Week 4: Scouting the Mid-Suburban East
Maine East (1-2) at Buffalo Grove (3-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Buffalo Grove is on a stampede, and it sure looks like it will be difficult to stop the Bison this week. Buffalo Grove is coming off an impressive win over Maine West with Justin Gold leading the way with 5 sacks and the Bison offense piling up 404 yards. Buffalo Grove has allowed just 1 TD per game, and the Bison should be able to repeat that effort against a Maine East team that has scored just 1 TD in its last 2 games.
Niles North (1-2) at Elk Grove (0-3)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Quarterback Tyler Selvig is coming off a superb game for Elk Grove in which he ran for 3 TDs and threw for another. The Grens have played 3 solid opponents in their first 3 games, with those foes posting a combined 9-0 mark. Despite that, Elk Grove gave both Barrington and Glenbrook North pause in the last two games. Look for Elk Grove coach Miles Osei and his young squad to put together another solid effort. Niles North is coming off a 41-7 thrashing by Schaumburg.
Highland Park (0-3) at Prospect (1-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: The youth movement at Prospect has been maturing quite nicely. After losing a tight game two weeks ago, the Knights broke through last week with their first win of the season in impressive fashion. Quarterback Jimmy Martin and running back Michael Shafis have become a strong tandem while the defense, led by Brennan Keane, Shafis, Michael Cima, Ty Lussow and Adam Mekky, pitched the teams' first shutout since 2012. They will need to be in top form to slow down Highland Park, which threw for 225 yards last week in their loss to Hersey.
Maine West (2-1) at Wheeling (1-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Maine West will need to guard against the kind of slow start it had against Buffalo Grove last week. The Warriors' offensive line, which surrendered 9 sacks, will be matched up against a Wheeling front that has given its opponent fits thus far. Maine West will be looking to regain momentum before heading into CSL North play next week and hopes to get it from the passing from George Markakis. Wheeling got coach Brian Hauck his first career win last week. The Wildcats did it by shutting down Maine East and not allowing the Demons to complete a pass while allowing just 53 yards of offense.
Niles West (0-3) at Hersey (2-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Owen Goldsberry has the Huskies offense firing on all cylinders. Goldsberry, who is coming off a 252-yard rushing effort last week, leads a Hersey group hoping to exploit a defense that allowed 395 total yards last week. The Hersey defense, led by linebackers Nick Wiley, Caleb Augustyn and Colton Kamysz, has been stout this year. After allowing an average of 31 points last year, Hersey has cut that number to 8 this season.
Deerfield (1-2) at Rolling Meadows (2-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Did not play
Outlook: Rolling Meadows has stepped up its game since an opening-night loss. The Mustangs blanked Fremd and rolled past Vernon Hills last week. Tym Szylajk, who is a junior, had an impressive debut last week, rushing for 227 yards and 4 TDs. Arek Kleniuk is doing a fine job at quarterback after 3 starts and has thrown for 403 yards. Deerfield has been held to a touchdown in both of its losses and is coming off a 34-7 loss to Hoffman Estates.