Scouting Week 9 Cook County football games
Willowbrook (5-3, 4-1) at Leyden (4-4, 2-3)
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Last week: Leyden lost to Addison Trail 42-17; Willowbrook beat Morton 43-6
Last year: Willowbrook 49, Leyden 12
Outlook: With their four wins, Leyden has had its best season in 7 seasons. And the Eagles want more. They need a win in their final regular season game to earn their first trip to the state playoffs since 2016. Leyden will need to shore up their defense which surrendered 294 yards last week in their loss to Addison Trail. The Eagles now face a Willowbrook team that is averaging 34 points per game.
Niles North (2-6, 2-2) at Maine West (7-1, 4-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Niles North beat Vernon Hills 24-14; Maine West beat Niles West 21-14
Last year: Maine West 28, Niles North 0
Outlook: Maine West has won the CSL North outright for the second consecutive season. Now the Warriors will be looking to make it a second year of being undefeated in conference play. A win will also put Maine West in a solid position to host a first round playoff game. The Warriors offense starts with Maksym Makota, who is coming off a three-touchdown, 260-yard performance. Makota is also a stalwart on defense along with Alec Hornish, Dante Hicks and Lucas Masek. The Warriors are allowing just 16 points per game. Niles North, which is scoring just 14 points per game, have won two of their last three.
St. Patrick (2-6, 0-2) vs. St. Viator (3-5, 0-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m. at Forest View
Last week: St. Patrick lost to St. Rita 48-7: St. Viator lost to IC 48-28
Last year: St. Viator 28, St. Patrick 21
Outlook: Even with a win this week, St. Viator will not have enough playoff points to make it as a 4-5 team. Thus, the Lions will have their two-year playoff streak broken. A brutal Catholic League schedule and injuries throughout the season have taken their toll on the Lions. Cooper Kmet, who has been a three-year starter at quarterback, Dayvion Ellis, who has been a four-year starter, with lineman Ben Konopka, who has been a three-year starter on the offensive line, will be playing their last game for Viator.
Elk Grove (3-5, 1-3) at Rolling Meadows (5-3, 2-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Elk Grove lost to Prospect 56-12; Rolling Meadows lost to Hersey 49-7
Last year: Elk Grove 27, Rolling Meadows 21
Outlook: Elk Grove had its two-game winning streak broken last week. That appears to have ended any hopes the Grenadiers had of making the playoffs. With five wins, Rolling Meadows looks to be playoff bound. The Mustangs can cinch that with a win. Quincy Johnson has done a solid job at quarterback completing 60% (75-of-126) for 1,097 yards and 14 touchdowns. Sean Kerr, Arman Lepuzanovic and Shea Wells have been his main targets. Luke Harvey has rushed for 657 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Niles West (4-4, 2-2) at Maine East (2-5, 1-3)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Niles West lost to Maine West 21-14; Maine East lost to Highland Park 17-8
Last year: Niles West 56, Maine East 12
Outlook: Maine East is having their best season since 2012. Unfortunately, the Blue Demons’ dream of qualifying for the state playoffs were dashed last week with their loss to Highland Park. However, Maine East can play spoiler this week with a victory over Niles West. Okiki Olurtimi continues to spark the defense while Jaiden Whitehead has been a force on offense.
Barrington (7-1, 3-1) at Palatine (7-1, 4-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Barrington beat Hoffman Estates 42-13; Palatine beat Conant 40-7
Last year: Barrington 50, Palatine 32
Outlook: The perfect week 9 game with the MSL West title at stake. A Barrington win will give the Broncos a three- way tie with Palatine and Fremd. A Palatine victory gives the Pirates the outright title. The game also features two of the largest offensive lines in the area. Barrington’s offense has been nearly unstoppable with the Broncos averaging 46.5 points per game. Nick Peipert has completed 74% (108-of-146) of his passes for 1,793 yards and 18 touchdowns while Calvin Jackson has piled up 1,229 yards and 24 touchdowns. Palatine counters with quarterback Will Santiago, who has become a dual threat. Kole Fager is also a dual threat with his running and receiving while Ryan Donnelly and Ray Gaspard give the Pirates multiple weapons offensively.
Schaumburg (5-3, 2-2) at Hoffman Estates (5-3, 2-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Barrington beat Hoffman Estates 42-13: Schaumburg lost to Fremd 48-6
Last year: Hoffman Estates 28, Schaumburg 14
Outlook: This is the seed game with the winner moving up in the 7A playoffs. Both teams have lost three of their last four conference games, so a win can hopefully jump start their season. Schaumburg will be looking to get its offense back on track behind quarterback Ray Black and wide receiver Javonte McCoy. The Saxons have scored just two touchdowns in their three conference losses. Hoffman has been able to score points with quarterback Nate Cleveland leading the way. Liam Patrick and Torey Baskin will look to break free from Schaumburg’s athletic secondary.
Maine South (5-3, 4-0) at Evanston (3-5, 2-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Evanston beat Glenbrook North 17-14; Maine South beat Deerfield 38-14
Last year: Maine South 35, Evanston 11
Outlook: Maine South has already wrapped up a share of the CSL South. Now the Hawks look to grab the conference title for themselves. The Hawks are playing their best football and have won four in a row. Jameson Purcell has taken over the quarterback position. He has thrown for 1,459 yards and 16 touchdown while completing 75% (110-of-147) of his passes. Michael Dellumo has rushed for 596 yards and 8 touchdowns while adding 22 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Jacob Vitel (26 receptions, 520 yards), Mason Patras (30 receptions, 483 yards) and Joey Naughtin (34 receptions, 463 yards) are all big targets. Evanston has won two of its last three games.
Hersey (5-3, 3-1) at Wheeling (2-6, 0-4)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Hersey beat Rolling Meadows 49-7; Wheeling lost to Buffalo Grove 41-0
Last year: Hersey 52, Wheeling 7
Outlook: Hersey became playoff eligible last week with a win. The Huskies can secure a spot and increase their seed for the playoffs with another win Friday. Colton Gumino has thrown for 1,299 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 467 yards and 12 touchdowns. Brandon Jenkins has added to the Huskies’ running game with 1,292 yards and 11 touchdowns. Tight end Logan Farrell, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, made news this week when he decommitted from North Carolina and committed to Illinois. Wheeling’s season looked promising when the Wildcats were 2-2 with a two-game winning streak. But they have now lost four in a row.
Buffalo Grove (2-6, 1-3) at Prospect (6-2, 4-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Buffalo Grove beat Wheeling 41-0; Prospect beat Elk Grove 56-12
Last year: Prospect 63, Buffalo Grove 28; Prospect 46, Buffalo Grove 20 (playoffs)
Outlook: Buffalo Grove broke a three-game losing streak last week. Unfortunately, that won’t be enough as the Bison’s streak of three consecutive playoff appearances will come to an end. After opening the season with a pair of losses, Prospect has been on a roll with six consecutive wins. The Knights have average 46.5 points during that streak with quarterback Jack Skoog and running back Noah Easter both putting up big numbers.
Conant (0-8, 0-4) at Fremd (7-1, 3-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Conant lost to Palatine 40-7; Fremd beat Schaumburg 48-6
Last year: Fremd 30, Conant 14
Outlook: Conant is hoping that in their final game, the Cougars can put things together. The Cougars have played hard, but have struggled in the victory column. Fremd is having its best season in years. With a win, the Vikings will clinch a home game for the first round of the playoffs. While the Fremd offense has received lots of publicity, the defense has quietly put together a solid season. Led by Will Klimas, Anthony D’Ambrosio, Alex Foreman, Luke McIlhon, Troy Pepe, Joe Gump and Tom O’Brien, Fremd has allowed just 14 points per game.