Scouting Week 8 Cook County football games

Leyden (4-3, 2-2) at Addison Trail (6-1, 3-1)

When: Friday, 6 p.m.

Last week: Leyden lost to Downers Grove South 33-7; Addison Trail beat Morton 35-12

Last year: Addison Trail 20, Leyden 7

Outlook: Leyden couldn’t overcome a tough Downers Grove South team last week. The Eagles had difficulty running the football except for their only score which came on a 13-yard run by Maddox Jasinski with just over 4 minutes to play. Despite that, the Eagles are still in a position to qualify for the playoffs. They will need a win this week over Addison Trail or next week against Willowbrook.

Maine East (3-4, 1-2) at Highland Park (1-6, 1-2)

When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Last week: Maine East beat Niles North 30-7, Highland Park beat Niles West 21-14

Last year: Highland Park 47, Maine East 0

Outlook: Maine East won its first CSL North game in 12 years least week. Now the Blue Demons are looking for even more. With a win over Highland Park, Maine East would win four games in a season for the first time since 1996. The Blue Demons are coming off of their best scoring game since week 2 of 2012. Quarterback Tryfon Giolas, running back Sam Oppong and wide receivers Salam Aro and Jaiden Whitehead have led that offensive resurgence.

Wheeling (2-6, 0-3) at Buffalo Grove (1-7, 0-3)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Wheeling lost Rolling Meadows 42-0; Buffalo Grove lost to Elk Grove 17-14

Last year: Buffalo Grove 49, Wheeling 0

Outlook: Both teams are struggling and have lost three in a row. Wheeling had won two straight before this skid. The Wildcats are looking to get their offense back on track after scoring just 6 points in those three losses. Buffalo Grove came up just a bit short last week in breaking its losing streak. The Bison rushed for 168 yards last week behind Jacob Hensley, Matthew Kaput, Dylan Spedale and Alex Brans. Dylan Spedale has also thrown for 92 yards with Brayden Wong his primary receiver.

Rolling Meadows (5-2, 2-1) at Hersey (4-3, 2-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Rolling Meadows beat Wheeling 42-0; Hersey lost to Prospect

Last year: Hersey 42, Rolling Meadows 7

Outlook: Rolling Meadows is now playoff eligible with its victory last week. The Mustangs will be looking to clinch a spot with one more win. Meadows is getting great balance in its running game from Luke Harvey, Vinnie Piccolo and Keeling Murray. Hersey is looking for the fifth win to get themselves back in the playoff picture. The Huskies continue to get great quarterback play from UCLA-commit Colton Gumino, who has been dangerous as a dual threat option. Brandon Jacobs has been piling up the yards from the running back position as well. Both have operated behind an offensive line of Sal Marabotti, Jackson Organ, DJ Maloney, Jack Nolan and Ehren Dammann as the Huskies are averaging 35 points per game.

St. Viator (3-4) at IC Catholic Prep (3-4)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: St. Viator lost to Montini 31-14; IC beat Marmion 40-6

Last year: Did not play

Outlook: Both teams need to win their last two games to keep their playoff hopes alive. St. Viator is hoping to get back some of its walking wounded this seek for this final playoff push. The Lions are also looking to build off a solid second half against Montini last week that put them back into the game. They will need that kind of effort against IC, which broke a four-game losing streak last week with a huge win over Marmion.

Maine West (6-1, 3-0) at Niles West (4-3, 2-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Maine West beat Vernon Hills 41-14; Niles West lost to Highland Park 21-14

Last year: Maine West 14, Niles West 3

Outlook: With a win, Maine West would wrap up its second consecutive CSL North title. The Warriors are averaging nearly 30 points per game while their defense, led by Tim Wiley, Lucas Burkett and Alex Gorbenko, has allowed just 16 points per game. Maksym Makota, who committed to Drake earlier this week, has rushed for over 20 touchdowns this season. Northern Illinois commit Dante Hicks is showing off his speed and versatility both running and catching the ball. Niles West is in the middle of some internal turmoil with head coach Nick Torresso currently suspended and Kyriako Anastasiadis taking over the program.

Hoffman Estates (5-2, 2-1) at Barrington (6-1, 2-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Hoffman Estates beat Conant 35-7; Barrington beat Schaumburg 42-6

Last year: Barrington 35, Hoffman Estates 31

Outlook: Hoffman broke a two-game losing streak last week and got the Hawks soaring back in the right direction. Hoffman went airborne with Liam Patrick, Tori Baskin and Jmari Jackson all have big nights last week. Quan Ford also had a huge night running the ball while Nate Cleveland directed the offense well. Nick Peipert had a successful return at quarterback for Barrington after sitting out the second half in week 6 with an injury. Peipert completed his first 9 passes and now is 98-of-133 for 1,709 yards and 18 touchdowns. Calvin Jackson has 1,094 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns for a Barrington offense that is averaging 47 points per game.

Fremd (6-1, 2-1) at Schaumburg (5-2, 2-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Fremd lost to Palatine 28-21; Schaumburg lost to Barrington 42-6

Last year: Fremd 42, Schaumburg 6

Outlook: Fremd stumbled last week with crosstown rival Palatine. But despite the loss, the Vikings have been impressive all season. Fremd’s offense has been explosive with quarterback Johnny O’Brien throwing for 2,137 yards and 24 touchdowns. Most of that has gone to Brennan Saxe who has 63 receptions for 988 yards and 12 touchdowns as well as two interceptions. Schaumburg is playoff eligible, and the Saxons are looking to finalize a spot in the field. They will be looking to get their offense into the end zone after racking up 311 yards of offense last week but scoring just six points. Ray Black continues to be a key factor in the Schaumburg offense.

Deerfield (4-3, 2-1) at Maine South (4-3, 3-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Deerfield beat Evanston 21-19; Maine South beat Glenbrook South 31-28

Last year: Maine South 49, Deerfield 17

Outlook: With their win over Glenbrook South last week, Maine South is over .500 for the first time this season. The Hawks have now won three in a row and have a grip on another CSL South title. The Hawks’ offense continues to sparkle with quarterback Jameson Purcell and running back Michael Dellumo. Constantine Coines, who moved to wide receiver, has also become a big threat on the offensive side. Deerfield is the only other team in the CSL South that is over .500.

Prospect (5-2, 3-0) at Elk Grove (3-4, 2-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Prospect beat Hersey 30-27; Elk Grove beat Buffalo Grove 17-14

Last year: Prospect 55, Elk Grove 22

Outlook: Prospect picked up a huge win last week and the Knights are in control to win the MSL East. A win this week will all but clinch the title for them. Prospect has won its last five games. Quarterback Jack Skoog has directed an offense that is averaging nearly 34 points per game. Meanwhile the defense has allowed just 13 points per game and has two shutouts. Elk Grove picked up a huge win last week in the closing seconds thanks to a field goal by Dimitar Pendev.

Palatine (6-1, 3-0) at Conant (0-7, 0-3)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Palatine beat Fremd 28-21; Conant lost to Hoffman Estates 35-7

Last year: Palatine 38, Conant 14

Outlook: The is the hot and cold game. Right now, there is no team that is hotter than Palatine. The Pirates have won six straight, including their thrilling win last week over crosstown rival Fremd. Kole Fager has emerged as a dual threat for the Pirates in his running and receiving. Palatine has also relied heavily on Ryan Donnelly. Palatine can clinch at least a share of the MSL West title with a win. Conant is trying to find a way to warm up. The Cougars are winless thus far but have been getting good play from quarterback Tyler Marchese and wide receiver Bradley Biedke.