Scouting Week 9 Cook County football games

New Trier (4-4, 2-2) at Maine South (6-2, 4-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: New Trier beat Niles West 34-14; Maine South beat Evanston 28-7

Last year: Maine South 49, New Trier 42; Maine South 51, New Trier 7

Outlook: After losing its first three, New Trier has an opportunity to claim a share of the CSL South and earn a playoff berth. Maine South is looking to wrap up its 22nd CSL South title, with 21 of those being undefeated in conference play. New Trier is the only CSL South team to beat Maine South. The Hawks will also be looking to knock New Trier out of the playoffs. The Hawks beat the Trevians twice last season including eliminating the Trevians in the opening round of the playoffs.

Highland Park (4-4, 2-2) at Maine West (4-4, 3-1)

When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Last week: Highland Park lost to Vernon Hills 50-34; Maine West beat Niles North 42-0

Last year: Highland Park 20, Maine West 7

Outlook: Maine West will be looking for a win to secure an invitation to the state playoffs. Maine West has taken care of business the past four weeks, winning three of those games. Their only loss came to Deerfield 13-7 in a game that Maine West had opportunities to win. They will need a top-notch effort from an offense led by Isaac Pittman, Tommy Delaney and Szymon Grom. Highland Park also needs to win to get into the playoffs. Highland Park has lost four of its last six games.

Buffalo Grove (4-4, 2-2) at Hersey (8-0, 4-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Buffalo Grove beat Rolling Meadows 48-14; Hersey beat Elk Grove 42-0

Last year: Buffalo Grove 21, Hersey 20

Outlook: Buffalo Grove is looking to earn its way into the playoffs. The Bison have been stampeding offensively, averaging nearly 34 points per game while winning four of their last six games. A loss doesn't eliminate the Bison, it will just make the waiting more difficult. With a win, Hersey should wrap up the top seed in the Class 7A playoffs. While the Huskies' offense gets most of the credit, the Hersey defense led by Ethan Sather, Oleg Simakov, Carson Grove, Meister and Johnny Ryg has allowed just 79 points this year. They have registered three shutouts and have not allowed a point in the last 10 quarters.

Hoffman Estates (6-2, 4-0) at Palatine (7-1, 4-0)

When: Friday, 7:300 PM

Last week: Hoffman Estates beat Fremd 42-25; Palatine beat Schaumburg 41-6

Last year: Palatine 43, Hoffman Estates 13

Outlook: This is the battle for all the marbles in the MSL West. Hoffman has been on a roll since week 3, with the Hawks winning their last six games. Hoffman has been flying high during that span, averaging 45 points per game. Palatine comes into the game playing the best defense in the conference. Led by Jaylen Williams, Thomas Houser, Daevion Farrow, Thomas Coroneous, Trey Widlowski, Ryan Wagner and Michael Tokar, the Pirates have surrendered just 37 points in their four conference games and 115 on the season. No matter what the outcome, both teams have qualified for the playoffs.

Prospect (7-1, 3-1) at Rolling Meadows (4-4, 1-3)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Prospect beat Wheeling 44-12; Rolling Meadows lost to Buffalo Grove 48-14

Last year: Rolling Meadows 26, Prospect 24

Outlook: Rolling Meadows has its backs against the wall. Again. The Mustangs needed a win last year over Prospect in the season finale to earn a playoff spot and they were able to pull it off. They will need lightning to strike a second time in a row to earn their 11th consecutive trip. Prospect continues to have a great season while flying a bit under the radar the past few weeks after its loss to Hersey. The Knights are averaging nearly 42 points per game. Brad Vierniesel has 2,407 passing yards and has thrown for 27 touchdowns for Prospect.

Maine East (1-7, 0-4) at Vernon Hills (2-6, 2-2)

When: Friday, 6 p.m.

Last week: Maine East lost to Deerfield 43-6; Vernon Hills beat Highland Park 50-34

Last year: Vernon Hills 62, Maine East 19

Outlook: Maine East is wrapping up its season which saw the Blue Devils pick up a win for the first time in five seasons. There is reason for optimism going forward thanks to an offense that has doubled its output from a year ago. Maine East will be looking to increase that number against a Vernon Hills team that is playing its best football of the season right now. The Cougars have won their last two games and outscored opponents 92-34 during that span.

Barrington (3-5, 2-2) at Fremd (1-7, 1-3)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Barrington beat Conant 14-6; Fremd lost to Hoffman Estates 42-25

Last year: Barrington 42, Fremd 14

Outlook: Barrington needs to win to get its ball rolling. The Broncos will then have to scoreboard watch like no other, hoping that they can sneak into the playoffs with a 4-5 mark. Barrington got this miraculous journey started last week with their win over Conant. The Broncos defense was in complete check. They will need that Friday against a Fremd team that is just starting to come into its own. The Vikings have averaged 23 points in their last three games but won just one of those games. It will also be the final game on the sidelines for Fremd football operations director and arguably the best high school stat guy around, Mike Brown, who is stepping down after 30 years.

Schaumburg (3-5, 1-3) at Conant (4-4, 0-4)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Schaumburg lost to Palatine 41-6; Conant lost to Barrington 14-6

Last year: Conant 42, Schaumburg 20

Outlook: Schaumburg looks to end its season on a high note after losing the last two games. The Saxons have been struggling offensively and have scored one touchdown in each of those games. They do have another goal, which is to play spoiler to Conant. The Cougars opened their season with four wins. They have followed with four consecutive losses. Still, a win Friday would give Conant a berth in the state playoffs. The Cougars will need to avoid costly turnovers, which has doomed them the past couple of weeks.

Elk Grove (6-2, 2-2) at Wheeling (3-5, 0-4)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Elk Grove lost to Hersey 42-0; Wheeling lost to Prospect 48-14

Last year: Elk Grove 37, Wheeling 13

Outlook: Elk Grove will be looking to regroup after the Grenadiers stumbled hard a week ago against Hersey. Nothing seemed to work on either side of the ball for the Grens, who will be looking to get some momentum heading into their first state playoff appearance in 2011. A win Friday would secure a home playoff game for them. Wheeling is hoping to change its fortunes in its final game The Wildcats had got off to a solid start to the season but have dropped their last four.

St. Viator (4-4, 1-1) vs. St. Patrick (4-4, 2-0)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m. at Triton

Last week: St. Viator lost to Mt. Carmel 60-0; St., Patrick lost to Loyola 53-7

Last year: St. Patrick 17, St. Viator 7

Outlook: It is win or go home for St. Viator. The Lions need to find a way beat St. Pat's and earn their first playoff spot and make their first playoff appearance since 2017. A win would also give the Lions a tie for the CCL/ESCC Purple title. The Lions head into the game on a two-game losing streak after playing St. Ignatius and Mt. Carmel. They will need a solid effort to pick the Shamrocks, who qualified for the playoffs last season. St. Patrick heads into the game also on a two-game losing streak and needing a win to secure a playoff spot.