Preview: Mid-Suburban East
Mid-Suburban East
Buffalo Grove (3-3, 1-1) at Wheeling (4-2, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Last week: BG d. Hersey 27-14; Wheeling d. Elk Grove 24-0
Outlook: BG's playoff hopes and Wheeling's division title hopes are at stake. BG senior QB J.P. Kulick was 21-for-34 for 314 yards and a TD and will try to find Mike Cornely, Josh Hampton and crew against Wheeling's hard-hitting defense led by Mike Zimmer, Jordan Stephani, Mike Barton and Tony Brzezniak. "The one common denominator in our 3 wins is J.P. making good decisions throwing the football," said BG coach Jim Farrell. "He had a good feel for the game and was making some real good decisions." The challenge for BG's defense is containing WR James Kurtz and Matt Holmes, the third straight QB it has faced that is a running and passing threat. Wheeling lost RB Brendon Pozniak (dislocated elbow) indefinitely but Leo Hicks rushed for 105 yards last week. "Offensively I thought we played well but we just made mistakes at inopportune times," Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar said of 4 turnovers. "I felt like we hurt ourselves but on the other hand, Elk Grove played well and they rose to the occasion." Wheeling's win last year ended a 9-game losing streak in a series it trails 25-9.
Hersey (1-5, 1-1) at Prospect (4-2, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at George Gattas Stadium
Last week: Hersey lost to BG 27-14; Prospect d. Meadows 42-7
Outlook: Prospect has recaptured some of its traditional swagger with convincing wins the last two weeks where a much more aggressive defense has fueled the high-powered offense of QB Miles Osei, WR-RB Mike Przespolewski, WR Peter Bonahoom and WR Austin Sobey. "The kids are practicing better and having a lot more fun and showing a little more enthusiasm," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman. "The defense played with some confidence and it feels like Prospect football again. It's kind of re-energized the whole team." Hersey was in position to make it two straight wins as it scored first on a run by sophomore RB Chris Polinski and drove 97 yards at the end of the half but came away empty. "We haven't played a full game all year," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "We need to take it to the next level or I don't think any of us will be really satisfied." Prospect has won 3 straight in a series it leads 16-9.
Elk Grove (1-5, 0-2) at Rolling Meadows (2-4, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert A. Hoese Athletic Field
Last week: Elk Grove lost to Wheeling 24-0; Meadows lost to Prospect 42-7
Outlook: After three heartbreaking losses, Meadows couldn't get anything going last week and now has to win out to extend its streak of playoff appearances to six. Can the Mustangs put together a similar run to the 2004 team that went from 2-4 to the 7A semifinals? Elk Grove hung tough into the fourth quarter with Wheeling last week but committed 4 turnovers in its fifth straight loss. Matt McEnery had 1 of the Grenadiers' 4 takeaways and caught 3 passes for 39 yards. Meadows has won the last 3 meetings but trails the series 19-16.
MID-SUBURBAN WEST
Fremd (5-1, 2-0) at Palatine (4-2, 1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Chic Anderson Stadium
Last week: Fremd d. Conant 13-7; Palatine d. Barrington 41-35
Outlook: One of the most-anticipated cross-town matchups in more than a decade as Palatine is off to its best start since 1997 and Fremd is shooting for its fourth straight outright West title. Last year Palatine fell behind 21-0 in the first seven minutes and Fremd's Mike Tauchman tied a school record with 4 INTs. "I don't think there will be any lack of motivation on Matt's (QB Rossi) part after Tauchman picked him four times last year," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnellly. "It should be a fun game." Donnelly also hopes LB Ryan Cortez and DL Brock Tenca are even better this week after they came back against Barrington from one-week injury layoffs. The Pirates hope to duplicate last week's second half where they allowed 6 points against high-powered Fremd's offense with Tauchman, WR Andrew Corso, RBs Mike Gyetvay and Evan Wright and OL Christian Lombard and Jimmy Norris. Fremd has allowed 7 points last week and three weeks ago against Meadows behind LBs Jonathan Diegel and Jeff Bobek but LB Ben Perna and DB James Szafranski are questionable because of injury against the highest-scoring MSL team with multiple receiving threats led by Jose Munoz and Cody Bobbit and RB Jack Hansen. "Without a doubt," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci of this being its biggest defensive challenge. "After surviving Schaumburg it's nice to have bodies back on the field and have some options." Fremd's 24-7 win last year was its seventh straight and ninth in the last 10 meetings of a series it leads 25-15.
Schaumburg (4-2, 1-1) at Barrington (5-1, 1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Barrington Community Stadium
Last week: Schaumburg d. Hoffman 44-17; Barrington lost to Palatine 41-35
Outlook: Can the second- and third-highest scoring teams in the MSL this year top last year's 49-46 win by Barrington that produced the most points in a game in MSL history? Experienced and talented offensive lines for Schaumburg QB Anthony Iannotti, RB Shepard Little and WR Josh Spandiary and Barrington QB Cody Seeger, RB Sam Ojuri and WR Terrance Terry. "They can attack you in so many different ways," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. "They have a pretty nice offensive package." Barrington had to settle for a pair of Ryan Murach field goals after a 29-point first half last week. "In a lot of ways it was a blessing in disguise and we played a team that was hungry," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "We needed to match their intensity level and I thought we did, but we just fell a little short. What happens in a playoff game is you make those mistakes, that's the difference between moving on and the end of the season." Barrington has won 6 straight in a series it leads 14-7.
Hoffman Estates (2-4, 0-2) at Conant (3-3, 1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Feutz Field
Last week: Hoffman lost to Schaumburg 44-17; Conant lost to Fremd 13-7
Outlook: The annual Mayor's Trophy game is also a must-win for Hoffman to keep the playoff aspirations it had coming into the season and the ones that have developed for Conant in a season where all of its games have been decided by 8 points or less. The Cougars' defense led by ILBs James Coleman and Otto Linderman contained Fremd last week and the offense will get a boost with the return of RB Kendall Lane from a concussion. "We've played well for six weeks and we've got to finish it off here," said Conant coach Bill Modelski, whose team finishes with Schaumburg and Barrington. "Our backs are a little bit to the wall. We have to play well and beat some good teams down the stretch. We're in position to do it but we've got to get it done." And Hoffman is clearly a big challenge as it was tied 17-17 in the fourth quarter before suffering its fourth straight loss despite 347 total yards from QB Frank Wadas. "They're certainly capable of beating anybody in the division," Modelski said. Conant has won 7 straight in a series it leads 23-11.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
Maine West (2-4, 1-1) at Niles North (2-4, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. today at Chuck Pos Stadium
Last week: Maine West d. Maine East 34-22; Niles North lost to Deerfield 44-14
Outlook: Maine West doubled its win total of a year ago and now has a chance to win consecutive games for the first time since the middle of the 2006 season. "The offensive line is playing with a lot more confidence and the defense is as well," said second-year Maine West coach Chris Hare. The Warriors also showed something Hare has been looking for after Maine East scored on the first play last week. "One of our Achilles' heels has been once adversity happens, we usually don't overcome that," Hare said. The Warriors did as sophomore Calvin Williams rushed for 234 yards and a TD and QB Frank Hess rushed for 103 and 2 TDs. "It was in a way a coming out for Calvin," Hare said. "He finally ran with some authority and confidence." Maine West may need all the points it can get this week against a Niles North team that beat Niles West 64-63 but also lost to Highland Park 75-36. Terry Turner has rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the Vikings, who have won the last two meetings after Maine West won 13 straight.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
St. Viator (2-4, 0-4) at Marian Catholic (1-5, 1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Spartan Stadium
Last week: St. Viator lost to Benet 15-13; Marian Catholic lost to Nazareth 42-13
Outlook: The Lions need this one to keep any playoff hopes alive and end a 4-game losing streak. They nearly pulled off a fourth-quarter rally last week but fell short as RB Nick Niro returned from an ankle injury to take some pressure off QB Julian Sipiora and WR Richard McLoughlin. Marian lost its first 3 games by a total of 14 points before rallying from a 12-0 halftime deficit to beat St. Joseph, but two weeks ago it trailed 50-0 at halftime in 50-7 loss to Carmel. The Spartans' 28-14 win over Viator last year was their ninth in 10 meetings since 1990.
WEST SUBURBAN CROSSOVER
Leyden (3-3) at Lyons (2-4)
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at West Campus
Last week: Leyden lost to Proviso East 35-7; Lyons d. Proviso West 44-12
Outlook: A must-win to keep both teams' playoff hopes alive - and they still have daunting tasks on their schedules as Leyden faces Downers Grove South and Lyons has unbeaten Glenbard West. Leyden couldn't sustain a good start last week as it lost 3 fumbles and Angel Maldonado rushed for 92 of its 120 total yards. Lyons' first three losses were to teams with a combined 14-4 record and it won last week as RB Deonte Brown (152 yards), QB Ryan Mitchell (103 yards) and RB Nick Brown (87 yards) had 2 TDs apiece in its option offense that didn't attempt a pass in 64 plays.
NORTH SUBURBAN
Stevenson (3-3) at Lakes (2-4)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Stevenson lost to Libertyville, 28-21; Lakes def. North Chicago, 28-26.
Outlook: It's the first-ever meeting between the two teams in this North Suburban Conference crossover. Stevenson looks to rebound after its road loss at Libertyville last Friday night snapped a three-game winning streak. Lefty quarterback Zach Wujcik needs only 22 passing yards to surpass 1,000 for the second year in a row. His main receiver is veteran Mike Bilton (27 catches, 14.8 average). Patriots running back Mark Weisman has gained 565 yards (4.9 average) and has scored 10 touchdowns. Lakes running back Josh Gaido rushed for a career-best 4 touchdowns last Friday night in the Eagles' win over North Chicago. The victory kept alive Lakes' playoff hopes.
Libertyville (3-3, 2-1) at Warren (5-1, 4-0)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Libertyville def. Stevenson, 28-21; Warren def. Zion-Benton, 31-14.
Outlook: This game suddenly takes on much more meaning than it once looked like it would. After all, Libertyville started the season with a whimper at 0-3. But with three straight wins, including an electrifying come-from-behind victory last week against Stevenson, the Wildcats seem to be back on track and anxious to create even more havoc in the North Suburban Lake Division-But Warren, which has been steady-Freddy in leading the Lake Division, will be a tough nut to crack.
FOX VALLEY
Prairie Ridge (4-2, 2-0) at Grayslake North (0-6, 0-2)
When: 7:45 p.m.
Last week: Prairie Ridge def. Crystal Lake Central, 24-0; Grayslake North lost to Johnsburg, 49-7.
Outlook: Prairie Ridge comes into the Fox Valley Fox Division game off an impressive win over Crystal Lake Central, which was undefeated. The previous week, the Wolves rolled up 59 points in a win over Johnsburg. Grayslake North continues to have its problems on both sides of the ball. The Knights did avoid a third straight loss by shutout last Friday night against Johnsburg and had some success running the ball. Glenn Mizowek rushed 24 times for 113 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown run, and Mike Morales gained 92 yards on 12 carries.
Johnsburg (2-4, 1-1) at Grayslake Central (0-6, 0-2)
When: 7:45 p.m.
Last week: Johnsburg def. Grayslake North, 49-7; Grayslake Central lost to Huntley, 44-6.
Outlook: Grayslake Central has allowed a Fox Valley Conference Fox Division-worst 239 points (39.8 per game)and now faces a Johnsburg team that boasts the dynamic duo of quarterback Jerad Grundy and tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz. Fiedorowicz, a 6-foot-7 junior who's played three varsity sports since his freshman year, did it all against Grayslake North last Friday night. He hauled in 2 TD passes from Grundy, threw a touchdown pass and scored on a 10-yard run. Grundy passed for 211 yards.