Scouting Week 4 football games in the Northwest suburbs

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

Last week: Buffalo Grove beat Wheeling 49-22; Hersey lost to Prospect 49-29

2019: Hersey 42, Buffalo Grove 14

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbemVpBp7J3bYVVRBKYGRfw

Outlook: This is a pivotal game for both teams. Buffalo Grove wants to prove it belongs while Hersey is looking to stay alive in the Mid-Suburban East. The game features the two top dual-purpose receivers in the East. Buffalo Grove's Ayden Anderson had 3 touchdown catches last week, as did Hersey's Ben Clausen. Both have been terrorizing defenses all season. It could come down to a pair of quarterbacks that were relatively unknown before the season began. Buffalo Grove's Ian Luyando and Hersey's Jimmy Makuh have stepped up quite nicely to lead their respective teams.

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

Last week: Prospect beat Hersey 49-29; Rolling Meadows beat Elk Grove 43-13

2019: Rolling Meadows beat Prospect 35-14, 26-14

Livestreaming: https://vimeo.com/streamingmustangs

Outlook: Prospect has not beaten Rolling Meadows since 2015 and lost twice last season to the Mustangs. The Knights have things going their way offensively, averaging 45 points per game thanks to quarterback Gary Moeller and running back Luke Zardzin, who left last week's game with an injury. Sam Baker got his first win as Rolling Meadows head coach last week. The Mustangs exploded offensively last week with quarterback Michael Radon, wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz, and running back Charlie Schmidt supplying most of the pyrotechnics.

Wheeling (0-3,0-3) at Elk Grove (0-3, 0-3)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Wheeling lost to Buffalo Grove 49-22; Elk Grove lost to Rolling Meadows 43-13

2019: Elk Grove 56, Wheeling 33

Livestreaming: http://shortlinks.d214.org/egfootball

Outlook: Both teams have been close to a win this season and one of them will get over the top this week. Wheeling put up 210 yards last week behind quarterback Solomon Hudson, who continues to be a bright spot for the Wildcats. The junior threw for a pair of touchdowns, ran for another and a 2-point conversion. Elk Grove is still doing its fair share of running with Ian Ridge over 600 yards on the season. The Grenadiers do need to find a way to shut their opponents down, having allowed 140 points this season.

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

Last week: Conant lost to Barrington 35-13; Schaumburg lost to Hoffman Estates 35-0

2019: Schaumburg 10, Conant 7

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqEKUVmc2aMAmwwtqHPBwwA

Outlook: This a pair of teams that a searching for win. Conant is working to improve on both sides of the ball. The Cougars have allowed an average of 40 points per game while scoring 16 points per game. Those numbers could pick up as running back Malik Frederick returns to the lineup. Schaumburg showed vast improvement in Week 2 in its loss Fremd, but the Saxons took a step back last week when they were blanked by Hoffman. Schaumburg has given up 83 points this year and scored just 2 touchdowns.

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

Last week: Fremd lost to Palatine 26-24; Barrington beat Conant 35-13

2019: Fremd 14, Barrington 0

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNQcCdl9rdKP_UrPRzU5ubQ

Outlook: Fremd needs a win to stay in the race for the MSL West title. The Vikings struggled in key moments last week, turning the ball over 3 times and failing to covert short yardage situations on four different plays. They face a Barrington team that is firing on all cylinders. Peter Anderson, who has thrown for nearly 600 yards, leads an offense that is averaging 35 points per game. Bryan Smith, who is coming off a 186-yard performance, leads the ground attack. The Barrington first-team defense, led by Evan Roper, Matt Kolder, Owen Powell and Justice Cromwell has only allowed 8 points.

Hoffman Estates (2-1, 2-1) at Palatine (2-1, 2-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Hoffman Estates beat Schaumburg 35-0; Palatine beat Fremd 26-24

2019: Palatine 21, Hoffman Estates 0

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt_4IA7jiClNd2DWcN1e2iA

Outlook: So many story lines in this game. The winner stays in the hunt for the MSL West title. This should be a terrific battle between two of the area's top wide receivers in Jashawn Johnson from Hoffman Estates and Jake Bostick from Palatine. The juniors are both very high on the college recruiting list. It will also be a homecoming of sorts for Hoffman quarterback Joey Ayala, who played for Palatine last season. Tyler Klipowicz led a ball-hawking Palatine defense with 2 interceptions last week. The Hawks, are averaging 33 points per game.

Maine South (3-0, 3-0) at Glenbrook South (1-2, 1-2)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Maine South beat Glenbrook North 42-3; Glenbrook South beat Niles West 51-0

2019: Maine South 28, Glenbrook South 13

Outlook: Maine South continues to roll. Luke Leongas continues to show he is all the way back from his knee injury a year ago. He threw for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns and ran for another last week. Maine South's defense has been overlooked. Led by Chris Petrucci, Joe Kinnavy and Connor Leyden, the Hawks have allowed just 16 points this season. With a win, Maine South will look to a showdown next week with New Trier for first place in the CSL South. Maine South will have to guard to not look past a Glenbrook South team that put up 51 points last week.

Addison Trail (0-3, 0-2) at Leyden (0-3, 0-2)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Addison Trail lost to Downers Grove South 28-14; Leyden lost to Lyons 38-0

2019: Leyden 25, Addison Trail 6

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOWxqgdAwEQRunHCBjJ8w9w

Outlook: Both teams are looking for their first win of the season. Leyden's lack of experience, especially on offense, has made things difficult for the Eagles. They have scored just 1 touchdown this season and had 74 yards of offense last week, with Jacob DeJesus accounting for 40 of those yards. Addison Trail also has had its struggles, scoring its only 2 touchdowns of the season last week. The Blazers have allowed 132 points in 3 games.

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

Last week: Vernon Hills beat Deerfield 19-6; Maine West beat Maine East 37-12

2019: Maine West 59, Vernon Hills 38

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBdqGdS3oXSgtEbAQiQgBhA

Outlook: Maine West got things going in the right direction last week, earning new head coach George Klupchak his first win. The Warriors put up 400 yards of offense thanks to the running of Alex Peguero, who ran for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns. Maine West will have a tough matchup to make it two in a row. Vernon Hills has beaten both Deerfield and Highland Park, which account for both of Maine West's losses.

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

Last week: Niles North lost to Highland Park 47-19; Maine East lost to Maine West 37-12

2019: Niles North 56, Maine East 16

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFIJNVT1RbY

Outlook: Maine East was able to get to the end zone twice last week. But it was not enough as the Demons suffered their 29th consecutive loss. Maine East will hope to catch fire this week against a Niles North team that got beat soundly last week by Highland Park.

Chicago Brooks (1-0) at St. Viator (2-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m. at Forest View Stadium

Livestreaming: https://www.saintviator.com/student-life/athletics/streaming-schedule?pending=true&cached=false

Outlook: Brooks is a last-minute replacement game for St. Viator, whose scheduled game against Marmion was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions at Marmion.