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Scouting Week 5/Northwest

East Suburban Catholic

Carmel (1-3, 1-1) vs. St. Viator (0-4, 0-2) at Robert MorrisWhen: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: St. Viator 24, Carmel 3

Outlook: St. Viator is off to its worst start since 2011 when the Lions lost their first 5 games. The past couple of weeks have been difficult for the Lions with them matched up with the cream of the ESCC in Joliet Catholic and Marist. Now the Lions have a huge opportunity this week to turn the ship around against a Carmel team that just won one game last season. Expect a high-scoring affair with a pair of teams that have struggled defensively. Viator still boasts one of the largest offensive lines in the area and should be able to move the ball against a Carmel team that has allowed over 34 points per game. St. Viator has allowed 37 points per game.

Central Suburban North

Glenbrook North (3-1, 0-0) at Maine West (3-1, 0-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: Maine West 42, Glenbrook North 17

Outlook: Maine West broke a 14-year losing streak last season by beating the Spartans. The Warriors would like add to their current streak and get themselves off to great start in conference action. Both teams are the only teams in the conference to be 3-1. The Warriors showed that they can play with the best in their game last week against Hersey. Jake Bellizzi is a load and has rushed for 308 yards while quarterback Danny Kentgen has thrown for 570 yards and 11 touchdowns. Glenbrook North quarterback Dylan Buckner has played well for the Spartans. The sophomore has thrown for 797 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Mid-Suburban East

Hersey (4-0, 0-0) at Prospect (3-1, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Hersey 41, Prospect 20

Outlook: Hersey, which is 4-0 for the first time since 1975, continues to surprise everyone except itself. The Huskies have unveiled a two-headed monster at quarterback in Jordan Hansen and Ryan Justice and it has given their opponents fits, scoring 183 points. Also giving fits is the Hersey defense led by Anthony Cardi and Nick Steger. Prospect has adapted well to Dan DeBeouf's new system and not only is it producing points (105), but wins as well. Jimmy Martin, who has thrown for 600 yards along with Michael Shafis, who has rushed for 260 yards, and Luke Zaerdzin who has gained 240 yards, key the offense. Hersey has won the last 5 games with Prospect. Before that, Prospect had won for 8 consecutive years.

Buffalo Grove (3-1, 0-0) at Wheeling (2-2, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Buffalo Grove 27, Wheeling 20

Outlook: Nobody was better than Wheeling quarterback Michael Best last week. The senior quarterback is coming off a career game where he threw for 374 yards and 5 touchdowns. After losing its first two games, Wheeling has roared back to even its record on the season. Buffalo Grove has also won its last two games. The Bison have responded quite nicely after losing Tom Trieb. Connor Adams has stepped into the leadership role for BG and is coming off a 262-yard passing game. Wheeling has won the last 2 games in this series and is 7-3 over the last 10 seasons.

Elk Grove (0-4, 0-0) at Rolling Meadows (4-0, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Rolling Meadows 48, Elk Grove 0

Outlook: Rolling Meadows is the best kept secret outside of the MSL. The Mustangs have been blasting their opponents all season long, averaging 52.5 points per game and show no sign of letting up. Tim Syzlak continues to run over people and has already piled up 683 yards while Jace O' Hara (284 yards) and quarterback Arek Kleniuk, who has thrown for 292 yards, have the offense in high gear. The defense, sparked by Nate Pedraza, has allowed just 12 points per game. Elk Grove looked good early last week against Glenbrook North, but faltered down the stretch. The young Grens are looking to break out. Rolling Meadows has won the last 4 games in the series and is 6-4 in the last 10 years.

Mid-Suburban West

Barrington (3-1, 0-0) at Conant (2-2, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Barrington 40, Conant 19

Outlook: After 3 roads wins to open the season, Barrington stumbled last week in its home opener against Evanston. The good news for Barrington is that the Broncos are back on the road this week where they hope to turn things around. Both teams were matched up against the same CSL opponents with Barrington beating Maine South and losing to Evanston and Conant falling to both teams. The Barrington defense, which had been lights out in the Broncos' first three games, had difficulty containing the Evanston speed last week, surrendering 371 yards of offense. Conant, which opened the season with 2 wins, is also looking to get back on the winning track. Barrington has won 8 of its last 10 games against Conant, including the last 5.

Hoffman Estates (4-0, 0-0) at Schaumburg (3-1, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Hoffman Estates 28, Schaumburg 24

Outlook: Expect a shootout between a pair of teams that know how to score. Hoffman Estates is coming of a 76-point output last week. The Hawks are led by quarterback Kyle Krogstad, who has thrown for 844 yards and 14 touchdowns without an interception. Hoffman has scored 170 points this season. Schaumburg has won its last 3 games and the Saxons have rolled up 119 points in those victories. Mike DiGioia has been a force running the ball with 386 yards on the season. Schaumburg quarterback Marcus Ross has been impressive managing the offense, throwing for 435 yards and 7 touchdowns without an interception. In their last 10 meetings, Schaumburg has won 7 of those games. But Hoffman has won the last two games and 3 of the last 4.

Fremd (1-3, 0-0) at Palatine (1-3, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Palatine 28, Fremd 14.

Outlook: The annual "Battle of the Tracks". Palatine has won 6 of the last 10 meetings between the rivals including the past two years. The winner will keep its playoff hopes alive while the loser will be in serious jeopardy. Fremd has been in every game this season and posted its first win last week. The Vikings have been getting tremendous production from running back Nicky Rattin, who has been operating behind a typically tough Fremd offensive line of Brian Morel, Will Josten, Marlon Martinez, Kyle Cullinan and Jack Walsh. Palatine has been putting up points, scoring 95 this season thanks to the play of Fremd transfer QB Zac Garnmeister. However, the Pirates have been very un-Palatine like on defense, allowing an average of 39 points per game.

Nonconference

Leyden (1-3) at Lyons (1-3, 0-0)When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Lyons 31, Leyden 0

Outlook: It is homecoming at Lyons, so that is why the change to a Saturday afternoon kickoff. Both teams got off the schneid last week by beating teams from Proviso. Lyons knocked off Proviso West 13-7 while Leyden was impressive in its 27-6 win over Proviso East. Leyden put things together last week, limiting Proviso East to zero rushing yards. Leyden running back Vince Fredrickson had a career day, rushing for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns and catching another touchdown pass. Lyons has struggled offensively and has just scored 33 points this year.

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