Scouting Week 7 Cook County football games

Vernon Hills (1-5, 1-1) at Maine West (5-1, 2-0)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Vernon Hills lost to Niles West 45-7; Maine West beat Maine East 42-8

Last year: Maine West 48, Vernon Hills 7

Outlook: Maine West continues its drive to a second consecutive CSL North title. The Warriors are averaging 28 points behind the trio of running back Maks Makota, quarterback Tely Litas and wide receiver Dante Hicks. Maine West has also played solid defense, allowing just 16 points per game. After earning their first win two weeks ago, Vernon Hills took a step back last week in their loss to Niles West.

Hersey (4-2, 2-0) at Prospect (4-2, 2-0)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Hersey beat Buffalo Grove 48-7; Prospect beat Rolling Meadows 41-14

Last year: Hersey 28, Prospect 3

Outlook: This could be for the MSL East title. Both teams have won four in a row after opening the season with a pair of losses. Even during those losses, the Hersey offense still was operating at a high level. Colton Gumino continues to be the main focus of the Huskie offense with 11 touchdown passes and 8 touchdown runs. Brandon Jenkins has run for 8 touchdowns and added a pick six last week to a previous return for a touchdown. Prospect’s offense has flourished in the last four weeks with the Knights averaging 44 points per game. Jack Skoog has done a great job of running the offense and distributing the ball to wide receivers Nathan Cichy and Nick Carluccci. Noah Easter continues to run the ball well for the Knights.

Maine South (3-3, 2-0) at Glenbrook South (3-3, 2-0)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Maine South beat Glenbrook North 65-10; Glenbrook South beat Deerfield 27-7

Last year: Maine South 45, Glenbrook South 36

Outlook: With a win, Maine South will put themselves in a commanding position for yet another CSL South title. The Hawks have their offense flying at a high level after putting up 65 points last week. Jameson Purcell is coming off a five-touchdown passing performance. He also had a 50-yard touchdown run. Mason Patras caught a touchdown pass while Joey Naughton caught another. Glenbrook South has won two in a row. But the Titans are allowing 26 points per game.

Niles North (1-5, 1-1) at Maine East (2-4, 0-2)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Niles North beat Highland Park 15-13; Maine East lost to Maine West 42-8

Last year: Niles North 35, Maine East 20

Outlook: After winning their first two games, Maine East has now dropped four in a row. The Blue Demons struggled last week against district-rival Maine West. But Maine East figures they can turn things around against a Niles North team that picked up its first win of the season last week. Jaidan Whitehead and Tryfon Giolas look to get the Maine East offense back on track while Andrew Garcia and Okiki Olurotimi continue to be solid defensively.

Conant (0-6, 0-2) at Hoffman Estates (4-2, 0-2)

When: Thursday, 7:30 PM

Last week: Conant lost to Schaumburg 42-7; Hoffman Estates lost to Palatine 56-22

Last year: Hoffman Estates 28, Conant 0

Outlook: The is the annual “Mayor’s Cup” game. It will feature a pair of teams desperate for a win. Conant looks to get into the win column. They are hoping to get their offense, which has scored 73 points this season, going against a Hoffman defense that has given up 93 points in the Hawks’ last two games. The Hawks opened the season with four impressive wins but have fallen on hard times. Hoffman is looking to break a two-game losing streak. They will be looking to shore up their defense and capitalize offensively on the momentum they got in the final quarter against Palatine.

Buffalo Grove (1-5, 0-2) at Elk Grove (2-4, 1-1)

When: Thursday, 7:30 PM

Last week: Buffalo Grove lost to Hersey 48-7; Elk Grove beat Wheeling 43-6

Last year: Buffalo Grove 43, Elk Grove 8

Outlook: This is the battle of the Groves with the teams splitting their last two meetings. Buffalo Grove has lost two in a row and the Bison are hoping for a victory to get a late season run going. The Bison will be looking to get their running game going after rushing for just 36 yards last week. Dylan Spedale did throw for 184 yards. Elk Grove has now won two of its last three with the Grenadier offense exploding in both of those victories, scoring 71 of their 106 points this season. The Grens are hoping for a repeat and will be looking to get solid running performances last week from Daryl Hunt, Jordan Brumford and Dylan Berkowitz again. The trio combined for 197 rushing yards

Wheeling (2-4, 0-2) at Rolling Meadows (4-2, 1-1)

When: Thursday, 7:30 PM

Last week: Wheeling lost to Elk Grove 43-6; Rolling Meadows lost to Prospect 41-14

Last year: Rolling Meadows 44, Wheeling 14

Outlook: After winning two in a row, Wheeling has lost its last two games, both of which were MSL East contests. The Wildcats have struggled offensively in those games, scoring just six points. Rolling Meadows had their four-game winning streak snapped last week. The Mustangs’ offense moved the ball quite well last week thanks to the passing of Quincy Johnson, who threw for 287 yards, many of which went to tight end Sean Kerr. Luke Harvey had nearly 100 yards rushing, while his brother Jake caught a pair of touchdown passes. Meadows needs one more win to become playoff eligible.

Fremd (6-0, 2-0) at Palatine (5-1, 2-0)

When: Thursday, 7:30 PM

Last week: Fremd beat Barrington 56-35; Palatine beat Hoffman Estates 56-22

Last year: Palatine 24, Fremd 10

Outlook: The annual “Battle of the Tracks” should be the best it’s been in the past few years. That’s mainly because Fremd has regained its former glory after struggling the past few years. Fremd has eschewed its usual ground and pound offense and gone wide open with quarterback Johnny O’Brien. The junior threw for a school-record 395 yards with most of it going to Brennan Saxe, who had 261 of that. Meanwhile, on the other side of the tracks, Palatine has quietly won its last five games. The Pirates have been doing it behind the two-way play of Ryan Donnelly. The defense has allowed just 53 points in those wins, with 16 of that coming late in the game against Hoffman.

Schaumburg (5-1, 1-1) at Barrington (5-1, 1-1)

When: Thursday, 7:30 PM

Last week: Schaumburg beat Conant 42-7; Barrington lost to Fremd 56-35

Last year: Barrington 55, Schaumburg 14

Outlook: Schaumburg became playoff eligible last week for the first time since 2017. With that accomplished, the Saxons now have their eye on the big prize, which would be a MSL West title. That is something that Schaumburg has not accomplished since 2013. Ray Black continues to impress, leading an offense that has averaged 27 points in its last five games. Barrington will look to rebound after last week’s loss to Fremd. At press time, there is no information on quarterback Nick Peipert, who left the game last week with an undisclosed injury. Luke Tepas stepped in and played well last week. Meanwhile, running back Calvin Jackson could shoulder most of the offensive load. Running behind that huge Barrington offensive line, Jackson has rushed for 874 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Downers Grove South (4-2, 3-0) at Leyden (4-2, 2-1)

When: Friday, 6 p.m.

Last week: Downers Grove South beat Hinsdale South 31-28; Leyden 25, Morton 14

Last year: Downers Grove South 33, Leyden 14

Outlook: Leyden is coming off a huge win over Morton last week. The Eagles found their offense after being blanked the previous week by Glenvard West. Maddox Jasinski threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns while Cameron Jones rushed for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Leyden will need to keep that offense going against a Downers Grove South team that has allowed 24 points per game.

Montini (4-2) vs. St. Viator (3-3) at Forest View

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Montini beat Carmel 34-10; St. Viator lost to DePaul 39-23

Last year: St. Viator 21, Montini 14

Outlook: If you need a high school football game Friday night, this is the only game in the Northwest suburbs. And it should be a very good one. But in order to be that way, Viator is going to have to right the ship. The Lions have lost three in a row after opening the season with three straight wins. They will need to win two of their final three games to become playoff eligible. They face a tough Montini team that has won its last two, including an impressive win last week over Carmel.