Scouting Week 6 Cook County football games
Addison Trail (4-1, 3-0) at Leyden (2-3, 1-1)
When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Last week: Addison Trail 48, Morton 6; Leyden 40, Proviso East 0
Last year: Addison Trail 42, Leyden 17
Outlook: Leyden broke a three-game losing streak by running the ball very well last week. Leyden piled up 264 rushing yards behind Alan Buljina, Nehemiah Almodovar, Christopher Stephens and Dominic Ganir. Lucas Latiker, who did get a small amount of work last week after his return from an ankle sprain, should be even stronger this week for Leyden. Addison Trail is an extra point away from being unbeaten. But the Blazers’ four wins are against teams with a combined record of 5-15.
Elk Grove (1- 4, 0-1) at Hersey (3-2, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Rolling Meadows 48, Elk Grove 0; Hersey 62, Wheeling 0
Last year: Hersey 55, Elk Grove 7
Outlook: Elk Grove struggled last week. The Grenadiers fell behind early and managed just 103 yards of offense including 12 rushing yards. Now they face a Hersey team that has been on fire on both sides of the ball. Jake Nawrot has thrown for 19 touchdowns and 1,359 yards with Hersey now averaging nearly 45 points per game. Nawrot spread it around last week, throwing touchdown passes to Jackson Wilder, Tyler Wentink, Josh Riggs, Cooper Muller and Brandon Jenkins. But just as impressive is the Hersey defense, which opened the season allowing 78 points in two games. Since then, the Huskies have posted three consecutive shutouts.
Maine South (4-1, 1-0) at New Trier (3-2, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Maine South 33, Evanston 0; New Trier 44, Deerfield 7
Last year: Maine South 32, New Trier 0
Outlook: All those naysayers who pronounced Maine South dead and buried after Week 1 are eating their words right now. Since then, it is difficult to say which side of the ball is playing better for the Hawks with them outscoring their opponents 168-41. Maine South will most likely look to cash in this week like Fremd did against the Trevians when the Vikings threw for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Look for Maine South quarterback Jameson Purcell to attack them though the air. New Trier is the only CSL team to beat the Hawks with a nonforfeited win in the last 25 years. Unfortunately for the Trevians, they have only done it once.
St. Viator (1-4, 0-1) at DePaul Prep (1-4, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: St. Ignatius 44, St. Viator 3; Loyola 42, DePaul 12
Last year: Did not play
Outlook: Both teams have only defeated Marian Catholic this season. St. Viator won its opener against the Spartans 22-19 while DePaul beat Marian 43-19 in Week 3. Wynn Phillipi leads St. Viator with 32 tackles including 4 sacks. Colton Schneider has 28 tackles, and Dylan Bergt has 26 for the Lions. DePaul is the defending state 4A champions. That success has had the Rams not only move up in the CCL/ESCC to the Purple Division with St. Viator this year, but also up to 7A for the IHSA.
Wheeling (1-4, 0-1) at Prospect (4-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Hersey 62, Wheeling 0; Prospect 45, Buffalo Grove 7
Last year: Prospect 42, Wheeling 0
Outlook: Wheeling got blanked last week after the Wildcats had scored a combined 88 points in their previous two games. Wheeling is hoping to get that offense back in gear behind quarterback Christian Campos. Prospect, which is averaging nearly 47 points per game, will be looking to exploit a Wheeling defense that is surrendering nearly the same amount. Jackson Cacini upped his touchdown pass production to 15 after throwing six last week. He has 998 passing yards. Matthew Donnelley has kept defenses from focusing on Cacini with his 554 rushing yards. The Prospect defense has settled in quite nicely, allowing just one touchdown in each of their last three games.
Barrington (4-1, 0-1) at Conant (1-4, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Barrington 42, Palatine 21; Fremd 42, Conant 7
Last year: Barrington 55, Conant 14
Outlook: Both teams were run, run, run last week. Barrington ran the ball 40 times while passing just 7 times as the Broncos scored all 7 of their touchdowns on the ground. Lamar Osterhues and Cameron Massillo are the main focus in the Broncos running game. Conant is so dedicated to the run that the Cougars have not thrown a pass in a game in the last three weeks. That strategy had led to a pair of consecutive wins until last week’s loss to Fremd. Jake Spissiri and Nathan Kutella have combined to lead the Cougars rushing attack.
Buffalo Grove (2-3, 0-1) at Rolling Meadows (4-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Prospect 45, Buffalo Grove 7; Rolling Meadows 48, Elk Grove 0
Last year: Rolling Meadows 28, Buffalo Grove 13
Outlook: Buffalo Grove took a step back after the Bison had won their previous two games. Buffalo Grove will be looking to get its ground game back after Matthew Kaput was limited to 15 carries and 51 yards last week. The Bison will look to increase those numbers significantly to keep the Rolling Meadows offense, which is averaging 48 points per game, off the field. The Mustangs have been flying high behind a plethora of weapons. Quarterback Joe Bingham, running back Luke Harvey, wide receivers Shea Wells, Jack Andersen, Arman Lepuzanovic and Donvan Hunter along with tight end Sean Kerr have left defenses scratching their heads on whom to attempt to stop.
Fremd (5-0, 1-0) at Hoffman Estates (5-0, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Fremd 42, Conant 7; Hoffman Estates 28, Schaumburg 7
Last year: Fremd 37, Hoffman Estates 6
Outlook: This is a battle of the final two area teams that are unbeaten. Fremd has been dominant in all five of its wins. The Vikings are doing it with an offense that is averaging 40 points per game. Quarterback Johnny O’Brien went over the 6,000-yard mark for his career last week and has Marquan Brewster as his main target. Meanwhile, the Vikings defense has allowed just 38 points on the season. Hoffman enters the game with similar stats scoring just under 40 points per game while giving up 55 points all season. The Hawks have done it with an offense that has been able to go by land or by air. Austin Lezniak is coming off his highest production of the season, throwing for 248 yards. His favorite receiver has been Torey Baskin. Landon Ford has rushed for 480 yards this season and the Hawks also have Quan Fields and Jackson Jamari.
Schaumburg (3-2, 0-1) at Palatine (2-3, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Hoffman Estates 28, Schaumburg 7; Barrington 42, Palatine 21
Last year: Palatine 35, Schaumburg 0
Outlook: After three consecutive wins, Schaumburg stumbled last week. The Saxons will be looking to get their offense back on track after gaining just 167 yards last week. Vince Heydecker did gain 93 yards for Schaumburg on the ground. But 45 of that came on a touchdown run. Schaumburg will be looking to exploit a Palatine defense that allowed 7 rushing touchdowns last week. The Pirates have given up nearly 36 points per game. The Palatine offense did come alive last week as Will Santiago threw for 191 yards and Ray Gaspard rushed for 100. The Pirates also got a huge spark last week with the full return of Kole Fager.
Vernon Hills (1-4, 0-1) at Maine East (0-5, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Highland Park 35, Vernon Hills 7; Niles West 56, Maine East 0
Last year: Vernon Hills 36, Maine East 12
Outlook: Maine East has been searching for a score for the past four weeks. The Demons have been blanked during that span and are hoping to change things around this week against a Vernon Hills team that has scored just three touchdowns during that same period.
Maine West (2-3, 1-0) at Highland Park (3-2, 1-0)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Last week: Maine West 41, Niles North 33; Highland Park 35, Vernon Hills 7
Last year: Maine West 37, Highland Park 12; Vernon Hills 7
Outlook: Although it is early in the CSL North schedule, this game could decide the title. Maine West is the two-time defending champion of the conference. The Warriors were able to snap a three-game losing streak with a solid win last week. Maine West has leaned heavily on its running game with the Warriors rushing for 489 yards last week. Louis Avalos is coming off a 277-yard performance while Nathan Abede piled up 162 yards from the quarterback spot. After two close losses in MSL crossover games, Highland Park turned things around last week.