Scouting Week 6 Cook County football games
Maine East (1-4, 0-1) at Maine West (5-0, 1-0)
When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Last week: Maine East lost to Vernon Hills 24-6; Maine West beat Highland Park 20-19
Last year: Maine West 42, Maine East 0
Outlook: Maine West continues to amaze with its game-ending heroics. Last week was the third time this season the Warriors have been able to come out on top in the closing moments. It also helped head coach George Klupchak be named Chicago Bears high school coach of the week. Those key plays have now put Maine West in a position to earn its second consecutive trip to the state playoffs with a win this week. This past week it was the defense and special teams that came up with the big plays. Maks Makota's huge stop at the 1-yard line on a 2-point conversion and David Diaz's recovery of an onside kick were the main differences. Maine East played much better last week in its loss to Vernon Hills. The Demons put up 208 yards of total offense including 178 passing.
Maine South (4-1, 1-0) at Glenbrook North (1-4, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Maine South beat New Trier 50-3; Glenbrook North lost to Deerfield 28-14
Last year: Glenbrook North beat Maine South by forfeit
Outlook: Maine South is playing like, well, Maine South. The Hawks, who now have won four in a row, were dominant in their dismantling of a pretty good New Trier team last week. Constantine Coines has stepped into the quarterback role quite nicely. He is coming off his best performance of the season throwing for five touchdowns and 269 yards. He now has 807 yards passing and 8 touchdown passes. Evan Agosto is becoming a favorite target with three touchdown receptions last week. The Hawks' defense has also been outstanding. They have allowed just 48 points on the season and have held four of their opponents to 10 points or less. Glenbrook North, which has lost four straight, is coming off a game where they piled up 326 yards of offense. But five turnovers, including four interceptions, were their downfall.
Prospect (4-1, 1-0) at Hersey (5-0, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Prospect beat Rolling Meadows 51-7; Hersey beat Buffalo Grove 35-0
Last year: Hersey 41, Prospect 34
Outlook: This is the game of the year in the MSL East. These two teams have won the East Division title the last three years. Both teams have been firing on all cylinders offensively. Prospect is averaging nearly 32 points per game and scored 106 points in their last two games. Both quarterback Jake Skoog and running back Noah Easter have stepped into their roles quite well this season. Hersey rolls into the game averaging nearly 45 points per game. Colton Gumino has 14 touchdown passes, with half of those to Carson Grove and five to Logan Farrell. Despite the eye-popping offensive numbers, defense, like always, could be the key. Prospect is coming off a four-interception game against Rolling Meadows. Meanwhile, Hersey has three consecutive shutouts and the Huskies have played exceptionally well in the red zone.
Rolling Meadows (1-4, 0-1) at Wheeling (1-4, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Wheeling lost to Elk Grove 35-6; Rolling Meadows lost to Prospect 51-7
Last year: Rolling Meadows 34, Wheeling 6
Outlook: Both teams are coming off tough losses. Rolling Meadows had been on the rise up until that point. The Mustangs had won their previous game and were in their first three losses. Joe Brigham, who is a sophomore, experienced some growing pains last week with three interceptions. But he has also thrown 11 touchdown passes this season. Wheeling has struggled offensively since their opening season win against North Chicago. The Wildcats showed some improvement last week as Justin Ghibea threw for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Barrington (5-0, 1-0) at Schaumburg (2-3, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Barrington beat Fremd 13-7; Schaumburg lost to Conant 16-12
Last year: Barrington 27, Schaumburg 14
Outlook: Barrington has won nine in row against Schaumburg. The Broncos showed last week that they can run the ball and control the clock with Dillon Fitzpatrick carrying 36 times for 202 yards. Fitzpatrick now has 644 yards for the season. But if Schaumburg sleeps on Nick Peipert, he can still move the ball quite well through the air with 792 yards and 11 touchdowns throwing to Will Nazha. Schaumburg has suffered a pair of last-minute losses the past two weeks to Maine West and Conant. They will hopefully have Anthony DiGioia returning in the backfield, where he has been dangerous running the ball.
Hoffman Estates (3-2, 0-1) at Conant (3-2, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Hoffman Estates lost to Palatine 49-34; Conant beat Schaumburg 16-12
Last year: Hoffman Estates 45, Conant 44
Outlook: This is for the "Hoffman Mayor's Cup." That has been housed at Hoffman Estates for the past three years. Despite a 3-2 record, Hoffman Estates is still a team to watch. The Hawks have been able to score almost at will, averaging 39 points per game. The Nate Cleveland to Stephon Sellers connection is alive and well. The duo hooked up three times last week and have connected on 10 touchdown passes while Sellers is averaging nearly 137 yards per game. Conant has won three in a row, including a last-minute touchdown to beat Schaumburg last week. The running of Cooper Hanson has been one the major reasons for the success. Hanson has 11 touchdowns in his team's last three games.
Palatine (3-2, 1-0) at Fremd (1-4, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Palatine beat Hoffman Estates 49-34; Fremd lost Barrington 13-7
Last year: Palatine 31, Fremd 7
Outlook: This is the annual "Battle of the Tracks." The teams first met in 1967 and Fremd has a 32-23 advantage. Dominik Ball should be ready to go after sitting out the second half last week after cramping up. The Tulane commit has been electric. Ball has rushed for 933 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ball will put tons of pressure on a Fremd defense that gave up 202 yards on 36 carries to Barrington's Dillon Fitzpatrick. Still, Fremd has played extremely tough the past two weeks despite losses to Maine South and Barrington. If Fremd's Johnny O'Brien can get some time from Palatine's pass rush led by Jaylen Williams, Filip Rolek, Daevion Farrow and Jaylin Maiden, he may be able to attack with wide receivers Brennan Saxe and Davyn Kuhl.
Elk Grove (2-3, 1-0) at Buffalo Grove (3-2, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Elk Grove beat Wheeling 35-6; Buffalo Grove lost to Hersey 35-0
Last year: Elk Grove 28, Buffalo Grove 14
Outlook: It is the annual battle of the groves with both teams looking for a surge in the second half of the season to make the playoffs. Danny Pasterski was back at quarterback in a big way for Elk Grove. The Grenadier junior, who had been sidelined, completed 13-of-19 passes for 144 and three touchdowns. The Elk Grove defense, led by linebackers Logan Tosterud and Joe Coveliers, allowed 100 yards or less for the second time this season. Both of those games were victories for the Grens. Buffalo Grove had their modest two-game winning streak snapped last week in a game that was close until the second half. The Bison had difficulty closing out scoring drives in that game and will emphasize more success there this week. Payton Diaz did throw for 121 yards, but only had 26 yards in the second half.
St. Viator (3-2, 1-0) at Carmel (4-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Brother Rice beat St. Viator 56-7; Mt. Carmel beat Carmel 37-16
Last year: Carmel 28, St. Viator 14
Outlook: Both teams were in their games against CCL/ESCC Blue opponents until the second half when the wheels came off in both games. The winner of this game will have the inside track on the CCL/ESCC Purple title. Viator trailed 14-7 last week to Rice before a long touchdown run, interception and punt return put them away. Even with scoring seven points last week, Viator is still averaging nearly 30 points per game. Carmel led state-power Mt. Carmel until the second half. Despite the loss, the Corsairs are playing solid football and have allowed just 15 points per game.
Leyden (1-4, 1-1) at Morton (1-4, 1-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Leyden lost to Glenbard West 55-13; Morton lost to Downers Grove South 34-0.
Last year: Morton 30, Leyden 29
Outlook: After scoring just six points in their first three games, the Eagles' offense has been showing some life. They have scored 47 points in their last two games. Morton's defense has allowed nearly 40 points per game. Both Leyden's and Morton's only victory came against Proviso East.