Scouting Week 8 Cook County football games
Prospect (6-1, 3-0) at Hersey (5-2, 3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Prospect 35, Rolling Meadows 32; Hersey 52, Buffalo Grove 2
Last year: Prospect 30, Hersey 27
Outlook: This should be a real fun one with two teams who know how to light up a scoreboard. Both teams have won five in a row. Prospect is averaging 48.4 points per game thanks to the play of Jackson Canini. The junior has stepped into his role quite nicely, throwing for 1,461 yards and 22 touchdown passes. His receivers, Nate Cichy, Gordon Kemp, David Gerdes and Jacob Sutton along with running back Matthew Donnelly, will challenge a Hersey defense that has been spectacular. That defense has allowed just 16 points over the last five games. Meanwhile, Hersey quarterback Jake Nawrot has been dynamite in his own right. The junior has thrown for 1,800 yards and 27 touchdowns as the Huskies are averaging 47 points per game. Tyler Wentink, Josh Riggs, Jackson Wilder and Austin Schultz along with running back Brandon Jenkins have been a force.
Maine West (3-4, 2-1) at Vernon Hills (3-4, 2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Maine West 49, Maine East 0; Vernon Hills 27, Niles West 6
Last year: Maine West 41, Vernon Hills 14
Outlook: This game will go a long way to determine if either team will qualify for the state playoffs. Both teams lost to Highland Park with Vernon Hills losing 35-7 and Maine West 41-0. The game could be a quick one with both teams favoring running the football. Maine West is coming off a 389-yard rushing performance led by Nathan Abede (20 carries, 171 yards) and Louis Avalos (8 carries 89 yards). Vernon Hills counters with its own attack with Colin McMurray 72 carries, 392 yards), Giuseppe Urso (54 carries, 308 yards) and Jack Gutowski 29 carries, 243 yards).
Maine East (0-7, 0-3) at Niles North (2-5, 1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Maine West 49, Maine East 0; Highland Park 38, Niles North 13
Last year: Maine East 30, Niles North 7
Outlook: It continues to be a tough year for Maine East. The Demons have struggled to put things together and have scored just two touchdowns this season. But they play a Niles North team that has surrendered 40 points per game this season.
Glenbrook South (6-1, 3-0) at Maine South (6-1, 3-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Glenbrook South 42, Deerfield 0; Maine South 56, Glenbrook North 0
Last year: Maine South 31, Glenbrook South 28
Outlook: This should decide the CSL South. Other than the forfeit year for Maine South, the Hawks have never lost to Glenbrook South. The Titans have played very good defense in their last four games, allowing just 13 points. Maine South continues to play better each week after its season opening loss to Lincoln-Way East. In those games, Maine South has outscored its opponents 259-48. Jameson Purcell is coming off a 5-touchdown, 238-yard performance by throwing to eight different Hawks receivers. More impressively, those numbers came from just one half of play.
Palatine (4-3, 2-1) at Fremd (6-1, 2-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Palatine 35, Hoffman Estates 21; Barrington 23, Fremd 7
Last year: Palatine 28, Fremd 21
Outlook: The annual “Battle of the Tracks” has both teams looking to having their wheels on the rails. Palatine did a great job of that last week by ending a three-game losing streak. The Pirates played their most complete game of the season on both sides of the ball. A healthy Kole Fager is a major key, with Fager rushing for 135 yards and four touchdowns while catching four passes. Health is the key on the other side of town as the most important foot in Palatine this weekend belongs to Johnny O’Brien. The quarterback injured his right foot against Hoffman Estates two weeks ago. The Northwestern-bound O’Brien missed last week’s loss to Barrington. O’Brien is again a game-time decision this week for the Vikings. Fremd leads the series 32-25 with Palatine winning the last five matchups.
Barrington (6-1, 3-0) at Schaumburg (3-4, 0-3)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Barrington 23, Fremd 7; Conant 43, Schaumburg 28
Last year: Barrington 42, Schaumburg 6
Outlook: Barrington is looking to keep the momentum going after back-to- back wins over Palatine and Fremd. Barrington can clinch a share of the MSL title with a win this week. The Broncos defense stepped up last week with three second-half interceptions by Duke Matiyow, Brooks Howard and Nick Marin. Schaumburg has been in a free fall for the last three weeks. They will need to get the train turned around this week if the Saxons hope to get back to the playoffs. Schaumburg has run the ball well this season, but the Saxons have struggled to stop the run and gave up 422 rushing yards last week.
Elk Grove (2-5, 1-2) at Buffalo Grove (2-5, 0-3)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Elk Grove 57, Wheeling 13; Hersey 52, Buffalo Grove 2
Last year: Elk Grove 17, Buffalo Grove 14
Outlook: The battle of the Groves should be a fun one between a couple of teams that are looking to put together a great ending to an up-and-down season. Elk Grove is coming off its best offense performance of the season last week, scoring a season-high 57 points. Erik Sandoval, Santiago Myles, Jordan Bruford and Nathan Dean led a rushing attack that picked up 232 yards. Buffalo Grove will be looking to find its running game after an injury to Matthew Kaput has sidelined him. Alex Iwicki, David Graham and Issaac Cazares will step in to replace Kaput. The Bison will also lean more heavily on the passing of Grady Boeche.
Hoffman Estates (5-2, 1-2) at Conant (3-4, 1-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Palatine 35, Hoffman Estates 21; Conant 43, Schaumburg 28
Last year: Hoffman Estates 35, Conant 7
Outlook: The annual battle for the Mayors Cup looks like it will be a fun one. Hoffman comes into the game with consecutive losses. The Hawks, who won their first five, struggled against Fremd and Palatine but are hoping to turn things around this week with an offense that still is averaging nearly 35 points per game. Conant appears to be on an upsurge. The Cougars have found their running game behind Nathan Kutella, who piled up 250 rushing yards and six touchdowns last week. Conant also completed its first pass in four weeks with a 29-yards pass from Tyler Marchese to Dylan Kelley.
Leyden (3-4, 2-2) at Downers Grove South (5-2, 3-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Leyden 31, Morton 22; Downers Grove South 30, Hinsdale South 27
Last year: Downers Grove South 33, Leyden 7
Outlook: Leyden needs wins in its final two games to become playoff eligible. The Eagles showed their ground game is an important facet to their success last week. Leyden rushed for 229 rushing yards behind Nehemiah Almodovar (25 carries, 179 yards) and Lucas Latiker (17 carries, 50 yards). Downers Grove South has won its last two games, but the Mustangs are allowing 31 points per game.
Rolling Meadows (5-2, 2-1) at Wheeling (1-6, 0-3)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Prospect 35, Rolling Meadows 32; Elk Grove 57, Wheeling 13
Last year: Rolling Meadows 42, Wheeling 0
Outlook: Rolling Meadows just a fell a bit short last week. But the Mustangs can still get a share on the MSL East with wins in their final two games and a Hersey win over Prospect this week. Meadows has two losses this season by just six points. The Mustangs offense has been stampeding all season, averaging nearly 48 points per game thanks to the play of quarterback Joe Brigham, who has thrown for 1,383 yards and 20 touchdowns. Wheeling has been a Jekyll and Hyde on the football field. The Wildcats offense has been good, averaging 18 points per game, while the defense has had its issues, allowing just over 50 points per game.
IC Catholic (5-2) vs. St. Viator (1-6) at Forest View
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: IC 57, Marmion 14; Montini 43, St. Viator 3
Last year: IC 48, St. Viator 28
Outlook: St. Viator just completed a string of playing 6 consecutive playoff teams from 2024. IC just missed qualifying last season, but the Knights are back playing well again this year. They are coming off a win over Marmion, a team St. Viator lost to in the third week of the season 28-0. Viator is hoping to get its offense back on track this week.