Football: Scouting Week 7, Northwest

Mid-Suburban East

Elk Grove (1-5, 1-1) at Hersey (6-0, 2-0) When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Hersey 44, Elk Grove 0

Outlook: The long drought is over at Elk Grove, which ended its 32-game losing streak last week with its win over Wheeling. Sophomore running back Ian Ridge piled up 200 yards and 3 touchdowns in the victory for the Grens. They will have their hands full against a Hersey team that is streaking. The Huskies are averaging nearly 48 points per game and have weapons everywhere including the "Ghost", Kacper Rutkiewicz, who is the area's second-leading receiver with 28 catches. Hersey also clinched a playoff berth last week, the Huskies' third in the last 5 years under coach Joe Pardun. Hersey has won the last 6 meetings and holds a 7-3 advantage in the last 10 seasons.

Rolling Meadows (6-0, 2-0) at Wheeling (3-3, 1-1) When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Rolling Meadows 24, Wheeling 9

Outlook: Rolling Meadows has racked up 314 points this season thanks to the strong offensive line play of John Carlstrom, Andrew Baroota, Josh De Luca, Joe Boyer and Tommy Schell. The Mustangs' defense has also been stout, allowing just 14 points per game. Rolling Meadows has also clinched a playoff spot for the eighth year in a row under coach Matt Mishler. Wheeling, which had won 3 of its last 4, stumbled badly last week in the Wildcats' loss to Elk Grove. Rolling Meadows has won the last 9 meetings with Wheeling.

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

Last year's result: Buffalo Grove 21, Prospect 7

Outlook: A playoff bid could be on the line for both of these teams. They both enter the game with a 2-game losing streak and each team desperately needs a win to keep those post season hopes alive. Prospect is looking to shore up its defense after opponents have scored more points (117) in the last 2 weeks than the Knights allowed in the first 4 weeks combined (78). Buffalo Grove has been struggling offensively the past 2 weeks. The Bison have scored just 10 total points in their last 2 games. Prospect has won 7 of the last 10 games with Buffalo Grove.

Mid-Suburban West

Conant (4-2, 2-0) at Fremd (3-3, 2-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Fremd 26, Conant 18

Outlook: Expect a defensive battle between a pair of teams that like to run the football and control the clock. Both teams have played great defense in past weeks. Conant's 3-5-3 defense has a very active linebacking corps led by Fil Defrenza and Anthony Wachal and has allowed just 22 points in the Cougars' last 2 games. Conant will look to stop Fremd's running game that features Nick Rattin, the area's No. 3 rusher who has 483 yards this season. Fremd counters with a solid defensive line with Devin Denham and Will Josten holding down the end spot. They will look to slow down Conant's wing-type offense that has featured Mailk Fredreick (421 yards) in recent weeks. The winner should be the team that makes the least mistakes. Fremd has won the last two games and has dominated the series in the last 10 years, winning 8 games.

Schaumburg (3-3, 0-2) at Palatine (1-5, 0-2) When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Palatine 28, Schaumburg 21

Outlook: Both teams had hoped to be on the top of the division after 2 weeks. Instead they find themselves on the bottom looking up. Schaumburg needs a win to turn its fortunes around in the hopes of making the playoffs. Heze Trotter, who will clearly be the best athlete on the field, could be the difference-maker with his speed and athleticism. Palatine has faced elimination games the last 5 years in the state playoffs. But the Pirates did not suffer a more devastating loss than last week's game against Hoffman when Palatine failed to protect a 31-12 lead. That loss also knocked the Pirates out of the playoffs for this season. Palatine has won the last 4 meetings with Schaumburg and 7 of the last 10.

Hoffman Estates (6-0, 2-0) at Barrington (3-3, 0-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Barrington 47, Hoffman Estates 21

Outlook: Hoffman has matched its best start ever when it had a miraculous come-from-behind win over Palatine last week. The Hawks continue to fly high with quarterback Kyle Krogstad, the area's top passer with 1,196 yards, Mailk Whitehead, the area's top receiver with 41 catches and Jordan Lane, who had 3 TD catches in the comeback win. Barrington has struggled since the Broncos beat Maine South in Week 3. Injuries have taken their toll on Barrington, which was shut out last week for the first time since 2009. Barrington does have a bright spot in that it has won its last 10 meetings with Hoffman Estates.

East Suburban Catholic

St. Viator (0-6, 0-4) at Benet (4-2, 2-2)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: Benet 30, St. Viator 27

Outlook: St. Viator continued to struggle last week and was blanked by Notre Dame. Now the Lions are headed to Lisle to meet a Benet team that upended Joliet Catholic, a team that Viator lost 55-10 to in Week 3. The Lions may again be without quarterback Jack Mahoney. The junior quarterback did not play last week and the Lions had just 65 passing yards without him.

Central Suburban North

Vernon Hills (2-4, 0-2) at Maine West (5-1, 2-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: Maine West 21, Vernon Hills 0

Outlook: Maine West continues to impress as the Warriors march their way through the CSL North. After surrendering an opening-game kickoff return for a TD, the Warriors rolled over district-rival Maine East, piling up 474 yards of offense. Vernon Hills is coming off its fourth loss in a row. The Cougars like to spread the field and throw, averaging over 50 passes per game. Maine West will counter with running back Jake Bellizzi, the area's second-leading rusher with 714 yards, to control the ball and the clock against a Cougar team that has allowed 33 points per game.

West Suburban Gold

Leyden (3-3, 2-1) at Downers Grove South (3-3, 3-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Downers Grove South 20, Leyden 0

Outlook: After losing its first 3 games, Leyden has soared to win its next three to get back into state playoff contention. The final 3 weeks will decide the Eagles' fate and they can take a huge step forward this week with a win over Downers Grove South. Leyden has adjusted very well to the early season injury to running back Gabe Guarderas. Junior running backs Nick Motyka and Vince Fredrickson have stepped in quite nicely along with a the help of the Fernando "Cheese" Corona, who is creaming defenders as a lead blocker. The Leyden defense has played well this season, allowing just over 12 points per game.