Preview: Northwest suburban Week 8

Scouting this week's Cook County football games

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Wheeling (5-2, 3-0) at Prospect (5-2, 3-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at George Gattas Stadium

Last week: Wheeling d. Buffalo Grove 17-13; Prospect d. Hersey 35-21

Outlook: The showdown gives the winner the inside track to the outright East title - Wheeling shared it last year but hasn't won it all alone since 1985 and Prospect has won four outright crowns since 2001. Prospect's high-powered offense led by QB Miles Osei (1,378 yards passing, 13 TDs, 1 INT; 769 rushing, 11 TDs), Mike Przespolewski (666 yards rushing, 7 TDs) and WRs Peter Bonahoom, Sean Baltowski and Austin Sobey faces a playmaking defense led by Matt Splon, Mike Zimmer, Jordan Stephani and Mike Widmer that has 12 interceptions and 17 takeaways. "If you play too aggressively they're going to see that and take advantage of it," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar. "With their speed if you overplay it they're going to cut back and on you and go against the grain." Prospect's defense, which could be without injured MLB Zach Anderson, has tightened up in the East but has challenges with QB Matt Holmes (719 yards passing, 8 TDs; 403 rushing, 9 TDs), WR James Kurtz (32 catches, 382 yards, 5 TDs), Zimmer and a deep crew of running backs. "I don't know if we can match them athlete for athlete in the skill spots," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman. "They have a couple of kids we don't have." Turnovers fueled Wheeling's 25-21 win last year as it ended a 7-game losing streak in a series it leads 13-12-1.

Rolling Meadows (3-4, 1-2) at Hersey (1-6, 1-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Roland Goins Athletic Field

Last week: Hersey lost to Prospect 35-21; Meadows d. Elk Grove 25-13

Outlook: Meadows rallied in the fourth quarter last week to end a 3-game losing streak and keep its hopes for a sixth straight playoff berth alive. "We needed a little luck, too, doggone it," Meadows coach Doug Millsaps said of a fourth-and-goal fumble leading to center Tommy Davidson's TD in a season with 3 tough losses. "It was nice to find a way to get one." Junior QB Jimmy Garoppolo had one of his better games with WRs Mick Viken and Steve Orchell but the Mustangs' defense will try to keep Hersey QB Steve Nelson (980 yards passing, 6 TDs; 573 rushing, 9 TDs) off the field as much as possible. "We tend to give those (long) drives up," Millsaps said. "We've got to find a way to curtail those." Meadows has won three straight in a series Hersey leads 15-8.

Buffalo Grove (3-4, 2-1) at Elk Grove (1-6, 0-3)

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

Last week: BG lost to Wheeling 17-13; Elk Grove lost to Meadows 25-13

Outlook: BG knows this isn't an easy trip to keep its playoff hopes alive as Elk Grove has one of the MSL's most physical teams with LB Jake Meyer and linemen Andy Mack and Chris Kirkpatrick. "Our backs are to the wall but I think our kids are up for the challenge," said BG coach and former Elk Grove offensive coordinator Jim Farrell. Limiting turnovers is crucial for both teams going with first-year QBs - BG senior J.P. Kulick (1,179 yards, 9 TDs) and top target Mike Cornely (28 catches, 508 yards, 7 TDs) and Elk Grove sophomore Nick Meyer (670 yards passing, 5 TDs; 321 rushing, 4 TDs). "The athletes BG has are very dangerous," said Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen. "But our kids are going to rise to the challenge, especially on the defensive side of the ball." BG has won three straight in a series it leads 16-4.

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Barrington (6-1, 2-1) at Fremd (5-2, 2-1)

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

Last week: Barrington d. Schaumburg 49-29; Fremd lost to Palatine 28-21

Outlook: The winner of what has annually become an anticipated matchup could be atop the West all alone or part of a two- or three-way tie going into the final week. Barrington rebounded impressively from a 41-35 loss to Palatine and now tries to keep Fremd, which has won three straight outright West crowns, from doing the same. "They're an explosive team and they've got a lot of good things going," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "They present a lot of difficult challenges." Fremd QB Mike Tauchman and WR Andrew Corso are coming off school-record setting games but were forced to the air nearly 50 times after falling behind 21-0. "We fixed the (defensive) problems we had and shut them out the second half," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "I told the kids the way they played in the second half is part of the game. Someone's going to win and someone's going to lose." Fremd hasn't lost consecutive division games since 2000 and gets a tough defensive test again with RB Sam Ojuri (867 yards, 13 TDs), QB Cody Seeger (1,145 yards passing, 9 TDs; 367 rushing, 5 TDs) and a balanced crew of receivers. Fremd has won three straight and 7 of 8 meetings in a series it leads 18-13.

Conant (4-3, 2-1) at Schaumburg (4-3, 1-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Gary Scholz Stadium

Last week: Conant d. Hoffman Estates 22-21 (2 ot); Schaumburg lost to Barrington 49-29

Outlook: This is the equivalent of a playoff game as Schaumburg returns home on its new field turf for the first time. Both teams will have playoff points to spare with 5 wins. "This is a big one because both of us have tall tasks after that," said Conant coach Bill Modelski of finishing with Barrington and Schaumburg ending with Palatine. Conant continued an amazing run of every game coming down to the wire and QB Sean Smith (849 yards passing, 4 TDs; 516 rushing, 8 TDs) got a boost with the return of RB Kendall Lane (360 yards, 4 TDs) from injury last week. "(Lane) is impressive and watching Smith play, he strikes me as being a tough kid," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. The tough task for Conant is containing a prolific offense led by QB Anthony Iannotti (1,733 yards, 19 TDs, 1 INT), WR Josh Spandiary (50 catches, 578 yards, 9 TDs) and RB Shepard Little (907 yards, 11 TDs). "Little is really the guy we've got to take out of the game," Modelski said. Schaumburg lost OL Mario Echevaria (torn ACL) but junior Richard Barnes filled in well. Conant has won 5 of the last 7 in a series it leads 23-14.

Palatine (5-2, 2-1) at Hoffman Estates (2-5, 0-3)

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

Last week: Palatine d. Fremd 28-21; Hoffman lost to Conant 22-21 (2 ot)

Outlook: Palatine took out two of the West heavyweights in Barrington and Fremd to move into the four-team logjam for first. But the Pirates know what they can't do to remain on top. "I don't think there's any need to worry about a letdown," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "These kids have to fight every game as Conant (40-34 loss) proved." Hoffman has picked it up offensively the last few weeks with QB Frank Wadas (977 yards, 5 TDs) and WR Mike Swedlund (33 catches, 369 yards, 2 TDs) and looks to Swedlund, S Tom Dombrowski and crew to contain Palatine QB Matt Rossi (1,772 yards, 13 TDs) and a deep receiving crew led by Jose Munoz (42 catches, 710 yards, 6 TDs). "We're talking up being a big factor in who wins the West," said Hoffman coach Bill Helzer. "We've got Palatine and Fremd, both are playoff teams and we'll find out where we stand." Palatine has won 3 of 4 in a series it leads 15-9.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

Notre Dame (4-3, 2-3) at St. Viator (3-4, 1-4)

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

Last week: Notre Dame lost to Nazareth 30-14; St. Viator d. Marian Catholic 16-10

Outlook: Another playoff for the playoffs with Viator needing to win out and Notre Dame knowing Joliet Catholic looms next week. "I feel like we're getting better and I don't think many people think we have a shot," said Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick. "I think we've got a shot but we have to play well." The Lions did defensively last week as Shane Martin moved from LB to DE and had 3 sacks and 5 tackles for losses. This week they face a spread offense led by Eric Hennessey, who was 31-for-50 for 201 yards and 2 TDs two weeks ago in a 21-14 loss to Carmel. "It's going to be tough," Kirkpatrick said. "They're a good team and we're going to have to play our butts off." St. Viator is 21-12 since 1970 in the series.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Highland Park (5-2, 3-0) at Maine West (2-5, 1-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Last week: Highland Park d. Deerfield 27-24 (3 ot); Maine West lost to Niles North 48-20

Outlook: A dramatic victory over its biggest rival last week put Highland Park in position to win the division title. Brian Wilneff had 2 TD catches in the overtimes and QB Anthony Kopp threw for 4 TDs two weeks ago in a 31-21 win over Glenbrook North. Maine West would love to put a dent in the Giants' title hopes and were even last week with Niles North but gave up 28 unanswered second-half points. Senior QB Frank Hess rushed for 90 yards and 2 TDs and threw for 156 yards last week. Highland Park has won three straight in a series it leads 18-7 since 1979.

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

Addison Trail (2-5, 2-2) at Leyden (3-4, 2-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at West Campus, Northlake

Last week: Addison Trail lost 35-0 to Downers Grove South; Leyden lost 31-13 to Lyons

Outlook: A Week 9 matchup with perennial Gold power Downers Grove South won't matter if Leyden doesn't take care of business and keep its playoff hopes alive with this one. "Addison has always got some really tough kids and now they've got everybody back," said Leyden coach Tom Cerasani. "Any time you play Addison you know you're in for a physical football game." Junior QB David Rose was 16-for-27 for 190 yards last week and junior DE Jeff Cascella continued his tremendous play. "I liked the way we played in the second half (last week)," Cerasani said.