Scouting Week 4 Cook County football games
Hoffman Estates (3-0) at Vernon Hills (0-3)
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Last week: Hoffman Estates beat Maine East 57-0; Vernon Hills lost to Wheeling 27-7
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Hoffman has their own version of the Hydra, and they have caused havoc for their opponents. Nate Cleveland and Austin Lesniak have continued to turn heads thanks to their combo play at quarterback. The duo has led the Hawks to an average of nearly 45 points per game. Vernon Hills struggled in its first three games, allowing 31 points per game.
Fremd (3-0) at Deerfield (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Fremd beat Highland Park 65-7; Deerfield beat Buffalo Grove 28-7
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Fremd continues to impress on both sides of the ball. The Vikings pillaged opponents this season, outscoring them 141-16 thus far. Most of that is due to combo of quarterback Johnny O’Brien to Brennan Saxe, who have combined for 5 touchdowns this season, including three last week. Deerfield has won its last two games and just given up a total of 7 points in those wins.
Conant (0-3) at Glenbrook North (1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Conant lost to Maine West 27-19; Glenbrook North lost to Rolling Meadows 42-34
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Conant jumped out to a great start last week, leading 13-0, but failed to hang on. Despite the loss, there was much improvement, thanks to the play of Tyler Marchese, who threw a pair of touchdown passes. Glenbrook has averaged 31 points in the last two weeks. Unfortunately for the Spartans, they lost both of those games.
Elk Grove (0-3) at Niles North (0-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Elk Grove lost to Niles West 20-0; Niles North lost to Schaumburg 49-21
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Elk Grove took a small step backward after being in both of their first two games, with just 140 yards of total offense and three turnovers. Despite their winless record, the Grenadiers feel they are still on the verge of success. They hope to get things going against a Niles North team that has scored just 33 points this season.
Hersey (1-2) at Glenbrook South (1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Hersey beat Maine South 28-23; Glenbrook South lost to Barrington 51-21
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Hersey showed that they weren’t ready to write off the season. The Huskies overpowered Maine South to get back on the winning side. Colton Gumino has upped his season totals to 633 yards passing and 6 touchdowns. Gumino could be ready for a big night against a Glenbrook South team that allowed 357 passing yards last week and 524 yards of total offense.
Wheeling (1-2) at Maine East (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Wheeling beat Vernon Hills 27-7; Maine East lost to Hoffman Estates 57-0
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Wheeling was impressive in picking up their first win of the season. The Wildcats did it with some old-fashioned football, rushing for 276 yards behind Nichoas Montesinos, Grant Scheuerman and Justin Ghibea. Maine East had their two-game winning streak snapped in a big way. The Blue Demons will be looking to get back on track this week on both sides of the ball.
Leyden (2-1, 0-1) at Proviso East (0-3, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Leyden lost to Hinsdale South 38-0; Proviso East lost to Morton 40-6
Last year: Leyden 34, Proviso East 26
Outlook: Leyden took a step back last week after the Eagles won their first two contests. The Eagles will look to get their offense back on track against a Proviso East team that has been outscored 109-18.
Barrington (3-0) at Maine South (1-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Barrington beat Glenbrook South 51-21, Maine South lost to Hersey 28-23
Last year: Class 8A quarterfinals: Barrington 42, Maine South 40
Outlook: Both teams had this rematch circled after last year’s exciting quarterfinal. Barrington has been a machine offensively with Nick Peipert throwing for 740 yards and 9 touchdowns. Calvin Jackson has been impressive running the ball with 424 yards and 11 touchdowns. Maine South has had a roller coaster of a season thus far. The Hawks will look to get back on the high end this week playing at home.
Rolling Meadows (2-1) at Maine West (3-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Rolling Meadows beat Glenbrook North 42-34; Maine West beat Conant 27-19
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Meadows is the only MSL East team with a winning record at this time. Quincy Johnson has stepped in quite nicely at quarterback for the Mustangs with 290 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. Luke Harvey, who is a sophomore, is coming off of a 203-yard, 4-touchdown rushing performance last week. Maks Makota has been a dominant factor on the ground for Miane West. Makota is also coming off of a 4-touchdown performance and ran for 198 yards.
Schaumburg (3-0) at Niles West (2-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Schaumburg beat Niles North 49-21; Niles West beat Elk Grove 20-0
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: The Saxons continue to churn out victories. Ray Black has become a key cog in the offense, throwing for 270 yards and four touchdowns while running for another. Javonte McCoy was solid in all phases of the game while the Saxons got a big rushing performance from Jeff Alther. Niles West has won its last two games with the Wolves pitching a shutout last week.
St. Viator (3-0) at Benet Academy (3-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: St. Viator beat Marmion 34-7; Benet beat De La Salle 42-0.
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: St. Viator is off to their best start since the COVID season of 2020. The Lions have rolled up 137 points thanks to the play of Cooper Kmet, who has thrown for 422 yards and 9 touchdowns while running for 124 yards and a touchdown. Dayvion Ellis had 4 touchdown receptions while running for another. Keaton Franzen has 122 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Benet is averaging 42 points per game while the Viator defense has allowed just 13 points all season.
Buffalo Grove (0-3) at Highland Park (0-3)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Buffalo Grove lost to Deerfield 28-7; Highland Park lost to Fremd 65-7
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: One of these teams will pick up their first win of the season. Both of these teams lost to Deerfield by 21 points, so on paper, it could be quite even. Buffalo Grove has played well at times and has played the much more difficult overall schedule. Highland Park will be looking to recover after their huge loss last week.
Palatine (2-1) at New Trier (1-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Palatine beat Evanston 25-19; New Trier lost to Prospect 43-0
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Palatine played its third tight game in a row. And the Pirates, who lost their season opener, have found ways to win their last two. Will Santiago has stepped into dual roles for Palatine with his arm and leg. Santiago threw for 175 yards and a touchdown pass to Jordan Bostik. Santiago also averaged 44.5 yards punting. New Trier’s defense has allowed 42 points or more points twice this season.
Prospect (1-2) at Evanston (1-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Prospect beat New Trier 43-0; Evanston lost to Palatine 25-19
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Prospect’s offense came alive last week. The Knights, who had scored just 30 points combined in their first two games, eclipsed that total with 43 points last week. Jack Skoog upped his season total to 463 yards passing and 4 touchdowns while Noah Easter increased his rushing total to 301 yards and three touchdowns. Evanston was even with Palatine until late in the game last week.