Scouting Week 9 Cook County football games
Hinsdale South (2-6, 2-3) at Leyden (3-5, 2-3)
When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Last week: Hinsdale South 35, Morton 14; Downers Grove South 42, Leyden 10
Last year: Hinsdale South 38, Leyden 0
Outlook: Leyden’s playoff hopes were completely dashed last week. Still, the Eagles are looking to end their season strong thanks to their running game led by senior Lucas Lattiker and junior Nehemiah Almodovar, who has come on very strong in the second half of the season. Matthew Aquirre, who is a senior, has played well at quarterback this season as well. A win by the Eagles would have them equal their win total from last season. All their losses have come to playoff qualifying teams. Hinsdale South broke a four-game losing streak with their win last week.
Niles West (1-7, 1-3) at Maine West (3-5, 2-2)
When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Last week: Highland Park 28, Niles West 0; Vernon Hills 14, Maine West 7
Last year: Maine West 21, Niles West 14
Outlook: Maine West’s loss last week means that the Warriors will miss the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. Maine West will still be looking to go out on a high note behind seniors Louis Avalao and Nathan Abede. Niles West has lost its last three games and scored just 6 points in the last two games.
Maine South (7-1, 4-0) at Deerfield (1-7, 1-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Maine South 38, Glenbrook South 7; Evanston 31, Deerfield 0
Last year: Maine South 38, Deerfield 14
Outlook: Maine South continues to roll. With their prolific offense, the Hawks have outscored its conference opponents 162-14. But while the offense has been getting the notoriety, it is the Maine South defense led by Jake Cantal, Nick Hachigan, Dean Arvanitis, Matt Schlenhardt, David Piotrowski, Gavin Smith and Santino Bernabei that has allowed just 55 points in their last 8 games. Now that group plays Deerfield, a team that has been shut out in its last two games.
Hersey (6-2, 4-0) at Rolling Meadows (6-2, 3-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Hersey 38, Prospect 34; Rolling Meadows 63, Wheeling 0
Last year: Hersey 49, Rolling Meadows 7
Outlook: Hersey found a way to win last week as the Huskies picked up their sixth win in a row. And if the Huskies can do that again this week, they will win the MSL East outright. Not only was Jake Nawrot on fire last week, but he has also been like Johnny Storm the entire season. The junior has completed 72% of his passes (127-of-177) for 2,139 yards with 30 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also has run for 6 touchdowns and has the Huskies averaging 45.9 points per game. Rolling Meadows is actually averaging more points per game than Hersey with quarterback Joe Brigham leading the Mustangs to 49.4 points per game. Meadows’ losses came by a total of 10 points to Palatine and Prospect. The Mustangs’ defense, led by Sean Kerr, Jake and Josh Rappa, Keeling Murray, Arman Lepuzanovic and Jack Andersen have allowed just under 14 points per game.
Elk Grove (3-5, 2-2) at Prospect (6-2, 3-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Elk Grove 10, Buffalo Grove 4; Hersey 38, Prospect 34
Last year: Prospect 56, Elk Grove 12
Outlook: Elk Grove opened the season with three consecutive losses. But the Grenadiers found themselves over the stretch of the next five games, winning three. Nathan Dean and Ryan Tanner have provided that senior leadership that was needed. Prospect is headed to the playoffs. And the Knights want to march into them with some momentum after being stunned in the fourth quarter last week. Prospect has just two losses this season by a combined 7 points. Jackson Cacini has been getting better each week while Matthew Donnelly has run the ball hard. With a win and a Hersey loss to Rolling Meadows, Prospect would tie for the MSL East title.
Buffalo Grove (2-6, 0-4) at Wheeling (1-7, 0-4)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Elk Grove 10, Buffalo Grove 4; Rolling Meadows 63, Wheeling 0
Last year: Buffalo Grove 41, Wheeling 0
Outlook: Both teams have struggled this season. Buffalo Grove opened the year with two losses. But the Bison then recovered to win their next two and appeared to be on their way. But a difficult stretch of their schedule and a key injury to Matthew Kaput torpedoed their hopes. Wheeling also lost its first two games. The Wildcats came back with a huge win in week three, but their season seemed to slip away from there. Christian Campos has stepped up quite nicely at quarterback for Wheeling this season.
Barrington (7-1, 4-0) at Hoffman Estates (6-2, 2-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Barrington 42, Schaumburg 0; Hoffman Estates 28, Conant 14
Last year: Barrington 42, Hoffman Estates 13
Outlook: A Barrington win here could secure a second seed in the Class 8A playoffs for the Broncos. Barrington has been flying high offensively with quarterback Luke Tepas operating at a high level. Tepas has thrown 21 touchdown passes with just one interception while throwing for 1,697 yards. Austin Coles (38 receptions, 652 yards) and Owen Cook (27 receptions, 501 yards) are the main targets while Lamar Osterhues has 856 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Hoffman Estates bounced back quite nicely last week after losing two in a row with their win over crosstown rival Conant. That earned Hoffman its fifth consecutive playoff appearance. The Hawks have been impressive on offense with Austin Lesniak directing a group that is averaging 35 points. Wide receivers Torey Baskin, Dunmi Oginni and TJ Bond are dangerous along with the running game led by Landon Ford.
Conant (3-5, 1-3) at Palatine (4-4, 2-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Hoffman Estates 28, Conant 14; Fremd 23, Palatine 13
Last year: Palatine 40, Conant 7
Outlook: Conant has a slim chance to qualify for the playoffs. The Cougars would need a win and then lots of help to sneak in with a 4-5 mark. Despite that, Conant has shown vast improvement throughout the season. Their running game with Nathan Kutella and Tyler Marchese has got better each week. And the Cougars even threw a touchdown pass. Palatine has played one of the toughest schedules in the state with seven opponents already qualifying for the playoffs. Key injuries slowed the Pirates early, but they look to be much healthier now. Kole Fager has been the go-to guy for the Pirates, who have also leaned heavily on Ray Gaspard, Jayden Evans and quarterback Will Santiago.
Schaumburg (3-5, 0-4) at Fremd (7-1, 3-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Barrington 42, Schaumburg 0; Fremd 23, Palatine 13
Last year: Fremd 48, Schaumburg 6
Outlook: Despite losing four in a row, Schaumburg is still alive for a playoff spot. But the Saxons need so many levers to turn before that can become a reality. There is no starting those turns if the Saxons fail to win Friday. Schaumburg has run the ball well this season, but the Saxons have some key injuries in the backfield. Fremd’s only loss came when quarterback Johnny O’Brien was sidelined with a foot injury. O’Brien returned to the field last week and threw for 266 yards on 28-of-36 passing and one touchdown to Maquan Brewster. O’Brien also rushed for a pair of touchdowns. The Fremd defense has continued to be terrific and has allowed 11 points per game.
St. Viator (1-7, 0-2) at St. Patrick (4-4, 2-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: IC Catholic 49, St. Viator 9; St. Rita 49, St. Patrick 14
Last year: St. Viator 21, St. Patrick 12
Outlook: This is the battle of the ex-Bears with Robbie Gould in his first year at St. Viator and Tommy Zbikowski in his first season as a head coach. Viator has run into difficult times after winning their opener as the Lions have lost seven straight. St. Pat’s needs a win to clinch their first playoff spot since 2021. St. Viator has won the last three meetings between the teams and five of the last six.
Highland Park (6-2, 4-0) at Maine East (0-8, 0-4)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Highland Park 28, Niles West 0; Niles North 51, Maine East 6
Last year: Highland Park 17, Maine East 8
Outlook: Maine East broke a 6-game scoreless streak with a touchdown last week. Now the Demons take on the class of the conference in the Giants. Highland Park has already clinched CSL North. The Giants have allowed just 20 points in conference play while scoring 132.