Scouting Week 2, Northwest
Elk Grove (1-0) at Conant (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Outlook: This has all the makings of a great air show as the teams square off for the President’s Cup. Both quarterbacks had almost identical stats last week as Conant quarterback Danny Modelski tossed a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another score while throwing for 162 yards. Meanwhile, the Grenadiers’ Adam O’Malley threw 2 touchdown passes and ran for another as he passed for 188 yards. It could come down to the secondary where Elk Grove, led by Ryan Tickner’s 2 interceptions, picked off 5 passes last week. Conant, which picked off 4 passes, is led by Kevin Copher who snared two picks. Conant won last year’s meeting 26-14.
Rolling Meadows (1-0) at Fremd (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: It took a couple of extra days, but Meadows finally was able to post a victory after a rain-delayed start gave the Mustangs a short week to work toward Week 2. Meadows quarterback Bobby Suchecki was impressive in his first start, tossing 4 touchdown passes and 145 yards. He will face a Fremd defensive backfield that allowed 2 touchdown passes in last week’s loss to Lake Zurich. The Vikings, who also struggled offensively, managing just 128 yards of offense, should get a huge lift as Sam Beutler returns to start at quarterback. Rolling Meadows won last year’s meeting 27-14.
Buffalo Grove (1-0) at Hoffman Estates (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Outlook: Both teams have won as many games in the first week of this season as they won all of last year. Buffalo Grove was opportunistic, taking advantage turning three first-half turnovers into scores last week in the Bison win over Leyden. All eyes will be on the running game. Buffalo Grove got its rushing attack in full gear, gaining 205 yards. Scott Smithern, who should return from a back injury suffered last week, and quarterback Andrew Apel picked up most of the yards. Hoffman Estates gave coach Mike Donatucci a victory in his return to the sidelines as head coach. The Hawks, who will be looking to win two games in a row for the first time since 2007, held Streamwood to minus-6 yards rushing. Last season, Buffalo Grove got its lone victory of the season against Hoffman Estates in a 14-0 decision.
Palatine (1-0) at Hersey (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Outlook: This will be a battle of two teams that piled up the most yards in the MSL last week. Palatine didn’t appear to miss a beat, rolling up 427 yards of offense to blast Libertyville 25-7. Palatine quarterback Nick Orlando guided the speed-driven Pirates offense by throwing for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for another 75 yards. Hersey is in the same spot it was a year ago. The Huskies belted Glenbrook North last year, but struggled and missed the playoffs. But Dragan Teonic’s team is a bit tougher defensively this year as demonstrated by the 3 interceptions the Huskies garnered last week. Jack Warner guided and offense that piled up 429 yards. Palatine won last year’s matchup 49-14.
Barrington (1-0) at Prospect (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Outlook: Barrington got out of the gate with a fast start, downing a tough Jacobs team. The Broncos, who won just 3 games a year ago, look to keep things rolling behind the play of Daniel Kubiuk, who threw for 155 yards and a touchdown. Prospect sophomore quarterback Matt Drew opened and closed the game’s scoring with touchdown passes. But the Knights have to worry about what happened between that when they allowed Glenbrook South to pile up 358 yards of offense. Barrington topped Prospect 42-6 last year.
Schaumburg (1-0) at Wheeling (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Outlook: Schaumburg will look continue its ground assault after the Saxons piled up 402 rushing yards last week. Schaumburg was led by quarterback Stacey Smith, who had 151 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Justice-Macneal-Young, who gained 79 yards. “We just feel we need to get better,” Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said. “We have to finish better on tackles.” Wheeling, which was stunned by Mundelein, is hoping to get back on track. The Wildcats have their own strong rushing attack in Isaac Branch, who tallied 137 yards and scored 2 touchdowns and Amani Dennis, who had 75 yards. Schaumburg ran past Wheeling last year 35-7.
Deerfield (1-0) at St. Viator (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Forest View
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: This is a game the Lions need to win since they have a tough slate of conference games looming. Quarterback Bobby Calmeyn was the picture off efficiency last Friday, completing 8-of-9 passes, with 5 of those going for touchdowns. The Lions, who scored 49 first quarter points last weekend, hope to get off to a fast start against a Deerfield team that blanked Zion-Benton 15-0. “They play responsibility football on defense,” Lions coach Brandon New said. “We are going to try to attack them in many different ways.” St. Viator stymied Deerfield 21-3 last year.
Maine West (0-1) at Solario Academy (0-1)
When: 5 p.m. Friday at Solario Field
Outlook: Maine West gets another shot a Chicago Public League team after the Warriors were surprised last week by Urban Prep. The Warriors need to avoid giving up the big play after Urban Prep had three touchdowns of 50-plus yards. Matt Swanson had 111 yards and touchdown for the Warriors, who had 227 rushing yards. Solario Academy was 5-3 a year ago in their first season in operation in the Public League. The Sun Warriors lost their season opener last week to Kankakee 46-6.
Leyden (0-1) at Oak Park-River Forest (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights
Outlook: Despite being so close geographically, these two teams have not met since 2002. Leyden struggled in its opener last week. The Eagles’ three first-half turnovers all led to touchdowns. The bright spot for Leyden was the play of running back Aaron Whugham, who rushed for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns. Oak Park, which scored 25 points in the first quarter last week, is coming off a 55-8 win over Fenger.
Ottawa Marquette (1-0) at Christian Liberty (0-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Outlook: Christian Liberty got off to a slow start last Saturday, dropping its Northeastern Athletic Conference opener to Alden-Hebron. Now the Chargers host defending conference champion and state power Marquette. The Crusaders, who ripped Rockford Christian Life 40-28 last weekend, beat CLA 48-7 last year.