Scouting Palatine at Montini

By Dave Oberhelman

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

Palatine at Montini

Nonconference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Two-time defending Class 5A champion Montini is debuting its new $1.2 million synthetic field and stadium refurbishment. It’s the first meeting with Palatine, the Class 8A quarterfinalist from which Montini coach Chris Andriano graduated in 1970. But hold your Thunderstix! Broncos quarterback John Rhode suffered a broken thumb last week, causing speedy sophomore Mark Gorogianis to come in and game plans to adjust — perhaps back Dimitri Taylor will get a few more handoffs. Palatine’s third-year safety Jesse Bobbit will put on the heat and try to get the ball back so the Pirates’ 221-pound fullback, Jim Serio, can ram it at another heralded Montini transfer, 300-pound Iowa recruit Jaleel Johnson.

Next week: Palatine at Rolling Meadows; Montini at Loyola.