Scouting Week 2 in the Northwest suburbs
Fremd (1-0) at Hersey (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Fremd def. Lake Zurich, 24-6; Hersey def. Lincoln-Way West, 35-21.
Last year: Hersey def. Fremd, 36-20.
Outlook: There was a big crowd at last week's home opener for Hersey, and it will likely be even bigger for week 2 as Fremd, a local rival and one of the top teams in the Mid-Suburban League, will be stationed on the visiting sideline.
“This is a big game for us,” Fremd coach Lou Sponsel said. “But as I look at our schedule, there is no game on there over these first four weeks that I wouldn't call a big game. We really pushed our guys this summer, because we knew that they were really going to be tested with some very good teams early on.”
The Vikings opened with Lake Zurich, a team they lost to last year, and then will play Class 8A titans Maine South and Evanston in weeks 3 and 4.
“We want our guys to be tested because by the time we hit the MSL West (in week 5) we will know exactly who we are,” Sponsel said.
Against Lake Zurich last week, Fremd was a very balanced team, rolling up 359 yards of offense, 190 yards through the air and 169 yards on the ground.
“Our kids had a lot of fun against Lake Zurich,” Sponsel said. “They played very relaxed, there was no tension or nervousness. They played as a team. It was like already (in week 1), they got what it is all about.”
The Vikings got a big game out of junior quarterback Ryan Saxe, who ran for a touchdown and passed for two more, including a 29-yard touchdown to his older brother Andrew. Ryan Saxe completed 14-of-20 passes.
“It's fun to watch that dynamic between them,” Sponsel said of the brothers.
Like Saxe, Hersey quarterback Jordan Hansen also opened the 2019 season with big numbers. He scored an eye-popping 5 touchdowns, threw for 272 yards and ran for 120 yards. Hansen, who began last week with 2 huge passing plays for touchdowns (a 50-yard touchdown to Ben Clawson and a 75-yard touchdown to Jimmy Matanovic), seems to have made a breezy transition into his new role under center. Last year, he was a running back and a defensive back for the Huskies.
But while Hansen and the offense rolled up a total of 458 yards, Hersey also racked up its share of penalties. Overall, Hersey was tagged for 10 penalties for more than 100 yards.
“We've got to fix things for (Fremd),” Hansen said of the penalties after last week's win. “We're looking to come out more prepared.”
Buffalo Grove (0-1) at Barrington (0-1)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Buffalo Grove lost to Downers Grove North 35-14; Barrington lost to Warren 16-6
Last year: Barrington 37, Buffalo Grove 0
Outlook: Barrington comes home after a physical game last week and looks to get some points on the board. The Broncos were able to move the ball against a stout Warren defense, but couldn't capitalize at times. The first home game will give them an opportunity to post their 500th victory in program history on their new turf. Buffalo Grove, which led at halftime last week, will look to improve on their running defense which allowed 330 yards. The Bison played well at times, but faltered down the stretch and are looking to change that situation this week.
Elk Grove (0-1) at Conant (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Elk Grove lost to Hoffman Estates 40-16; Conant beat Addison Trail 54-7
Last year: Conant 33, Elk Grove 10
Outlook: The Elk Grove Mayor's Cup will be at stake here. Elk Grove was trailing just 20-16 at halftime last week and the Grens are looking to play two halves of football. They will be looking for another huge game from Ian Ridge, who piled up 152 yards last week. Ridge may have has hands full against a Conant team that allowed just 15 yards rushing last week. The Cougars, who piled up 396 rushing yards last week, will be looking to pick up where they left off.
Hoffman Estates (1-0) at Prospect (1-0)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Last week: Hoffman Estates beat Elk Grove 40-16; Prospect beat St. Viator 46-28
Last year: Hoffman Estates 24, Prospect 6
Outlook: Get out the stopwatches — this will be a game between a pair of teams that like to go fast. Hoffman's athleticism showed last week as did its balance on offense. Max Lock and Mehki Williams each rushed the ball 23 times while quarterback Jojo Lovelace threw the ball 21 times. Prospect showed its offensive chops with quarterback Gary Moeller throwing for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns while rushing for another. Luke Zardzin rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown.
Palatine (0-1) at Rolling Meadows (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Palatine lost to St. Charles North 24-14; Rolling Meadows beat Glenbrook South 31-14
Last year: Rolling Meadows 56, Palatine 28
Outlook: Things looked very promising for Palatine last week when the Pirates led at the half. But a couple of key injuries on the defensive line kept the Pirates from pulling off the upset. Palatine will also look to pick up the pace with its offense, which managed just 63 rushing yards. The Pirates will need to slow down Rolling Meadows defensive end Nate Pedraza, who has verbally committed to Ball State. Offensively, the Mustangs just seem to reload every year and look to Carson Schiller, who threw a pair of touchdown passes last week, to keep things progressing.
Wheeling (0-1) at Schaumburg (0-1)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Wheeling lost to Highland Park 69-14; Schaumburg lost York 16-13
Last year: Schaumburg 37, Wheeling 6
Outlook: Both teams will be looking to improve on their kicking games. Wheeling allowed a pair of kickoff returns in its loss. They were especially decimating to the Wildcats because they came on the heels of Wheeling touchdowns. Schaumburg had a conversion kick blocked and then missed a field goal in overtime in its loss. The good news was that the Saxons, led by Mike DiGioia who had 99 rushing yards, were able to post nearly 300 yards in offense.
Glenbrook South (0-1) at Maine West (1-0)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Last week: Glenbrook South lost to Rolling Meadows 31-14; Maine West beat Mundelein 27-13
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Maine West got a bit of scare last week before ramping up its offense in the second half. The Warriors were able to pick up steam, thanks to the passing of Danny Kentgen, who threw for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for another 40 yards. Kentgen will face a Glenbrook South team that gave up 3 passing touchdowns last week in the Titans' loss. Maine West also showed off its athleticism in the secondary where it allowed just 3 catches for 45 yards.
Round Lake (0-1) at Maine East (0-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Last week: Round Lake lost to Amundsen 30-29; Maine East lost to Marmion 41-7
Last year: Round Lake 50, Maine East 12
Outlook: Both teams will be looking to change their fortunes. Maine East has lost 18 straight dating back to the 2017 season. Round Lake has lost 17 of its last 18 with its only win coming over Maine East last season. Maine East struggled offensively and the Demons were only able to score 7 points and gain 101 yards last week. Maine East did have a sack from Baltazar Carbrales, a fumble recovery by Ali Alawadi and TD pass from Caesar Graham.
Mt. Carmel (1-0) at Maine South (0-1)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Last week: Mt. Carmel beat Gary-Calumet 42-0; Maine South lost to Glenbard West 45-28
Last year: Maine South beat Mt. Carmel 21-13
Outlook: Maine South will look to regroup and not begin its season 0-2 for the first time since 2015. The Hawks will likely have to do it without starting quarterback Luke Leongas, who reinjured his knee last week just before the end of the first half. Just as concerning is the 427 yards Maine South gave up on the ground last Saturday. Mt. Carmel isn't as much as s a run-first type of team that it has been in the past. The Caravan hosted their first home game on their campus in school history last week.
Clark (1-0) vs. St. Viator (0-1) at Robert Morris
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Clark beat Solario 28-27; St. Viator lost to Prospect 46-28
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: St. Viator will look to get back on track, especially on the defensive side of the ball where the Lions surrendered 395 yards last week. With the tougher part of the schedule in front it, St. Viator will need a win to get its playoff car back on the road. The good news is that Lion offense, led by Jack Mahoney and Owen Hickey, looked in sync. Clark is one of the better CPS teams. The Eagles have qualified for the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years.
Leyden (0-1) at Glenbard West (1-0)
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Last week: Leyden lost to Shepard 20-10; Glenbard West beat Maine South 45-28
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: For the second year in a row, Leyden let a lead slip through its fingers in its loss to Shepard. The Eagles led 10-0 but couldn't hang on for the win. Leyden will now have to attempt to bounce back against one of the top ranked teams in the state. The Eagles will try to get their ground game, which was led last week by Vince Fredicksen's 79 yards, going against a Hilltopper team that allowed just 21 rushing yards last week.