Scouting: Conant @ Hoffman Estates

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Conant (1-3) at Hoffman Estates (0-4)

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

Last week Conant lost to Elk Grove 22-19; Hoffman lost to Buffalo Grove 41-14

Outlook Conant is still trying to get over one that got away last week despite a 280-yard effort by RB Kyle Klosowicz (812 yards, 9 TDs). "We're pretty sick about that one and that one hurt pretty deep," said Conant coach Bill Modelski. The Cougars will also be without big junior OL Kenny Kalish (shoulder) this week while Hoffman hopes to get a boost from the return of junior QB David Gutierrez (foot) and Nico Crambes to handle kicking duties. "It's a little scary because we don't know what this kid has," Modelski said of Gutierrez' first varsity start at QB. "We know what their offense is but we don't know how this kid changes them." Hoffman hopes having Gutierrez to run the triple option and the emergence of junior RB Michael Reeves will open up the perimeter for Foyin Alade and Shammar McFarland. "We're hoping everything runs smoother and that's what we were anticipating after the summer," said Hoffman coach Bill Helzer. "(Gutierrez) is explosive. He's another dimension and he reads it well and runs it well." Hoffman also didn't commit a turnover last week as it hopes to end an eight-game cross-town losing streak in a series Conant leads 24-11.