Scouting Palatine at Conant

Palatine (3-2, 1-0) at Conant (2-3, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at Charles O. Feutz Field

Last week: Palatine d. Hoffman Estates 49-7; Conant lost to Barrington 38-21

Outlook: How long has it been since Palatine won at Conant? Assistant coach Sergio Lund was a freshman who was part of the Pirates' run to a Class 5A state runner-up finish in 1994. "For whatever reason when we go there they seem to have our number," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly, whose team lost there 40-34 two years ago and trails the series 18-13. "Hopefully our kids will be ready to play." They were last week as QB Cody Bobbit (946 yards passing, 9 TDs) was on target all night in one of his best games, WR Nick McHugh returned from injury to catch 2 TDs and Jimmy Smearman rushed for 96 yards. Plus OL Layne Kirch returns to the starting lineup and sophomore RB John Serio makes his varsity debut in his return from a separated shoulder. "We've never put anyone away (this year) so that was encouraging," Donnelly said. Conant paid a big price for a couple of turnovers that led to touchdowns in its third straight loss. "We have to be better, that's for sure," said Conant coach Bill Modelski. "It's time (for our underclassmen) to grow up because they're no longer young players at this point." Modelski said Matt Cullen will start at QB after coming out of last week's game for Brian Wadsworth and DL Trace Ancona (concussion) and RB Cordell Clark (knee) will return this week.