Burning questions will be answered

There are some burning questions regarding the magnificent seven still alive and playing in the football postseason from the Mid-Suburban League.

Will one of the most balanced seasons in league history be an asset against some of the state's powers?

Will the MSL's proliferation of spread offenses give fits to defenses used to facing more traditional attacks? Will rougher weather and tougher defenses keep the spread teams from their big numbers?

Conversely, will MSL defenses find life a lot easier against more standard offenses?

Answers will start forming this weekend - minus the Palatine at Fremd cross-town collision at 7 p.m. Friday - as a record-tying seven MSL teams (2001 and 2003 were the others) made the 256-team field.

The belief there was no dominant team in the league this year came to fruition. This year was only the third in MSL history (1967 and 1989) without an unbeaten or 1-loss team after the regular season.

"The teams we play week in and week out, everybody has good, quality teams," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar, whose team is making consecutive playoff trips for the first time. "We've faced a lot of different types of defenses and offensively we've seen a lot of spreads - where you have to play fast and fly to the ball. I think we're prepared up and down the line."

Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said a recent discussion with first-year assistants Rich Roberts and Mike Staudt, who came over from Buffalo Grove, and offensive coordinator Dan Young had them viewing the MSL West this year as how it was in the MSL North before division realignment took effect in 1998.

"All those games were a slugfest every week and that's the way it's been this year," Sanchez said. "I really do firmly believe, week in and week out, I can't imagine we're not prepared for anything anybody is going to throw at us."

This has been a year where people have thrown footballs around and put up almost unheard of offensive numbers. It's spread defenses as thin as they could imagine.

Facing a traditional power-I formation team or even an option team might seem like a welcome respite.

"If we play a more conventional, non-spread team it will be to our advantage," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci, who won't have that luxury Friday against Palatine's spread operated by Matt Rossi. "There are so many things the spread doesn't allow you to do (defensively)."

Defenses not used to seeing the spread might be in for a rude awakening.

"Another major factor is what a spread team does," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman, who has one of the area's most dangerous quarterbacks in Miles Osei. "If you can run and throw, for someone defending a lot of wing-T, this is good for us."

There is the weather factor which came into play Friday with rain and wind and mud for those still playing on natural turf. Pearlman's belief his offense wouldn't be affected much was backed up in a 34-6 win over Elk Grove.

Palatine didn't throw as much as usual but rolled up 262 of its 381 yards on the ground in a 31-10 victory as it held Schaumburg to a season-low point total.

"I cannot complain defensively," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly of allowing 23 points the last 2 games. "We've started to get it going defensively and that's good news going to the playoffs."

Rolling Meadows is making its sixth straight playoff trip and coach Doug Millsaps said, "one thing about the MSL, our speed across the board is as good as anybody's or better."

Does all of it mean someone will make a big run as Meadows did from 2-4 to the Class 7A semifinals in 2004? Or will everyone be done early?

"I have a feeling somebody in our (West) division is going to make a run," said Conant coach Bill Modelski, whose team just missed making it at 4-5. "Don't ask me who that is, but they all have some assets to them.

"I wouldn't call any offense weatherproof but I think these teams will do just fine. I think we're going to surprise some people. I really do."

Modelski speaks from the experience of one of those other balanced MSL seasons in 1989. He was the defensive coordinator when Conant entered the playoffs at 6-3 and didn't leave until a semifinal loss at East St. Louis.

Seven teams have hopes of starting another long and prosperous trip this weekend.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com