Mid-Suburban football previews
MID-SUBURBAN CROSSOVERS
Fremd (2-1) at Rolling Meadows (2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert A. Hoese Athletic Field
Last week: Fremd d. Wheeling 37-17; Meadows d. Conant 20-14
Outlook: The two MSL programs with the longest current playoff streaks - Fremd at 13 and Meadows at five - would like to enhance keeping them going in a matchup of reigning division champions. Two multifaceted quarterbacks will also test each defense with Fremd's Mike Tauchman (423 yards passing, 3 TDs; 230 rushing, 3 TDs) and Meadows' Jimmy Garoppolo (329 yards passing, 3 TDs; 251 rushing, 2 TDs). But these are hardly one-man shows as Fremd features RB Mike Gyetvay (210 yards, 4 TDs), WR Andrew Corso (12 catches, 224 yards, 1 TD) and kick-return threat Evan Wright (3 TDs) and Meadows has RB Daquan Edwards (157 yards, 4 TDs) and a strong receiving combination in Steve Orchell and Mick Viken. The two teams have split 12 meetings in the series.
Buffalo Grove (2-1) at Barrington (3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Barrington Community Stadium
Last week: BG d. Hoffman 24-7; Barrington d. Prospect 31-12
Outlook: Buffalo Grove is coming off its best defensive effort with 115 yards allowed and Barrington comes in off its best offensive performance with 366 yards and scores on its first five possessions. Slowing Barrington QB Cody Seeger, RBs Sam Ojuri and Dan Santoro and a deep crew of WRs featuring Terrance Terry and Rodney Brown is the challenge for DL Alan Baxter and John Pischak, LBs Kyle Czarnecki and John LeClair and DB Steve Miller. "We have to play assignment football and we can't make mistakes," said BG coach Jim Farrell. "They've got enough players in enough positions to sniff out where you're weak and capitalize on those things. We have to make them drive the football and not big-play us to death, but they're capable of both." BG got solid work on the ground from Josh Hampton and Kevin Mulligan with a combined 161 yards last week and QB J.P. Kulick and WR Mike Cornely are a dangerous combination. Barrington's defense led by LBs Jason Bromm, Alex Smith and Cam Good blanked Prospect for three quarters last week. "That score against Palatine (42-16 loss) to me is really misleading," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "Offensively they're starting to find some things they like and we've got our work cut out for us again." Barrington OL Tyler Sinclair (knee) was very doubtful and DB Jason Taylor (shoulder) was questionable in a series where it has won the last two but trails 17-8.
Prospect (2-1) vs. Schaumburg (2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Conant's Feutz Field
Last week: Prospect lost to Barrington 31-12; Schaumburg d. Hersey 30-28
Outlook: Same records but different paths as Schaumburg overcame a 21-point Hersey second quarter and 8-point halftime deficit for its second straight win, while Prospect couldn't stop Barrington on its first five possessions and trailed 31-0 after three. "They had to respond to some major adversity in that game," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman of the Saxons. "I think they're a better team than they were at the beginning of the season." And falling behind had the opposite effect on Prospect. "I think we got a little panicked and were looking to make the big play instead of taking 5-6 yards at a crack," Pearlman said. "I think how we're playing defense right now definitely affects our offensive mentality." Schaumburg QB Anthony Iannotti was on target last week with 20-for-25 passing for 281 yards and 3 TDs to Josh Spandiary, Shepard Little and Diante Hackler. "When Anthony focuses on the fundamentals he's pretty darn good," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. "He's gotten better every week and I don't think we've seen his best game yet." Mike Valenti made a big return from injury defensively last week for the Saxons as they'll have to contain dangerous Prospect QB Miles Osei. "He's the real deal and the rest of their skill players are pretty athletic," Stilling said. "They've got some kids who can make plays." Prospect has won the last three in a series Schaumburg leads 21-10.
Hoffman Estates (2-1) at Wheeling (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Last week: Hoffman lost to BG 24-7; Wheeling lost to Fremd 37-17
Outlook: Hoffman hopes to end a 14-year playoff drought by duplicating what Wheeling did a year ago when it snapped an 11-year streak out of the postseason. Both could use a victory here to enhance their hopes of playing beyond Week 9. Hoffman's defense led by LB Greg Carroll and S Tom Dombrowski allowed only 215 yards last week and kept the game at 9-7 into the fourth quarter. But its offense was held to 111 yards and got its only score on Foyin Alade's 12-yard run in the second quarter. Wheeling was tied 10-10 when Fremd took control with 21 unanswered points. The Hawks will have to contain QB Matt Holmes and WR James Kurtz, who hooked up 5 times for 74 yards and a TD last week. Wheeling has won the last two meetings to tie the series at 6-6.
Hersey (0-3) at Palatine (2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Chic Anderson Stadium
Last week: Hersey lost to Schaumburg 30-28; Palatine d. Elk Grove 44-7
Outlook: Palatine has been on top of its game the last seven quarters by allowing only 7 points after giving up 16 in the first quarter at Buffalo Grove. "We changed some things in the pregame and challenged the kids to be ready from the first snap," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "We seemed to have a lot of success early." And through three quarters as the Pirates built a 44-0 lead and saw its first team defense allow only 44 yards and contain dangerous Elk Grove QB Nick Meyer. Now the crew led by LB Ryan Cortez gets another tough test in Hersey QB Steve Nelson, who had 341 total yards and 4 TDs last week. "He's a heck of an athlete and a competitor," Donnelly said. "Our defense definitely has its work cut out for it." So does Hersey as Palatine QB Matt Rossi had 306 total yards and 5 TDs and RB Jack Hansen had his second straight solid game with 78 yards. RB Chris Norman is also back to 100 percent this week. "We have different plays where they can both be in at the same time," Donnelly said. "They both bring different things." Versatile WR-RB Jamie Silveira is also back for the Pirates, who have won 7 of the last 9 meetings but trail the series 18-15.
Conant (1-2) at Elk Grove (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert Haskell Stadium
Last week: Conant lost to Meadows 20-14; Elk Grove lost to Palatine 44-7
Outlook: This one is more about local bragging rights as both have lost two straight since close opening-night wins. And Conant was close again for the second straight week after trailing 14-0 at halftime. "We felt pretty good about the night as far as how we played because I think Rolling Meadows is a pretty good football team," said Conant coach Bill Modelski, whose team had two possessions to tie the game. "But we have to get real wins, not moral ones." Conant got solid play from LBs James Coleman and Otto Linderman and its front last week. Elk Grove sophomore QB Nick Meyer rushed for 97 yards and a TD last week but was outgained 395-156 by Palatine. "The first two weeks they showed they're pretty dangerous at times," Modelski said. "We have to play a good football game. We need to get on the left side of the column again." Elk Grove has won the last three meetings of a series Conant leads 18-17.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
Joliet Catholic (1-2, 1-0) at St. Viator (2-1, 0-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Forest View
Last week: Joliet Catholic d. Nazareth 40-12; St. Viator lost to St. Patrick 14-0
Outlook: Don't be fooled by Joliet Catholic's record - with losses to 7A title contenders Carmel and Wheaton Warrenville South. The Hilltoppers bounced back in impressive fashion by taking a 14-0 lead just 1:14 in over a solid Nazareth team. Standout RB Tyler Hudetz got rolling last week with 204 yards and 2 TDs after a combined 136 yards in the first two games. FB Calvin Smith, a transfer from Providence, added 62 yards and a TD as Joliet Catholic didn't attempt a pass last week. Viator has never beaten the state-record 13-time and defending 6A state champions in 23 tries but they didn't meet the last two seasons. The Lions hung tough last week and trailed only 7-0 through three as they allowed only 159 total yards. QB Julian Sipiora threw for 100 yards and rushed for 25 and RB Nick Niro rushed for 56 yards against the Shamrocks as the Lions look to control the clock.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN CROSSOVER
Glenbrook South (3-0) at Maine West (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Last week: Glenbrook South d. Highland Park 49-0; Maine West lost to Evanston 21-7
Outlook: Maine West was on the verge of a 2-1 start as it took a 7-6 lead into the fourth quarter at Evanston on a 50-yard option pass from Nick Abramsan to Tom Solis. But the Warriors couldn't hang on and now face CSL South title contender Glenbrook South, which has outscored its opponents 112-28. Last week the Titans showed their diversity as QB Ryan Hopkins, the son of former Maine South head coach Phil Hopkins, threw a pair of TD passes to Trent Monckton and FB Michael Hirsch also rushed for 110 yards and 2 TDs. Hirsch also ran for 139 yards and 3 TDs in a season-opening win over Glenbrook North. The injury-plagued Warriors were also missing sophomore RB Calvin Williams (sprained ankle) last week. Glenbrook South has won 6 of 7 meetings since 1995.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
Morton (1-2, 0-1) at Leyden (1-2, 0-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at West Campus, Northlake
Last week: Morton lost 21-14 to Addison Trail; Leyden lost 21-20 (3 OT) to Hinsdale South
Outlook: Morton broke a 19-game losing streak 22-14 in its opener with Farragut and just missed a second win last week. Leyden can hardly afford to look past the Mustangs after coming up short on a 2-point conversion for the win on the final play last week. "They seem to always come out and play you tough and hit you hard," said Leyden coach Tom Cerasani. "We're in a situation if we're going to make the playoffs we've got to win this game." Morton will run the option with RB Moses Menendez testing the Leyden defense led by Jeff Cascella (4 sacks) and Adam Schammert. The Eagles hope to get RB Angel Maldonado (232 yards) going while QB David Rose (23-for-38, 253 yards) threw a late tying TD pass of 45 yards to Kevin Lindahl last week. "One thing we took out of it is the kids never gave up," Cerasani said.