

Hoffman Estates (3-0) at Maine East (1-2)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Hoffman Estates made a huge statement by blasting Maine West last week. Now the Hawks could go 4-0 for the first time since the early 90's. Hoffman Estates has been piling up the yardage on offense thanks to the solid play at quarterback by junior Autsin Miller-Coalson, who has thrown for 627 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Hawks will have to make sure they don't look past lowly Maine East, which has won just 15 games in the last 11-plus seasons.

Fremd (2-1) at Glenbrook South (0-3)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: This is the ultimate trap game for Fremd. The Vikings are coming off of an impressive victory over New Trier and a week from now, face Barrington. Sandwiched between is Friday's game with Glenbrook South, a team that is winless with losses to both Palatine and Barrington. Fremd, which struggled offensively early in the season, appears to have things going coming off a 45-point, 371-yard performance against New Trier.

Palatine (3-0) at New Trier (2-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: After an epic battle in Week 1 with Stevenson, Palatine's schedule has been less challenging the past two weeks. So this is a great test for Palatine before conference play begins next week. Palatine became a bit more balanced offensively last week with Zach Oles throwing for 177 yards and the Pirates rushing for 187. The Pirates' defense has been stout, especially the last two weeks, allowing just 20 points. Expect that trend to continue against a New Trier team that allowed 45 points in the first loss of the season last week to Fremd.

Schaumburg (2-1) at Highland Park (3-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Schaumburg had expected its defense to carry the day for the Saxons. But while they have struggled in the first 3 games, it has been the offense to the rescue. Schaumburg has scored 35 points in each of its last two games and Schaumburg has come away a winner in both. Justin Perez has directed the Saxons offense that has averaged 350 yards in the last two games. Dakari Ferguson has been a game-breaker, with an interception return and kickoff return for touchdowns. Highland Park looks like the class of the CSL North and is averaging 45 points per game, so this will be a good test for Schaumburg

Hersey (0-3) at Niles North (0-3)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Hersey did everything but win its game last week as the Huskies easily played their best game of the season. They were able to rally from a 21-0 deficit behind the play of Owen Golsdberry, who ran for a pair TDs and threw for another just to fall short on a failed 2-point conversion. With some momentum, the Huskies now take on a Niles North team that has allowed 33 points per game.

Buffalo Grove (1-2) at Vernon Hills (2-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Despite being so close to each, this is the first time the two schools have met on the gridiron. Buffalo Grove and coach Jeff Vlk picked up their first win of the season, matching their total from last season. The Bison, who have played well offensively thanks to quarterback Connor Adams and running back Chase Marsh, have also stepped it up defensively in the past two weeks. They will need that effort to slow down a Vernon Hills team that is averaging 27 points.

Elk Grove (0-3) at Niles West (2-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Elk Grove has arguably played the toughest first 3 games to begin this season. The Grens have lost to Libertyville, Palatine and Highland Park - teams that have a combined 8-1 record. The test gets a little easier, but not much, with a Niles West team that lost its first game last week against Schuamburg. If the Grens can get running back Genio Hyppolite some room, he could cause some damage against a Niles team that surrendered 153 rushing yards.

Prospect (2-1) at Glenbrook North (3-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Prospect bounced back very nicely last week after their loss to Barrington. The Knights' game Friday should be a very nice showdown between a pair of teams on the rise. Prospect has found its feet last week by rushing for 455 yards. The Knights, who have a huge offensive line, showed that they know how to stay behind them as quarterback Andrew Shafis, sophomore Michael Shafis and Brandon Onori each gained over 100 yards last week. Glenbrook North has allowed over 20 points per game. But the Spartans have been no slouch offensively, averaging 36 points per game.

Rolling Meadows (3-0) at Maine West (2-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Rolling Meadows came into the season with high expectations. And the Mustangs have yet to disappoint. Behind quarterback Asher O'Hara, the Mustangs have scored 126 points. The defense has allowed just 28, most of which has come in the closing minutes when the outcome was not in doubt. Maine West had been on a roll coming into their Week 3 game with Hoffman Estates. But in that one the Warriors allowed 467 yards and 48 points.

Wheeling (1-2) at Deerfield (2-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Wheeling desperately needed a win last week, and the Wildcats and quarterback Amani Dennis delivered one against Vernon Hills. Dennis was a one-man wrecking crew combining for 356 yards with his legs and arm. Dennis is a 1,000-yard man already this season, throwing for 488 yards while rushing for 526. But it was the Wildcats' defense, which had been abused to the tune of 80 points, that also helped turn the tide by allowing just 14 points and just 26 yards rushing to Vernon Hills. Deerfield comes in after losing its first game of the season to Buffalo Grove.

St. Viator (2-1, 1-0) at Benet (2-1, 1-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: St. Viator is on a 2-game winning streak and hopes are high for the Lions. They should be buoyed by the return of Cole Kmet, which should take some of the attention from Darreontae Jackson, who has rushed for over 260 yards in each of the Lions' last two games. St. Viator has become a run-first team, and that has helped take the pressure off of quarterback Tommy Majerus. Viator has not beaten Benet since 2006 and the task won't be any easier this season as Benet has beaten Notre Dame and Marian Central.

Leyden (2-1) at Lyons (3-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Lyons 10, Leyden 7

Outlook: The Eagles got back to their winning ways by rolling over Proviso East. But as easy as the task was a week ago, it will be just as hard this week facing off against a Lyons team that has allowed just 27 points in their first 3 games. Leyden will counter with an offense led by Donovan Brown, who brings in a lofty 7.3 yards-per-carry average. The Eagles have passed when they needed to with QB Michael Wilms connecting on 28-of-49 passes for 366 yards.

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