Competitiveness keeps Hoffman, Elk Grove upbeat

There was a lot of optimism from Hoffman Estates and Elk Grove going into their Week 2 Mid-Suburban League football crossover.

Hoffman was coming off its first shutout in 11 years over a Woodstock team now headed to the playoffs. Elk Grove had just beaten an Oak Park-River Forest team still in the postseason hunt.

Hoffman's 19-6 win turned out to be its last and started Elk Grove on a 6-game losing streak.

But admiration from head coaches Bill Helzer of Hoffman and Tom Whalen of Elk Grove for how their teams have played during this rough stretch has them optimistic about what's ahead.

Helzer said last week's heartbreaking 22-21 loss to Conant on a 2-point conversion in overtime was Hoffman's best performance in his three years in charge of the program.

"People say you're only as good as your record, but I think we've really closed the gap between us and the rest of the conference," Helzer said. "From where Hoffman was three years ago to where Hoffman is now, we have a chance to win every night.

"Starting 2-0 and losing five in a row has been tough, but I like the progress we've made. Obviously in year three we wanted to be in a better position than we are right now, but you've got to compete before you can win and we're competing right now."

The only game Hoffman was truly out of was a 39-3 loss to Wheeling. The Hawks gave Barrington a solid challenge and were tied in the fourth quarter with Schaumburg in a 44-17 loss.

The offense has picked up in recent weeks with senior quarterback Frank Wadas and senior receiver Mike Swedlund. Hoffman would love to put together a couple of complete games against Palatine and Fremd.

"We told our kids we control who is going to win the West," Helzer said. "These are our playoff games."

Elk Grove has also been in a similar situation where the only game that really got out of hand was a 42-7 loss to Palatine.

Last week the Grens led Rolling Meadows in the fourth quarter but a Mustangs' fumble on fourth-and-goal turned into a touchdown in their 25-13 comeback victory.

"We've caught some bad breaks but the kids are playing hard," Whalen said. "It's been difficult because obviously we didn't expect to be where we're at where wins or losses are concerned.

"We've had some games where we've killed ourselves and we've had some bad breaks."

Whalen expected some growing pains with sophomore quarterback Nick Meyer but he's also showed plenty of promise for a bright future.

And Whalen has seen a much more competitive team through the play of senior Jake Meyer at middle linebacker, linemen Andy Mack and Chris Kirkpatrick, linebacker Kyle Pfister and safety Charlie Ostman.

"We definitely have not met our goals but it's not because of a lack of effort," Whalen said. "The seniors have done an excellent job of carrying the program in high esteem and doing things right.

"I couldn't be prouder of them. We play physical but unfortunately for us the ball hasn't bounced the right way."

But the Grens have a chance to determine the playoff hopes of Buffalo Grove tonight and the MSL East title hopes of Prospect next week.

"I'd like to think we'll have a little say in the outcome of it," said Whalen, whose team stayed with East co-leader Wheeling through three quarters.

One thing doesn't change: Prospect coach Brent Pearlman sees a significant similarity between Wheeling now and its teams that struggled to stay competitive at the beginning of the decade.

Only now, the Wildcats have talented athletes such as quarterback Matt Holmes, safeties Mike Zimmer and Mike Barton and receiver James Kurtz producing the same effort.

"I've been saying this for a lot of years about them, their kids always play extremely hard and with a ton of hustle," Pearlman said. "Now they've got things rolling and that makes a ton of difference.

"The way they run the field and do things allows them to be a little less perfect but no less effective. Success hasn't diminished that (effort) at all. They still do it."

Sam I am: Barrington senior Sam Ojuri put on a show last Friday with 224 yards rushing on 24 carries. The first of his 4 touchdowns was a 78-yard run in the opening minute.

"It was impressive," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "That was pretty special. He showed once again why he's one of the top players around.

"He's got the ability with the ball in his hands to make things happen. And Sam will be the first to tell you one of the reasons is we have a lot of offensive versatility."

So does Ojuri, who caught 4 passes for 82 yards and a TD from Cody Seeger.

And the best part for Ojuri is he'll get to make up the Rolling Meadows game he missed with an ankle injury.

"Obviously one of our goals was to ourselves back to the playoffs," said Sanchez, whose 5-4 team didn't have enough points last year to extend a 5-year postseason run. "Fortunately we were able to take care of that. Now it's about other goals like competing for an MSL championship."

Down to the wire: If Conant's first 7 games are any indication then fans at Schaumburg for tonight's key MSL West battle shouldn't plan to head for the exits early.

Last week's 22-21 overtime win over Hoffman was the closest call for the Cougars in a season where every game has been decided by 8 points or less.

"I don't know about any (seasons) like this one," Conant coach Bill Modelski laughed of having one where every game was in doubt until the final minutes. "This one is pretty weird."

A couple of missed field goals played a role in Modelski going for and getting the winning 2-point conversion run from Kendall Lane after quarterback Sean Smith's 10-yard touchdown run.

And what's made it even weirder for Conant is it is right with projected division big boys Palatine, Fremd and Barrington in the four-way logjam at the top.

"They certainly find a way to compete," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. "They play hard and they've been there every week.

"They find a way to make sure the outcome is still in doubt at the final horn."

Stormin' Norman: Palatine senior Chris Norman came into the season as the team's top returning rusher and was expected to be the feature back in its new spread offense.

But an opening night injury opened the door for running and pass catching threat Jack Hansen to take over in the backfield.

Now, Norman is making major contributions on the other side of the ball after getting his shot there when standout middle linebacker Ryan Cortez couldn't play against Conant with back trouble.

"He really wasn't in our defensive plans when the season started," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "Chris is one of those energetic kids who will play wherever you put him.

"More than anything he's kind of found a home on defense. Chris is really excelling at defense."

Donnelly said he is hoping to get Norman more work at tailback. Some players would have pouted or balked at losing their shot at adulation and glory but Norman didn't.

"I don't think anyone has much of an ego," Donnelly said. "They're amazing kids in terms of character."

Tyler Jones, who starts and rotates in at defensive tackle, even played as long as he could with a torn meniscus he suffered in the summer. Donnelly said it just got too painful and Jones had surgery Tuesday.

Nice move: Moving senior Shane Martin from linebacker to defensive end paid immediate dividends for St. Viator.

Martin had 3 sacks and 5 tackles for losses as the Lions' 16-10 win was their first ever at Marian Catholic.

"He played pretty well," said Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick. "They're (Marian) struggling, but we played well and did what we had to do.

"We're just hanging on for dear life."

The Lions hope to keep hanging on to their playoff lives tonight with a win over Notre Dame.

Homecoming of sorts: First-year Buffalo Grove coach Jim Farrell will see a lot of familiar faces tonight at Elk Grove, where he had been the offensive coordinator.

"I know they're fighters and they'll fight you to the last whistle," Farrell said. "It's a fun game and I'm looking forward to playing them. There's no animosity and no bitterness there."

But Elk Grove would love nothing more than to spoil BG's playoff hopes.

"It's like a brother war," said Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen, who was also an assistant with Farrell under Bruce Bazsali. "There's no dislike or ill feelings but it's definitely one you want to win."