Scouting Fremd at Palatine

Fremd (2-4, 1-1) at Palatine (4-2, 2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Chic Anderson Stadium

Last week: Fremd d. Hoffman Estates 30-0; Palatine d. Conant 27-10

Outlook: Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly and Fremd coach Mike Donatucci can save the extra motivational ploys for another time in a cross-town meeting with big postseason stakes. "This is the easiest week to coach as far as motivation," Donnelly said. "You say a five-letter word and that will do it for our kids." Fremd is driven by trying to extend its 15-year playoff run and it took care of part one last week behind DE Adam Mertes, RB-LB Justin Wallace (613 yards, 6 TDs) and freshman QB Sam Beutler (411 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs). Palatine is looking for its fourth straight playoff berth and would also like to get this one with Schaumburg and Barrington up next. "Our next three opponents will be really big (physically)," Donnelly said. "Fremd is a very good team and they do a lot of things we don't necessarily match up very well against." But Palatine poses its share of matchup problems with the ability to use QB Cody Bobbit in a variety of ways with RB-LB Jim Smearman, RB John Serio and WR-DB Jesse Bobbit. Fremd leads the series 27-16 and has won 11 of 13 meetings Palatine won 28-21 at home two years ago.