Week 9: Scouting the Mid-Suburban West
Conant (1-7, 0-4) at Barrington (8-0, 4-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Barrington 47, Conant 7
Outlook: Despite their record, Conant will not be an easy win for Barrington. The hard-luck season for Conant continued last week when the Cougars could not hold a 14-7 lead at Palatine before falling 28-14. Conant has lost 3 games in overtime and lost another 3 games where they were leading at one point in the game. Barrington has always stayed focused, and coach Joe Sanchez will not let his Broncos get caught looking ahead to a possible 2-seed in the Class 8A playoffs. Ray "Nitro" Niro is coming off a 4-TD, 243-yard rushing performance last week and has 1,341 rushing yards this year. Michael Curran also runs the ball well for the Broncos and takes the pressure off his quarterback. Barrington can clinch the MSL West outright for the first time since 1997.
Schaumburg (4-4, 1-3) at Fremd (1-7, 1-3)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Fremd 49, Schaumburg 21
Outlook: With a win, Schaumburg would qualify for the playoffs for the second year in a row. The Saxons have lost 3 of their last 4, but have been competitive in every game. The offensive line of David Drs, Jaylen Young, Robert Grasse, Paul Anderson, Tristin O'Connor and Michael Dan have enabled the Saxons to score nearly 24 points per game. Scoring, meanwhile, has been at a premium for Fremd this year. The Vikings are averaging just 11.5 points per game. But nothing would be better for the Vikings then to end the season with a win, at the same time denying the Saxons a playoff spot.
Hoffman Estates (7-1, 3-1) at Palatine (5-3, 3-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year's result: Palatine 49, Hoffman Estates 13
Outlook: Both teams have qualified for the playoffs - and both have placed an emphasis on getting the highest possible seed. This game has all the making of a shootout between a pair of teams that have lots of offensive aptitude. Hoffman has been flying high all season and averages 31 points. Austin Coalson has done a superb job of directing that offense, throwing for an area-best 1,761 yards and 16 touchdowns. Jaylan Johnson has done a great job of running the ball for the Hawks. Palatine's DJ Angelaccio has become the offensive threat at quarterback that Palatine has hoped he would be. He has thrown for 1,120 yards and rushed for another 289 for the Pirates, who have averaged 26 points. Johnny O' Shea is still the main target through the air and has 34 receptions.