Scouting: Cook Co. Week 6

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Prospect (3-2, 1-0) at Rolling Meadows (2-3, 0-1)

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

Last week: Prospect d. Buffalo Grove 42-21; Meadows lost to Wheeling 14-13

Outlook: The stakes have traditionally been high in this rivalry and this year is no exception in the wide-open MSL East race. "Any time we've played Rolling Meadows the records are probably not the most important thing coming into this game," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman. "A lot of things can still happen and it's surely an important game for both teams." Meadows can't afford any more close, tough losses such as the ones last week and to Barrington and Fremd. "We're still giving up big plays and we haven't finished drives off," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps, who took the blame for last week's fumble that led to the game-winning TD. "My biggest concern is we leave a lot of opportunities on the field. I think we can play defense with anybody but we just have to put some points on the board." Millsaps also said the Mustangs need to take more shots down the field with QB Jimmy Garoppolo and avoid penalties that have resulted in 4 lost TDs. Daquan Edwards rushed for 76 yards and 2 TDs last week. "We'll need to play a lot better defense this week," Pearlman said. But the Knights made big strides last week with solid play from ends John Sawicki and Matt Babicz, MLB Zach Anderson, sophomore Mike Geweniger and the secondary after giving up 85 points the previous two weeks. "Guys were challenged," Pearlman said. "This team has kind of struggled to find its identity on defense." The Knights' offensive identity revolves around QB Miles Osei and WR Mike Przespolewski. Millsaps said linemen Aaron Gorney, T.J. Kropp and Erick Louis-Charles are all questionable because of illness and injury. Meadows won 10-7 last year and Prospect leads the series 19-17.

Wheeling (3-2, 1-0) at Elk Grove (1-4, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert Haskell Stadium

Last week: Wheeling d. Rolling Meadows 14-13; Elk Grove lost to Hersey 37-14

Outlook: Wheeling hopes to build momentum off last week's comeback from a 13-0 deficit sparked by the defense of safeties Mike Barton and Mike Zimmer and DL Mike Widmer. Elk Grove has lost four straight with close ones to Hoffman and Conant. Matt McEnery had 11 catches for 135 yards and a TD last week. Wheeling has won 3 straight in a series it leads 15-9.

Hersey (1-4, 1-0) at Buffalo Grove (2-3, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last week: Hersey d. Elk Grove 37-14; BG lost to Prospect 42-21

Outlook: Hersey tries to start a different streak after snapping a 15-game skid last week by racing to a 30-0 lead and 470 total yards behind QB Steve Nelson and sophomore RB Chris Polinski. "He grows by leaps and bounds every week as a runner and competitor," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther of Polinski, who had 140 yards and a TD. "The offensive line has a lot to do with that in making holes for everybody." The Huskies also got a big defensive game from LB Richard Kostuchowski and Nelson and WR Ryan Mengarelli have bolstered the secondary. "It was a big improvement for our defense," Gunther said. "It wasn't anything magical. We got back to basics and fundamentals." BG has given up 81 points the last two weeks and was outgained 528-182 as one of last week's TDs was a Josh Hampton kick return. BG has won 15 of 18 since 1990 to lead the neighborhood rivalry 23-11.

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Conant (3-2, 1-0) at Fremd (4-1, 1-0)

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

Last week: Conant d. Palatine 40-34; Fremd d. Schaumburg 37-35

Outlook: The first game on Fremd's new field turf could be a real show if both offenses can duplicate last week. QB Sean Smith and WR Ryan Amundson led the way to 460 total yards in Conant's upset of Palatine. "I honestly never thought we could win a shootout with them," said Conant coach Bill Modelski. Fremd's dangerous crew of RB Mike Gyetvay, RB Evan Wright, QB Mike Tauchman and WR Andrew Corso had 469 total yards and pulled out their 20th straight West win on Brett Opitz's field goal with five seconds left. "This is a good Fremd team and I'm sure they're feeling some confidence after last week," Modelski said. Conant RB Kendall Lane is questionable after suffering a concussion last week. Fremd has won four straight in a series Conant leads 13-11.

Palatine (3-2, 0-1) at Barrington (5-0, 1-0)

When: 2 p.m. Saturday at Barrington Community Stadium

Last week: Palatine lost to Conant 40-34; Barrington d. Hoffman 41-27

Outlook: A win by Barrington would seal a playoff berth and avoid last year's final Saturday angst of waiting, wondering and finding out there was no postseason. The Broncos continued their big starts last week with a 24-0 lead behind QB Cody Seeger, RB Sam Ojuri and an INT return for TD by Brett Seeger. "Our offense seems to be flowing pretty well and this will be a nice test," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "They've got a really solid defense and they've got some really outstanding players on both sides of the ball." Palatine gets MLB Ryan Cortez back from a back injury and lineman Brock Tenca back (torn finger tendon) needs to rebound behind QB Matt Rossi and RB Jack Hansen in a tough stretch that includes Fremd next week. Palatine won 35-7 last year to end a 5-game losing streak in a series Barrington leads 38-17-1 and dates to 1929.

Schaumburg (3-2, 0-1) at Hoffman Estates (2-3, 0-1)

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

Last week: Schaumburg lost to Fremd 37-35; Hoffman lost to Barrington 41-27

Outlook: How does Schaumburg respond to a dramatic rally that turned into a last-second heartbreaker and how does Hoffman rebound from a 3-game losing streak? It's big for both in the playoff picture where nothing in the division can be taken for granted. The Saxons have major firepower with QB Anthony Iannotti, WR Josh Spandiary and RB Shepard Little and Hoffman got its offense going with QB Frank Wadas last week. Schaumburg has won 9 straight in a series it leads 22-11.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

Benet (1-4, 1-2) at St. Viator (2-3, 0-3)

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

Last week: Benet lost to Nazareth 24-7; St. Viator lost to Marist 41-14

Outlook: A year ago Benet snapped a 3-game winning streak by Viator. Now the Lions hope to snap a 3-game losing streak at the Redwings' expense and keep their postseason hopes alive. Julian Sipiora passed for 138 yards and 2 TDs last week but the Lions couldn't get anything going on the ground without injured RB Nick Niro. The two teams have split 10 meetings since 1990.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Maine West (1-4, 0-1) at Maine East (0-5, 0-1)

When: 7 p.m. today

Last week: Maine West lost to Glenbrook North 34-0; Maine East lost to Deerfield 56-14

Outlook: One of the best shots for Maine East in its 35-game losing streak was last year when Maine West held on for a 20-19 win that was its 17th straight in the series since 1983. The Warriors were held to 165 yards last week but hope QB Frank Hess, RB Calvin Williams and WR Tommy Solis can get going against a Maine East team that has allowed at least 40 points its last 8 games.

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

Proviso East (3-2, 2-1) at Leyden (3-2, 2-1)

When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at West Campus, Northlake

Last week: Proviso East lost 17-14 to Downers Grove South; Leyden d. Willowbrook 33-7

Outlook: Proviso East isn't far from being 5-0 with narrow losses to St. Patrick and Downers South and has traditionally been a big obstacle for Leyden. The Eagles hope to keep the Pirates off the field with RB Angel Maldonado, who had his second straight big game with 197 yards on 27 carries. Dave Rose was only 6-for-16 passing but got 127 yards an a TD to Mike Otte. Jeff Cascella had 13 tackles and a sack as the Eagles look to boost their playoff hopes.