Week 7: Scouting the Mid-Suburban East
Buffalo Grove (6-0, 2-0) at Hersey (5-1, 2-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Buffalo Grove 42, Hersey 14
Outlook: The showdowns in the MSL East begin this week with the first of three weeks of great matchups. Buffalo Grove is playoff-bound for the first time since 2003 and the Bison are unbeaten as well, having outscored their opponents 198-36. Justin Gold sparks the defense for the Bison while Connor Adams, who has thrown for 839 yards, and Tom Trieb, who has rushed for 567 yards, give the Bison a solid 1-2 punch on offense. Owen Golsdsberry has been the key for the Hersey offense and until someone stops him, that won't change. Goldsberry has thrown for 763 yards and rushed for 605 yards while Luke Cecala has stepped up to be a force in the backfield. While Goldsberry has been terrific, so has a Hersey defense which has allowed just 26 points this year. Led by Colton Kamysz, Caleb Augustyn, Luke Cecala, Nick Wiley and Konstantino Mantas, Hersey has two consecutive shutouts and 3 for the season and has not allowed a TD for 13 consecutive quarters.
Rolling Meadows (5-1, 1-0) at Elk Grove (0-6, 0-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Rolling Meadows 43, Elk Grove 6
Outlook: With a win, Rolling Meadows will keep pace with the winner of Buffalo Grove-Hersey. Rolling Meadows is coming off its best offensive output of the season last week when the Mustangs put up 49 points and 424 yards. Arek Kleniuk continues to shine at quarterback, coming of a 16-of-20, 264-yard performance. Elk Grove has played one of the area's toughest schedules with its opponents posting a 28-8 and record. And it won't get much easier for the Grens with Rolling Meadows this week. Still, Miles Osei's squad has played those opponents well and Elk Grove always seems to get up for a game with Meadows.
Prospect (1-5, 0-2) at Wheeling (1-5, 0-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Wheeling 38, Prospect 7
Outlook: Both teams have been officially eliminated from the playoffs, but that should not take any luster off this game. Prospect has found a way to run the ball well all year with Michael Shafis gaining 359 yards. Prospect continues its youth movement and coach Mike Sebestyen looks for that pay dividends in the final 3 weeks. Wheeling had been playing well up until last week's second half against Hersey. The Wildcats do need to find more offense; they've scored in double figures just one time this year. Coach Brian Hauck's squad hopes to get back on track behind quarterback Michael Best.