Scouting: Northwest suburbs Week 1

Hersey (0-9) at St. Viator (4-5)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Forest View

Last year's opener: St. Viator d. Hersey 31-6

Outlook: St. Viator has held Arlington Heights bragging rights in the series since 1999 ­- albeit only 3 games because of a seven-year hiatus because of the Lions' conference schedules. Hersey is looking to end an 11-game losing streak and has a 16-12 lead in a series that resumed with Viator's 33-14 win in 2006. "I figure they're going to be a lot better and Mark (Gunther) is a good coach," said Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick. "I know him and his kids have a lot of pride." And this is a chance for Hersey to do more than gain bragging rights with a still-young but much deeper team. "For us we need to learn how to win," Gunther said. "That's our biggest challenge." It's also a showcase of two athletic junior QBs in Viator's Julian Sipiora and Hersey's Steve Nelson.

Fremd (11-1) at Lake Zurich (13-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Mel Eide Field

Last year's opener: Fremd d. Lake Zurich 27-20

Outlook: A dramatic last-minute win in last year's first meeting was the start of a run to the 8A quarterfinals for Fremd and a flawless run to a 7A title for Lake Zurich. "We want to thank them for getting our heads screwed on straight last year," said LZ coach Bryan Stortz. The Bears lost their entire offense but third-year starting DL John Brewer will be a challenge for Fremd's big line anchored by Christian Lombard and Jimmy Norris. "Brewer has got to be the best defensive lineman in the state," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "That kid's a ton." Fremd RB Mike Gyetvay had only 1 carry for 2 yards last year before emerging as the feature back and gaining 1,000 yards. Senior Mike Tauchman also makes his debut at QB but third-year defensive standout Ben Perna, who moved to LB this year, is out with a groin problem that he'll get an MRI on today. Lake Zurich also has a new QB in Tanner Witt, who will also play on defense and has recovered from offseason shoulder surgery to fix a rare condition that was causing blood clots. Fremd's only opening loss in its 13-year playoff run was by a point two years ago to St. Charles North.

Maine West (1-8) at Wheeling (6-4)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year's opener: Wheeling d. Maine West 19-7

Outlook: The injury bug hit Maine West like an uncontrolled virus as it will be missing seven starters as CB C.J. Eisenberg and OT Matt Watson have concussions, WR Dan Lowe had his appendix removed and DB Carl Marella (broken collarbone) and C Rich Montelbano (broken foot) are out for the year. "With our lack of experience and lack of winning, I think if we can get the first one it would go a long way," said Maine West coach Chris Hare. "It's going to be tough again." Especially since Wheeling is looking to start toward another playoff berth behind QB Matt Holmes, who threw for 71 yards before getting hurt last year, WR James Kurtz (5 catches, 64 yards) and S Mike Zimmer. Maine West senior QB Frank Hess figures to be improved as he was just 6-for-28 for 29 yards and 3 INTs after getting the late starting call last year in a series tied at 2-2.

Mundelein (3-6) at Buffalo Grove (4-5)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year's opener: Mundelein d. BG 16-13

Outlook: Two new eras begin for two programs hoping to end postseason droughts. While Jim Farrell will be in his first game as a varsity head coach for BG, Mundelein's Bob Stone is hardly new to being in charge on the sideline as he won a state title (1990) and two second-place trophies (1992 and 1996) at Joliet Catholic and was West Chicago's head coach for 10 years. "The guy's got a state championship on his resume and is a much more experienced coach than I am," Farrell said. "I respect his career and where he's been but it will come down to the kids' talent on the field." A slow start hurt BG in last year's opener and kept it out of the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Returning RB Josh Hampton rushed for 79 of his 104 yards on the Bison's only TD. "Both programs are in very similar situations," Farrell said of a series Mundelein leads 2-1. "We've played games multiple times but not this game. This game is brand new to both of us." Mundelein hasn't been to the playoffs since 2002 and junior QB Brian Santiago and an all-junior offensive line will get tested by third-year senior DL Alan Baxter and John Pischak. "We're trying to start something new," Stone said.

Palatine (7-4) at Lake Forest (6-4)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Lake Forest West campus

Last year's opener: Lake Forest d. Palatine 14-13

Outlook: The matchups have been close - with Lake Forest taking a 3-1 lead in the series when Palatine's 2-point conversion try with 1:06 left fell short after a 3-yard TD by third-year starting QB Matt Rossi, who also threw for 91 yards and a TD. Palatine pulled off a dramatic 30-28 win two years ago at Lake Forest and but this time will be on its new home field where its lights will be unveiled. Lake Forest started 5-0 last year and has senior standout OL Scott Covert, the son of former Bears great lineman Jimbo Covert, but will have a tough five-game road swing after the opener.

Oak Park-River Forest (4-5) at Elk Grove (1-8)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year's opener: Oak Park d. Elk Grove 33-6

Outlook: Elk Grove jumped ahead in the first quarter last year and was right there until Oak Park pulled away late. But everyone who led the way to 369 yards offensively - including standout RB Levell Coppage (164 yards) - is gone for the Huskies and former Prospect head coach Jim Nudera. "I don't know what to expect," said Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen, who was an assistant for Nudera. "They have some good athletes in that school and they'll give us a contest." The Huskies have three defensive starters back in DE-OT Mark Willis (6-5, 220), SS Martin Hodges and ILB Sean McDonald. Oak Park leads the series 4-1 and Elk Grove tries to win an opener for the first time since the 2004 7A quarterfinalist beat Elgin 28-6.

Conant (2-7) at Lake Park (4-5)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at West campus, Roselle

Last year's opener: Lake Park d. Conant 16-13

Outlook: Last year's drama went down to a game-winning field goal with 8.8 seconds left. Both teams expect to be much better offensively after Lake Park gained 256 yards and Conant managed just 77. Junior Larry Nawrot returns at QB after throwing for 118 yards and a tying fourth-quarter TD. "I'm sure he'll be better," said Conant coach Bill Modelski. "He's a pretty good athlete." Lake Park usually has no shortage of those and returns eight starters on each side of the ball, including top RBs Chris Jasinski and Kevin Thomas. "What we need to do is make sure we can score this year," said Lake Park coach Andy Livingston. "Between Larry and Jasinski and Thomas we think we've got some firepower." The Lancers also have two-time all-Upstate Eight LB Chris Buonavolanto and all-UEC safety Nick Wiley back to challenge Conant's more wide-open attack run by QB Sean Smith. Lake Park has a 4-2-1 lead in the series that dates to 1968.

Libertyville (4-5) at Barrington (5-4)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Barrington Athletic Stadium

Last year's opener: Libertyville d. Barrington 13-6

Outlook: Barrington unveils its brand new stadium with field turf and a video replay scoreboard - amenities no one would have envisioned when this series between old North Suburban Conference rivals started in 1928. "There's going to be a lot of hoopla with their new stadium," said Libertyville coach Randy Kuceyeski. "It should be really nice and a great night." Barrington has lost the last three meetings, including 14-12 in 2005 in a similar scenario at Libertyville. "I know Libertyville has got to be excited just like we were in 2005 to go in there," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. More important to both teams is getting off to a good start after finishing in an unfamiliar position - Libertyville missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996 and Barrington was out for the first time since 2001. "Like us they had a year that was subpar for them in terms of what their expectations are," Sanchez said. Junior RB James Zotto started all 9 games last year for Libertyville and rushed for 400 yards and Campbell Stemper (6-0, 205) is one of the bigger QBs the school has had. Sanchez has some simple formulas for opening with success that has eluded the Broncos against the Wildcats and when they went 1-3 in openers with Stevenson. "We turned the ball over and accumulated more penalties and penalty yardage," Sanchez said. "If we eliminate that we're going to give ourselves a chance to finally get on the right side of the scoreboard."

Woodstock (5-5) at Hoffman Estates (2-7)

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

Last year's opener: Woodstock d. Hoffman 20-13

Outlook: This was one of the games that got away from Hoffman last year as it couldn't hold a 14-3 first-quarter lead. Woodstock also brings back third-year starting QB Derek Brown, who passed for 320 yards and a TD and finished the season with 1,565 yards and 14 TDs. "Our quarterback returning is an advantage for us," said Woodstock coach Steve Beard. "We've got our secondary back on defense, otherwise we're unproven." Returning starter Frank Wadas moved in at QB midway through the game last year and threw for 72 yards. "We'll focus on some redemption," said Hoffman coach Bill Helzer of a team with 18 starters trying to end a 14-year playoff drought. "They're a good, hard-nosed team. We know they're going to be good and hopefully we can get off on the right foot."

Maine S. (10-2) vs. Schaumburg (4-5)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Conant's Feutz Field

Last year's opener: Maine South d. Schaumburg 48-22

Outlook: Schaumburg knew it wouldn't be easy when it upgraded its opener to Maine South last year. The Hawks are considered one of the 8A title favorites with Vanderbilt-bound QB Charlie Goro, who threw for 210 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for 62 yards and 3 TDs last year, and the Saxons will be without starting safeties Mike Valenti (knee) and Alex Coglianese. "They've got one of the best quarterbacks in the state," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. "I think playing them Week 1 last year, we discovered a lot about ourselves." Perrish Bell, who sat out last year with back trouble and played cornerback most of the summer, will be one of the safeties. "I'm impressed with how he picked things up in a short period of time," Stilling said of the two-year varsity basketball guard. And the early-season schedule doesn't get much easier with Mid-Suburban League crossovers that include Wheeling and Prospect. "We've got to come out ready to go and Hersey (Week 2) will be a battle," Stilling said.

Prospect (5-5) at Downers Grove North (2-7)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Carstens Field

Last year's opener: Prospect d. DG North 10-7

Outlook: Eight opening meetings with Downers North will be enough as Prospect moves on to face York next year. But Prospect coach Brent Pearlman expects a high level of excitement for the conclusion to a series his team leads 5-2 between two perennially successful programs. The Knights escaped last year despite 5 turnovers and 2 dropped TD passes in the starting debut for now-junior QB Miles Osei, who rushed for 71 yards and passed for 59. Downers North will move third-year starting LB Dan Sheppard to QB in its split-back veer option and DE Conner Edwards returns to a unit that allowed only 11 points a game last year. "We're going to show up every game and try to be competitive, just like we did last year," said DGN coach John Wander, whose team lost 4 games by 7 points or less.

Hinsdale South (3-6) at Rolling Meadows (9-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert A. Hoese Athletic Field

Last year's opener: Meadows d. Hinsdale South 41-0

Outlook: Meadows coach Doug Millsaps doesn't expect a repeat of last year when his team rolled to a 402-169 advantage in total yards. "They'll be better," Millsaps said of the second meeting with Hinsdale South. Darrin Kidd and Jonathan Sterling are expected to use their breakaway speed to more than exceed their combined 500 rushing yards out of the double wing anchored by junior tackles Dane DeKing (6-3, 285) and Cody Kuhlman (6-3, 250). They'll also play defense as the Hornets try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005. "We'll play a better brand of football," said second-year Hinsdale South coach Alex Bitto. "There's no question about it." Meadows' Daquan Edwards rushed for 32 yards and a TD and Mick Viken caught a TD pass as junior Jimmy Garoppolo makes his varsity starting debut at QB.

Leyden (5-5) at Niles North (4-5)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Chuck Pos Stadium

Last year's opener: Leyden d. Niles North 49-36

Outlook: It would be tough to have an opener as wild as last year when graduated all-area pick Josh Serrano rushed for a school-record 276 yards. The good news for the Eagles is junior RB Angel Maldonado is back after rushing for 146 yards in last year's meeting and has an experienced offensive line. Niles North and coach Scott Smith, an assistant at Prospect, Hersey and St. Viator, has only 30 players but plenty of quality led by RB Terry Turner and QB Mike Granato. "The first game is the toughest one," said Leyden coach Tom Cerasani. "You never know what you're going to get until you get on the field."