Week two football previews

WEEK 2 PREVIEWS

MID-SUBURBAN LEAGUE CROSSOVERS

Elk Grove (1-0) at Hoffman Estates (1-0)

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

Last week: Elk Grove d. Oak Park 23-20; Hoffman d. Woodstock 7-0

Outlook: Getting to 2-0 would be a huge boost for two programs looking to validate themselves as playoff contenders. "I see a lot of similarities between us and them," said Hoffman coach Bill Helzer. "Like I said about us, when they had to make a play they did and it was usually with (sophomore QB Nick Meyer) making a play." Meyer had a solid varsity debut as he was 10-for-16 for 110 yards and 2 TDs to Matt McEnery with Jake Meyer rushing for 102 yards and a TD. Elk Grove, which won just 1 game the last two seasons and is looking for its first 2-0 start since its 2004 7A quarterfinalist, is looking for a better start and finish and some better tackling from its hard-hitting defense. "The kids just played extremely hard," said Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen. "They've got better athletes than us so we have to play together as a team." Hoffman showed some togetherness when two-way standout Jerome Henderson went out early with a knee injury that will keep him out for at least this week. Mike Swedlund moved over to play CB, the ILB crew of Andrew Pettit, Rocco Silvestri and Greg Carroll had double-figure tackles and linemen Mike Eisele and Jose Flores had 9 tackles apiece in the Hawks' first shutout since 1997. "The kids kind of rallied around Jerome and wanted to play well with him going down," Helzer said. Now Hoffman, which has won 2 games each of the last two years, will try for its first 2-0 start since 1996 in a series Elk Grove leads 15-12.

Conant (1-0) at Prospect (1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at George Gattas Stadium

Last week: Conant d. Lake Park 15-13; Prospect d. Downers Grove North 48-14

Outlook: How impressive was Prospect's offense led by QB Miles Osei (390 total yards, 6 TDs) in its opener? "Miles played really well and some of the kids on offense played really well, but it's hard to say," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman as his team looks to go 2-0 for the first time since 2002. Conant's defense led by LBs James Coleman and Otto Linderman and CB Mark Kosrow will try to contain Osei and his five-receiver sets. "I think Prospect looks pretty good," said Conant coach Bill Modelski. "How good, I don't know, but I guess we'll find out." Modelski thought Conant's offense looked better than the 155 total yards indicated and hopes getting Matt McNiff back from injury will be a boost. "We have to move the ball and score," Modelski said. Prospect gets two-way starters WR-DB Austin Sobey and OL-DL Jon Sawicki back. "They have the potential to make a difference on both sides of the ball," Pearlman said. Conant leads the series 20-17.

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

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

Last week: Barrington d. Libertyville 21-14; Meadows d. Hinsdale South 41-28

Outlook: Two programs that have been perennial playoff participants hook up as Barrington tries to go 2-0 for the first time since its 2003 8A quarterfinalist and Meadows looks to win its first two for the fifth time in six years. "We're a lot alike," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps, whose team led 41-7 after three quarters. "Their quarterback (Cody Seeger) had the ability to break away at any time and they have a nice tailback (Sam Ojuri). Defensively their linebackers are really active and we'll face another 3-5-3." Meadows junior Jimmy Garoppolo had a solid starting debut at QB with 233 total yards and 3 TDs and TB Daquan Edwards had 2 TDs. Millsaps also liked the play of the LB crew of Tim Herff, Brett Lettieri, Devin Daily and Tom Davidson. "That's an explosive group - and we've got our hands full from a defensive perspective," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "Defensively it's a solid group and with Tony (coordinator Wolanski) that's what I'd expect from him and his group." Sanchez liked how his team handled some late adversity and the way Seeger led the offense and hit 7 receivers. A key in a series Barrington leads 7-4 could be its veteran K-P Ryan Murach.

Wheeling (1-0) vs. Schaumburg (0-1)

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

Last week: Wheeling d. Maine West 48-13; Schaumburg lost to Maine South 52-20

Outlook: There were plenty of positives for Wheeling in its biggest outburst since it beat Palatine 48-32 in 1999. Senior QB Matt Holmes had 182 total yards and 5 TDs, Leo Hicks had rushing and receiving TDs and Mike Barton had 2 of the Wildcats' 4 interceptions and broke up 3 passes. "I thought we played well," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar. "But we need to sharpen up and get better at what we do." This is no easy week for Schaumburg after facing one of the state's top teams and offenses in Maine South and QB Charlie Goro. "Maine South is obviously extremely talented but I don't think we were nearly attentive enough to be fundamental in our approach," said Saxons coach Mark Stilling, "and that's going to show up in a hurry against a team like that. When they jumped on us I don't think we really battled and that was an important lesson to be learned." All indications early this week were the Saxons did learn it as Stilling hopes others reach the effort level of safeties Kyle Galovich and Trevor Henry, DE Matt Hutchison and WR Josh Spandiary. Schaumburg leads the series 9-6 as Wheeling tries to go 2-0 for the first time since 1996. "They're really versatile and they'll spread you out," Dunbar said. "They'll do almost anything they can to move that ball."

Fremd (0-1) at Hersey (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Roland Goins Stadium

Last week: Fremd lost to Lake Zurich 33-21; Hersey lost to St. Viator 33-7

Outlook: Fremd comes off an opening-game loss for only the second time in 14 years and rebounded two years ago to win its next 10 and make the 8A quarterfinals. Starting a similar run will require running more plays. "I don't care who you're playing, if you're out there 35 minutes you're not going to hold up as well as you'd like," Fremd coach Mike Donatucci said of the glaring time of possession difference in favor of Lake Zurich. "We were worn down and outmatched at the end and that's something we have to re-emphasize, that doesn't happen." Donatucci was happy with the play of the secondary that included Chris Doloughty and James Szafranski and some of the work up front. Teams may kick to Evan Wright less after he returned two kickoffs for TDs and Donatucci said QB Mike Tauchman did well to complete 63 percent of his 19 passes "with as much pressure as he was getting." Hersey gained 288 yards behind junior QB Steve Nelson in its new audible system but invariably ended up going backward when it got into Viator territory. "I was happy with the way we moved the ball but you've got to put points on the board," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "We have to learn how to finish. I thought Steve was in control and I thought he did a nice job." Fremd has won 6 of the last 7 meetings in a series even at 16-16-1.

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

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last week: Palatine lost to Lake Forest 30-15; BG d. Mundelein 22-10

Outlook: BG got Jim Farrell's coaching career off to a nice start while Palatine's Tyler Donnelly went through a situation he'd never seen as a coach. A succession of injuries took out WR Cody Bobbit (groin), TB Chris Norman (ankle), WR-DB Jimmy LaCapra (cramps) and DE Joe Pelnar (finger) as Lake Forest took the lead and pulled away in the third quarter and Palatine QB Matt Rossi had to run the ball 21 times. "That was unbelievable," Donnelly said. "I've never had that many starters get legitimate injuries. It's no excuse but it's the reality of the situation." Norman is questionable but Donnelly expects to have Pelnar and LaCapra back. Senior S Jack Hansen can also play RB where he was a standout as a sophomore and Donnelly liked what he saw from the defense led by LBs Ryan Cortez and Steve Korus and DL Chad Bobbit and Brock Tenca. "Last year we lost the first game and went on to have a great season," Donnelly said. "It's not the end of the world." BG's first 2-0 start since the 2002 7A quarterfinalist would be big for a program trying to end a four-year playoff drought. Mike Cornely showed he'll be a tough matchup with 3 TD catches from J.P. Kulick in his first varsity start. "He's definitely the guy we want to have there and he made a lot of great decisions people can't see. That was just as encouraging as the throws he made." BG leads the series 16-14 but Palatine has won 8 of the last 10 meetings.

NONCONFERENCE

St. Viator (1-0) at Plainfield North (0-1)

When: 7 p.m. today

Last week: St. Viator d. Hersey 33-7; Plainfield North lost to Lockport 20-14

Outlook: Rolling up 477 total yards last week behind RB Nick Niro (197 yards, 3 TDs) and QB Julian Sipiora (260 total yards) was even more impressive considering Viator's first two series netted only 27 yards. That's not a formula it can expect to repeat for success in the first of its long road hauls this season. "We started off real slow and we're not talented enough to do that," said Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick of the first meeting with Plainfield North. "Especially with these road trips we've got." Plainfield North improved from 1-8 to 3-6 in its first two seasons as a varsity program but let one slip away last week with 5 turnovers as Lockport scored the tiebreaking TD with two minutes left. Standout RB Jake Arnold had 131 yards, QB Bryce Corrigan threw a TD pass and WR Andrew Starks and RB Dominique Ware are threats. "They're very athletic," Kirkpatrick said. "We have to gang-tackle those kids because they can run. It will be a big challenge for us and a big game for us to get before conference."

Round Lake (0-1) at Maine West (0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last week: Round Lake lost to Westosha Central (Wis.) 20-7; Maine West lost to Wheeling 48-13

Outlook: This would be a big confidence booster for two rebuilding programs coming off 1-8 seasons. Chris Hare's second season in charge of Maine West has already seen a bizarre rash of injuries and 5 turnovers were also painful last week. QB Frank Hess threw for 211 yards and a TD to big 6-foot-8 target Tommy Solis. John Coursey made his debut as head coach at Round Lake and gave up 292 of its 321 yards on the ground. The Panthers avoided the shutout with 33 seconds left on QB Matt Ortiz's 14-yard pass to David Windham.

WEST SUBURBAN CROSSOVER

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

When: 7:30 p.m. today at West Campus, Northlake

Last week: Glenbard W. d. Glenbard S. 34-7; Leyden d. Niles N. 30-0

Outlook: After its first shutout since the 2003 finale, Leyden tries to avenge last year's 41-0 loss in Week 2 to Glenbard West and Notre Dame-bound LT-DE Chris Watt (6-5, 290). "He's as advertised to be and they're just a solid team," said Leyden coach Tom Cerasani. "It's going to be a big challenge for us. Last year we went into the game not knowing what to expect and this year we have a lot better feel." Brandon Venson ran for 90 yards and 2 TDs and Chris Cochrane threw for 142 yards and 2 TDs to Jessie Condie as the Hilltoppers pulled away last week with a 20-point fourth quarter. That will be the test for a defense that allowed only 33 total yards and minus-30 yards rushing with 6 sacks as junior DL Jeff Cascella had 10 tackles and 3 sacks and LB Adam Schammert returned a fumble for a TD. "Tony Zitzka (defensive coordinator) did a nice job getting those guys ready to play," Cerasani said. "Cascella really stood out and made a ton of plays." Controlling the clock will also be a key with RB Angel Maldonado (144 yards, 3 TDs) and QB Dave Rose (6-for-7, 106 yards).