Football: Northwest previews, Week 2

MID-SUBURBAN CROSSOVERS

Prospect (1-0) at Fremd (1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Hale Hildebrandt Field

Last week: Prospect d. Downers Grove North 10-7; Fremd d. Lake Zurich 27-20

Outlook: The reigning division champions and two of the MSL's premier programs meet in a rematch of Fremd's 17-13 win last year that propelled it to the West title and 8A quarterfinals. "We know last year will be on their minds big-time," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "We have to make sure we don't get content and get fat on (Saturday's) win. I was very pleased with the focus (Tuesday). It was all business." Fremd took care of business in what Donatucci said "was probably the best first game we've played" as QB Mark Tolzien (24-for-36, 287 yards, 2 TDs) engineered a last-minute drive and gets even more options this week as Mike Tauchman joins the receiving corps of Mike Koeneman and Andrew Corso. Tauchman focused primarily on defense last week but DB Brian Hipchen returns after missing last week for disciplinary reasons. DE Ben Perna (4 tackles for losses) and LBs Nick Hillard and Kevin Krieter led the defense. "Their kids fly around and play football the way it's meant to be played," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman. "I'm hoping our kids get that. In practice it's definitely been better." Pearlman was happy with the late-game stand the Knights made as Sean Wheeler forced a fumble Mike Maratea recovered in the end zone, but want s to see more aggressiveness and attacking. Senior OT-LB Eric Senft did play in that mode and it will help having two-way lineman Tim Scanlan back after missing the opener since he didn't have enough practices in because of the Arlington American Legion baseball regional run. Pearlman also was happy with how sophomore QB Miles Osei handled his debut and said all 7 of his incompletions hit a receiver in the hands. Pat Mack and Osei combined to rush for 165 yards while Fremd looks to get TB Derrick Walker untracked. "We did not play well up front at all," Donatucci said. "Derrick is a good back -- there was nowhere to go." Fremd leads the series 12-5.

Rolling Meadows (1-0) at Schaumburg (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Gary Scholz Stadium

Last week: Meadows d. Hinsdale South 41-0; Schaumburg lost to Maine South 48-22

Outlook: It doesn't get any easier for Schaumburg, which won last year's meeting 21-7 to take a 17-13 series lead, as it now gets the Associated Press' top-ranked 7A team. "What a great opportunity for our kids," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. "Their experience is obvious. It seemed like they were quick from the first snap and they can hurt you in a lot of different ways." That's what made Meadows coach Doug Millsaps happy about the opener as QB Ben Sabal (9-for-15, 157 yards) made the right reads, Mikal Johnson rushed for 64 yards and 2 TDs and Ty Kirk caught 5 passes for 77 yards. "I thought we were really well-balanced, maybe moreso than we've been in a long time," Millsaps said. "The second-team and third-team offense scored and there's a lot of gratification in that." The defense led by Johnson, Joe Okon and Kelly Jauch also cost the Mustangs' some money with milkshakes for a shutout. But that may be tougher this time around with Saxons' TB Mick Trimarco and QB Cody Logsdon (15-23, 111 yards). "I think they're going to be a lot better than everyone says they're going to be," Millsaps said. "The real challenge is they'll play a lot faster than what we saw (Saturday) and they'll be a lot more physical." Stilling hopes moving S Alex Coglianese and LB Matt Hutchinson back to their regular spots will help. "The positive thing is our kids were ready to play in terms of alignments," Stilling said. "We just didn't execute."

Wheeling (1-0) at Palatine (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Chic Anderson Stadium

Last week: Wheeling d. Maine West 19-7; Palatine lost to Lake Forest 14-13

Outlook: Losing starting QB Matt Holmes for two-to-six weeks with a sprained knee would have been devastating for Wheeling in the past. But the Wildcats have options as senior Tim Powell showed Saturday by throwing a go-ahead 80-yard TD pass to speedy Abel Rangel. "He'll just get better," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar. "He's a great kid who will do whatever he has to do to prepare himself to play the game." Matt Zimmer also played some QB Saturday and they'll be tested by a Palatine defense where Connor Deal and 6-6 Monroe Brooks, who didn't play last year, helped allow only 226 yards in the opener. "Monroe was a huge force and he really dominated the game at times," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "It was great to see. I was happy with our kids on defense because that was a big question-mark." Ryan Cortez had 12 tackles and Kurt Handzel, Steve Temple and Jack Hansen played well. Wheeling's defense was also stellar with only 34 yards allowed by DE Ryan Whitecotton, a deep linebacker crew led by Alex Sicard and interceptions by Powell, Mike Barton and Tom Zidron. "I thought it might take a little more time to develop but we came along real quick," Dunbar said. "We rose to the occasion when we needed to." The Wildcats will need to do so again with Palatine QB Matt Rossi's ability to run and pass for a team that won last year's game in the final minute 27-21 to take a 23-14 series lead. "I'm sure they want payback for last year's game," Donnelly said.

Elk Grove (0-1) at Barrington (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Tom Frederick Field

Last week: Elk Grove lost to Oak Park-River Forest 33-6; Barrington lost to Libertyville 13-6

Outlook: Both teams hope the opportunities that were lost last week can be cashed in to their first victory. Barrington had a 326-102 advantage in total yards but committed 5 turnovers and had to settle for 2 field goals. "We went toe-to-toe with them and had chances to win that game until the end," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "I'm very encouraged. Now the question is, how do we come back from it?" The Broncos did get nice varsity debuts from QB Cody Seeger (200 total yards) and TB Terrance Terry (52 yards). "Now we need to sustain things and find ways to get in the end zone," Sanchez said. "We need to take it to the next level. We don't want to be one of those teams that's great between the 20s." Elk Grove also did some damage on the ground with Kevin McDonald, Cory Laga and QB Brian Bathauer behind the line led by Eric Bergman and Nathan Burke. "We shot ourselves in the foot every which way we could," said Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen of coming away with no points on four trips inside the 20 and giving up 184 yards on four plays. "We made some mental mistakes." But Sanchez sees a vastly improved team from the one the Broncos beat 42-0 last year to take an 11-5 series lead. "We're one step away from being very good," Whalen said. "It's there, it's evident and it's obvious and it's them having the confidence they can get it done."

Hersey (0-1) at Hoffman Estates (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Garber Stadium

Last week: Hersey lost to St. Viator 31-6; Hoffman lost to Woodstock 20-14

Outlook: Injuries have already taken a toll on both teams. Hersey's already depleted defense took another hit when CB Adam Matos separated a shoulder Saturday. "That hurts," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "He's a great kid and you don't like to see that happen to anybody." Getting MLB Brad Carmody after missing last year with a leg injury was a nice boost. "He kept us in the game," Gunther said. "Brad will be a playmaker for us. He's a big part of our defense and gets our offense back on the field." Gunther hopes the Huskies can sustain more drives this week behind RB Caleb Muir (102 yards). Hoffman had to make some quick adjustments as MLB-TE Matt Schwendinger (shoulder) is out at least two weeks, so usual NG Greg Carroll got a crash course in the position last Friday morning. "For never playing the position before he did a great job," said Hoffman coach Bill Helzer. Senior QB Blake Heyman led the Hawks to a 14-3 lead but injured his shoulder right before halftime. Helzer hopes Heyman will be able to play but liked what he saw from junior backup Frank Wadas. "For him to go in and show the moxie he had and to suck it up … he put us in a position to win," Helzer said. WR Tyler Davis caught a TD pass and Jerome Henderson had 9 tackles and a couple of big returns for the Hawks, who lost last year's meeting 17-7 but lead the series 8-7.

Buffalo Grove (0-1) at Conant (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Charles O. Feutz Field

Last week: BG lost to Mundelein 16-13; Conant lost to Lake Park 16-13

Outlook: A series tied at 8-8 has traditionally featured close encounters such as Conant's 14-10 win a year ago. And both teams hope to shore up the areas that kept them from starting 1-0. Conant hopes to get untracked offensively without WR-K Mark Chereso for possibly two weeks (knee sprain) and OL Craig Davies for possibly a month (ankle sprain) and take some of the pressure off the defense led by LBs Scott Zari, Otto Linderman and Austin Smith. "I really felt we played a really poor game on offense," said Conant coach Bill Modelski. "I don't think I did a very good job and we didn't execute anything at all. Our defense played pretty dog gone well and gave us a chance to win it." An improved second-half defensive effort led by DE John Pischak and MLB Matt Brichetto (16 tackles) also gave BG a chance but it had to settle for two second-half Kurt Krause field goals. "You can't live by the field goal in high school football," said BG coach Rich Roberts. "It's nice to have a kicker and we feel very fortunate, but you've got to be able to put the ball in the end zone." Roberts did see a lot of growth from his young team. "I feel we're a better football team now," he said.

WEST SUBURBAN CROSSOVER

Leyden (1-0) at Glenbard West (0-1)

When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Duchon Field

Last week: Leyden d. Niles North 49-36; Glenbard West lost to Glenbard South 15-14

Outlook: The season opener found holes opened all over the place -- particularly by C Rob Carli and junior tackles Kevin Lindahl and Jerry Larsen -- for a school-record 635 yards total offense. The big beneficiary was senior Josh Serrano, whose 276 yards and 3 TDs on 31 carries broke the Leyden record of 272 set last year by Ricky Emery. And sophomore Angel Maldonado wasn't bad either with 148 yards on 15 carries. "I didn't think those running backs were as good as Emery but they're pretty good," said Leyden coach Tom Cerasani. "There is definitely a different feeling on offense with the line. They're an athletic group." They also allowed Tim O'Connell to throw for 213 yards and 2 TDs to Sam Cochiaro. This week they'll face Glenbard West's 3-5-3 that allowed only 10 yards rushing and 140 overall. "We started out like gangbusters last year … and we know Glenbard West will be a tough team and physical," Cerasani said. "It will be a challenging game for us." The Hilltoppers, who lost on a TD pass as time ran out and a 2-point conversion, spread out 169 rushing yards to six players in the wing-T. "It will be a big challenge for our front seven, but I think they're pretty good," Cerasani said.

NONCONFERENCE

Maine West (0-1) at Dunbar (0-1)

When: 8 p.m. today at Gately Stadium, Chicago

Last week: Maine West lost to Wheeling 19-7; Dunbar lost to Geneseo 28-6

Outlook: To say Maine West had to adjust in a hurry in its opener is an understatement as senior QB Sean Willett didn't play (coach's decision) and TB-LB Jake Natali suffered a lacerated liver on the opening kickoff that will keep him off the field for at least six weeks and out of school for two-to-three weeks. "We saw him in the hospital Monday night and he's hurting right now," said Maine West coach Chris Hare. "He's a tough person to lose. The doctor said it was like being in a major car crash." Senior LB Jon Cruz will take Natali's spot on offense with Willett and WR Nick Abramson back this week after the Warriors had only 34 total yards of offense in the opener. "Obviously we need to get our passing game going and having Sean back will help," Hare said. "Frank (junior Hess) courageously fought through it and competed." So did the defense with Cruz, LB Josh Gustafson and lineman Jared Golojuch helping the Warriors stay close. They'll get tested again this week by a Dunbar team that won last year's matchup 40-14. "They're very big and very fast," Hare said. "We have to try to neutralize some of their speed."

St. Viator (1-0) at St. Francis (1-0)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday at

Last week: St. Viator d. Hersey 31-6; St. Francis d. Nazareth 28-27

Outlook: The fact that St. Francis opened with a win against an East Suburban Catholic Conference foe should get St. Viator's attention after a big cross-town rivalry victory. The Spartans aren't the same team that lost 49-3 as first-year coach Greg Purnell won three state titles in Iowa. "That coach is a good coach," said Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick. "He knows what he's doing and the kids are obviously pumped up after beating Nazareth. It definitely won't be like (last year). It's a much better football team." Junior Mark Kachmer rushed for 263 yards and 3 TDs, QB Jeff Reckards passed for 79 yards and a TD and Stan Bobowski rushed for 83 yards out of the wing-T that will test the Viator defense led by two-way standouts Emmett Cleary and Matt O'Malley and junior DB Dan Faerber. The Lions should be helped by just seeing an option team in Hersey. Senior QB Eric Huber had a big debut with 8-for-9 passing for 129 yards and 2 TDs and 82 yards rushing and senior RB Mike Landuyt rushed for 122 yards. "I thought our offensive line played well but there are a lot of things we can do better," Kirkpatrick said of the Lions' 4 lost fumbles.