Scouting Week 5 Cook County football games
Prospect (3-1, 0-0) at Buffalo Grove (2-2, 0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Prospect 56, Maine West 8; Buffalo Grove 42, Glenbrook North 20
Last year: Prospect 71, Buffalo Grove 27
Outlook: Prospect has rolled up 178 points in four games. They have fully responded after their overtime loss to Palatine by outscoring their next two opponents 116-15. The Knights will march into Buffalo Grove facing a Bison team that also has turned their fortunes around. After losing their first two games, the Bison have settled in on the legs of Matthew Kaput, who has rushed for 406 yards the last two weeks. Buffalo Grove will need to get Kaput going to keep that vaunted Prospect offense off the field.
Wheeling (1-3, 0-0) at Hersey (2-2, 0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Niles North 56, Wheeling 42; Hersey 56, Niles West 0
Last year: Hersey 61, Wheeling 0
Outlook: Wheeling has been getting great play from quarterback Christian Campos, who is coming off a four-touchdown performance last week. But the Wildcats have had difficulty shutting down opponents, allowing nearly 43 points per game. Hersey has played its best football in the last two weeks outscoring their opponents 104-0 during that span. The Hersey defense, led by Ryan Haefke, Drew Frank, Brandon Jenkins and Luke Casey, have made a 180 degree turn from the first two games when they allowed 78 points. Meanwhile, the Huskies offense is headed into overdrive with Jake Nawrot and Jenkins leading an offense that is averaging 40 points per game.
Proviso East (1-3, 1-1) at Leyden (1-3, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: York 56, Leyden 0; Morton 14, Proviso East 0
Last year: Leyden 41, Proviso East 12
Outlook: The Eagles have missed Lucas Lattiker. The running back has been out since early in the game two weeks ago when he sprained his ankle. He is hoping to return this week. Since that time, Leyden has struggled offensively, scoring just 8 points while allowing 96. The Eagles have had two difficult opponents during that stretch. But with the Pirates coming in this week, the hope is that Leyden can turn things around.
Maine West (1-3, 0-0) at Niles North (1-3, 0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Prospect 56, Maine West 8; Niles North 56, Wheeling 42
Last year: Maine West 41, Niles North 7
Outlook: Two-time defending Central Suburban North Conference champion Maine West has had a rugged go the past three games. The Warriors were outscored during that span 139-22. Maine West is looking to regroup as it begins conference play against a Niles North team that is giving up over 45 points per game. Running backs Louis Avalos and Nathan Abede have looked good for Maine West and Davion Tate continues to be a threat at wide receiver.
Maine East (0-4, 0-0) at Niles West (0-4, 0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Rolling Meadows 72, Maine East 0; Hersey 56, Niles West 0
Last year: Niles West 25, Maine East 0
Outlook: Maine East has been held scoreless for 12 consecutive quarters. The Blue Demons also have surrendered 50 points per game. But there is hope for a major change in their fortunes this week as they face a Niles West team that is also winless and has been outscored 116-7 the last two weeks.
Rolling Meadows (3-1, 0-0) at Elk Grove (1-3, 0-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Rolling Meadows 72, Maine East 0; Elk Grove 24, Deerfield 17
Last year: Elk Grove 21, Rolling Meadows 13
Outlook: Meadows comes into the game as the highest scoring team in the MSL East averaging over 48 points per game. The Mustangs have been led by Joe Brigham, who has thrown for 589 yards and 11 touchdowns, Luke Harvey, who has 127 rushing yards along with Jack Andersen (11 receptions, 259 yards) and Sean Kerr (11 receptions, 135 yards). While the offense has received much of the accolades, the defense has quietly been superb the last three weeks allowing just 8 points and posting back-to-back shutouts. Elk Grove picked up its first win last week. The Grenadiers have been using a two-quarterback system with Luke Maher throwing for 486 yards and three touchdowns and Nathan Dean throwing for 208 yards and four touchdowns.
St. Viator (1-3) at St. Ignatius (2-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Benet 21, St. Viator 13; Mt. Carmel 41, St. Ignatius 14
Last year: St. Ignatius 36, St. Viator 13
Outlook: The Lions have been in nearly every game thus far and could be 3-1. But lack of depth has hurt them as St. Viator has been trying to rebuild after losing 19 seniors from last year. Joey Lampignano has thrown for 540 yards and three touchdowns while running for another. After four consecutive home games, the Lions head on the road for the first time.
Evanston (1-3, 0-0) at Maine South (3-1, 0-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Hoffman Estates 24, Evanston 7; Maine South 41, Barrington 21
Last year: Maine South 55, Evanston 22
Outlook: While most eyes are usually on the Maine South offense, it is the Hawks defense that is really making a name for itself. Nick Hachigan, Gavin Smith, Jake Cantal, Marty Greif, Matt Schlenhardt and Dean Arvanitis have been dialing it up for Maine South. They have allowed just 41 points in the last three games to 8A perennial playoff teams Warren, Palatine and Barrington. And most of those points came when the games were well decided. Evanston has lost three in a row since its opener against Niles North.
Fremd (4-0, 0-0) at Conant (2-2, 0-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Fremd 35, New Trier 16; Conant 28, Highland Park 24
Last year: Fremd 52, Conant 6
Outlook: Fremd has dominated the Cougars in the last decade, winning 8 of their last 10 meetings with Conant last winning in 2021. The Vikings head into the game knowing their defense will be the key to success. Led by Troy Pepe, Tom O’Brien, Jason Hardy, Marquan Brewster, Matt Klimas, Anthony D’Ambrosio and Owen Jakubczek, Fremd’s defense, which has allowed just 8 points per game, will need to slow Conant’s option ground game. Conant heads into the game with 294 yards per game with Nathan Kutella and Jackson Spizzirri the main cogs in the Cougars’ Wing-T offense.
Hoffman Estates (4-0, 0-0) at Schaumburg (3-1, 0-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Hoffman Estates 24, Evanston 7; Schaumburg 49, Vernon Hills 7
Last year: Hoffman Estates 28, Schaumburg 20
Outlook: This is always a huge neighborhood battle. And it is even more significant with both teams playing at a high caliber. Hoffman has won its first four games. The Hawks have used a balanced offense where they have gained 664 yards in the air and 622 yards on the ground while turning the ball over just one time. Schaumburg has run the ball very well too. The Saxons have used a trio of ball carriers in Vince Heydecker, Xavier Tudela and quarterback Ray Black to win its last three games. Schaumburg has turned the ball over five times this season.
Palatine (2-2, 0-0) at Barrington (3-1, 0-0)
When: Saturday, noon
Last week: Glenbrook South 28, Palatine 7: Maine South 41, Barrington 21
Last year: Palatine 30, Barrington 24
Outlook: This is the Barrington traditional homecoming game with the time moved up to noon. Both teams are coming off losses on the scoreboard and on the field. Palatine has lost two games in a row and has been without Kole Fager who was injured near the end of the half against Maine South two weeks ago. His status is still uncertain. The Pirates have lost both games without his services and were outscored 70-13 in those games. Barrington dropped its first game of the season last week and lost sophomore running back Lamar Osterhues. Cameron Massillo, who has played in every game this season and scored four touchdowns, will be the main focus of the running attack if Osterhues can’t go. Barrington quarterback Luke Tepas leads the area in passing yards with 1,091.