Preview: Elk Grove at Hersey

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

Last week: Elk Grove lost to Conant 20-13; Hersey lost to Palatine 56-14

Outlook: In the wide-open MSL East the winner will build some early confidence. Elk Grove has lost 3 straight but played well last week and got a boost last week as Josh Anderson rushed for 77 yards and a TD. "They're really physical and they get behind that offensive line and run it," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "I'm impressed with their quarterback (sophomore Nick Meyer). Defensively they hit you and they're physical." Hersey finished a rough crossover schedule with Fremd, Schaumburg and Palatine (combined 9-3) but has shown progress offensively with QB Steve Nelson and WR Kyle Mengarelli. "Our schedule has been really strong and I felt at times we played really well with those teams and had opportunities," Gunther said. "Going through the stuff we've been through will certainly have prepared us." Elk Grove has won 7 of 9 to take a 14-9 series lead.