Scouting Week 1 Cook County football games
Wheeling at Oak Lawn
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Wheeling gets to kick off the high school football season by traveling down to Oak Lawn. It will also be the inaugural game for new Wheeling head coach Ryan Gronwick. The Wildcats are looking to get off to fast start this season with 7 starters back. Quarterback Christian Campos and running back Nick Montesinos did not start last season but will be counted on heavily in the Wildcat offense. Oak Lawn, which has lost 17 in a row, is led by WR Luke Mahoney
Highland Park at Leyden
When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Last year: Leyden 30, Highland Park 27
Outlook: Leyden was eyeing a playoff spot last season. But a three-game losing streak to close out the year ended those dreams. The Eagles will be looking to change those fortunes as they meet for the fourth consecutive season opener with Highland Park, who won the first two meetings. Leyden will be looking to get its offense rolling with returning running back Lucas Lattiker. It will also be a sad day for Leyden and its fans as they will say a final goodbye to long time statistician Jack Gregg, who passed away in June. Gregg, who was 89, had been keeping the Eagles stats for 73 years, including last season.
Stevenson at Prospect
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: It will be a battle of conference champions from last season. Prospect won the MSL East title outright, and the Knights return 12 starters, 6 on each side of the ball. They have a new backfield with quarterback Jackson Cacini and new RB Matthew Donnelly, who are both juniors. Wide receiver and track star Nate Cichy, who is committed to Harvard, is a major threat, catching and running. Stevenson was co-champion of the North Suburban last year. The Patriots are led by returning quarterback Aidan Crawley. The senior threw for 2,222 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading the offense to 30 points per game. RB D’Angelo Washington, TE Zach Becker and WR Frank Concialdi also return and will be key factors.
Warren at Hersey
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Warren 55, Hersey 26
Outlook: This will be a great test for a pair of teams that have serious thoughts about deep postseason runs. It should be a battle of running backs with Hersey relying on Brandon Jenkins. The senior, who has committed to Ohio University, is coming off a season where he had 1,865 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. Warren will counter with Aaron Stewart, who is coming off a season where he led the state in rushing with 2,475 yards in 12 games. Stewart is committed to play football and wrestle at Illinois next year. New Hersey quarterback Jake Nawrot could be the wild card here. Nawrot, who is a junior, has by all reports looked very good this summer.
Hoffman Estates at Buffalo Grove
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Hoffman Estates 35, Buffalo Grove 24
Outlook: These teams get an early start on MSL crossover week as they meet in the season opener for the third consecutive year. Hoffman again will be strong in its skill players led by WR Torey Baskin and a running back trio of Landon Ford, Jaquan Fields and Jmari Jackson. Austin Lezniak, who saw some time at quarterback, takes over the reins full time. That group will be facing the strength of Buffalo Grove which will be its defense. The Bison return six of their front seven. They are led by Matthew Kaput, who will also see duty on offensive side at running back.
Conant at Lake Park
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Lake Park 41, Conant 14
Outlook: With 17 returning starters for Conant, there is optimism. Conant comes in looking to break a couple of streaks. The Cougars have lost 13 games in a row in the regular season. They also have lost two straight to Lake Park. Conant will have 10 players back on defense as well as its entire offensive line. Tyler Marchese returns at quarterback for the Cougars. Lake Park will be sparked by returnees George Tzamouranis at quarterback and wide receiver Niko Menos.
Antioch at Schaumburg
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Schaumburg 12, Antioch 7
Outlook: Schaumburg’s opening win last season at Antioch was huge for the Saxons. It gave them the extra win they needed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Saxons will be looking to build on that momentum with three-year starters QB/DB Ray Black, WR/DB Rafael Medeiro, WR/LB Kile Gough and OL Mathias Zubcek. Vince Heydecker, who ran the ball last season as a sophomore for the Saxons, also returns. Antioch, which has qualified for the playoffs in the last 8 playoff seasons, returns quarterback Colin Arquilla, OL Owen Shea and RB Jack Bucar.
Lake Zurich at Fremd
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Fremd 31, Lake Zurich 0
Outlook: This will be the 16th consecutive regular season the teams will open the season against each other with Lake Zurich leading 10-5. Fremd is coming off its first win since 2019. Johnny O’Brien, who threw 15 consecutive passes to open the game for Fremd last year, is back to lead the Vikings. The Northwestern commit should get strong help from fellow Wildcat commit OL Owen Jakubczak along with WR Marquis Brewster, who caught a pair of TD passes last year against Lake Zurich and junior RB Jayden Faulklner. Lake Zurich, which missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2015, will look to turn things around behind returning quarterback Reid Pfeifer. Chris Chang, who is at wide receiver, along with running back Danny Hope will also spark the Bears offense.
Lincoln-Way East at Maine South
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Lincoln-Way East 49, Maine South 22
Outlook: Both teams figure to contend for a state title in 8A, so it is important to get off to a great start. It should be an epic quarterback battle. Maine South junior Jameson Purcell threw for 2,600 yards and 30 touchdowns last season and is committed to Indiana. LWE’s Jonas Williams threw for 2,926 yards and 41 touchdowns last year and is committed to USC. Maine South’s defense, which returns 7 players including linebackers Gavin Smith, Jake Cantal, Nick Hachigan and Matthew Schlenhardt, will be tested by the Griffins’ Brody Gish, who is committed to the Naval Academy.
South Elgin at Barrington
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Barrington 64, South Elgin 21; Barrington 66, South Elgon 13
Outlook: Barrington began and ended South Elgin’s season last year as the teams meet again in this year’s opener. Barrington may lack major experience at quarterback and running back this season, but don’t confuse that with lack of talent. QB Luke Tepas, who saw some time last year, has already been impressive with his offseason and garnered interest from college coaches. Meanwhile running back Lamar Osterhues was inserted into the Broncos lineup in the playoffs and was dangerous every time he touched the ball. They will operate behind another solid Barrington offensive line led by Northwestern-commit Owen Fors. South Elgin will be looking at TE Gavin Mueller, who transferred from St. Francis, along with RB Darrion Thurman to key its offense.
Palatine at Rolling Meadows
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Did Not Play
Outlook: Both teams will be looking for better starts to their season. Palatine has lost their last two season openers. But the Pirates feel they can get things rolling especially behind an offensive line that averages 270 pounds and is led by a pair of D-I commits in Tony Balanganayi (Illinois) and Evan Downer (Ball State). Quarterback Will Santiago (St. Thomas) and WR/RB/DB Kole Fager (Princeton) are another pair of D-I commits for Palatine. Rolling Meadows is looking to former Mustang player and new head coach Devonte Amos to help break a four-game opening season losing skid. Sean Kerr, who is a TE/LB and a D-I commit (Naval Academy), will be a key factor along with returning receivers Shea Wells, Jack Andersen and Arman Lepuzanovic. Joe Brigham, who threw for over 1,200 yards last season as a sophomore, will lead the Mustangs at quarterback.
Maine West at Elk Grove
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Maine West 14, Elk Grove 7
Outlook: Maine West is looking for a school-record fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Meanwhile, Elk Grove is trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. And with difficult schedules on the horizon for both teams, a win here is much needed. Maine West returns just four starters and will be led by new starting quarterback Caden Nelson and running back Louis Avalos, who saw limited action last season. Elk Grove lost its first 3 games of the season before finishing 4-5 and just missing out on the playoffs. The Grens will have new starters at quarterback in Nate Dean and running back in Jacob Bruford, who will be their only two-way starter.
East Aurora at Maine East
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Maine East 34, East Aurora 6
Outlook: Maine East opened its season with a win over East Aurora last season. That was the impetus to a three-win season — the best for the Blue Demons since 2012. Maine East is looking for the same momentum as new head coach Shane McNally takes over. The Demons have a very large offensive line headed up by Esad Zec (6-foot-3, 315 pounds) Logan Guiterrez (6-3, 305) and Carlos Cabrales (6-0, 265). They will be the key to how well Maine East can run the football. East Aurora is coming off of an 0-9 season where the Tomcats surrendered 398 points.
Marian Catholic vs. St. Viator at Forest View
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Robbie Gould tales over at St. Viator after his brief stint at Rolling Meadows. The Lions are coming off of a 4-5 mark and just missed making the playoffs last season after qualifying the two previous seasons. St. Viator will be looking to bounce back as most likely senior Joey Lampignano takes over at quarterback. Linebacker Brandon Valenzuela will lead the defense. Marian Catholic is coming off a 2-7 season and play a division below the Lions in the CCL/ESCC. The Spartans last qualified for the playoffs in 2019.