Northwest Suburban football previews
MID-SUBURBAN CROSSOVERS
Palatine (1-0) at Elk Grove (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert Haskell Stadium
Last week: Palatine d. Lake Forest 38-31; Elk Grove d. Niles North 39-7
Outlook: Will both teams led by junior QBs approach the combined 1,000-yard mark after Elk Grove and Nick Meyer had 508 and Palatine and Cody Bobbit had 415 in their openers? "There's going to be a lot of talent on that field," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "Elk Grove is athletic, physical and obviously they have a lot of excitement going on." Bobbit had 314 total yards and 5 TDs - even though he cramped up and couldn't run the ball in the second half - and Meyer had 435 yards and 4 TDs. "Bobbit is all over the field and they're so large upfront and have great skill kids," said Elk Grove coach Brian Doll. "Obviously they're real sound at everything and Bobbit makes it go." Meyer has three big threats in Matt McEnery, Eddie Solorio and Joey Bishoff, but Palatine got interceptions from Trey Cannon, Jim Smearman, Joe Pelnar and Mike Johlie against Notre Dame-bound QB Tommy Rees. Palatine won 44-7 last year to even the series at 9-9.
Schaumburg (0-1) at Prospect (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at George Gattas Stadium
Last week: Schaumburg lost to Maine South 64-35; Prospect d. York 41-27
Outlook: It doesn't get any easier for Schaumburg as it goes from the defending 8A champion to a 7A title contender looking to avenge last year's 54-33 loss. But the Saxons didn't feel that badly about how they played last week and get a boost on defense with Anthony Giannelli returning and Dionte Hackler able to play in the secondary after he was banged up and limited to offense. "They were noticeably better in the second half and they're going to be better (tonight)," Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said of a unit with eight first-time starters. "The refreshing thing is I really thought we outperformed them in the third quarter and the kids competed their tails off." The Saxons will try to slow Miles Osei after he threw for 275 yards and 3 TDs and rushed for 118 and a TD in little more than two quarters. Prospect coach Brent Pearlman also said defensively "I saw some flashes I really liked" last week. "Schaumburg has playmakers," Pearlman said. "There were four situations where they could have cashed in against Maine South and it really was a lot closer than it was." Schaumburg leads the series 22-10.
Conant (0-1) at Rolling Meadows (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert A. Hoese Athletic Field
Last week: Conant lost to Lake Park 34-20; Meadows d. Dyett 48-0
Outlook: Despite 3 lost fumbles, Conant coach Bill Modelski wasn't too unhappy with his offense led by 151 yards and 3 TDs from Kyle Klosowicz and 148 total yards by QB Rico Prestia. The defense which allowed 352 yards was another story. "What I was really disappointed in was our effort on defense," Modelski said. "To me you don't ever deserve to win when that comes into question. It needs to be fixed and we're going to be in trouble if we don't. We have the ability to run the ball but if we don't fix this it won't matter." Especially since the Cougars face Division I QB prospect Jimmy Garoppolo (10-for-14, 143 yards, 4 TDs) and WRs Tony Taibi and Artie Checchin. "They looked pretty solid but how good I don't know," Modelski said of the Mustangs' romp over Dyett. "Garoppolo's the guy you have to stop, running the ball probably more than throwing it." Conant did get good news on WR-DB Garrett Gatz as an MRI showed he didn't suffer a torn ACL as feared and was expected to play. Meadows won 20-14 last year in a series Conant leads 18-11.
Barrington (0-1) at Buffalo Grove (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Last week: Barrington lost to Libertyville 22-21; BG d. Mundelein 26-0
Outlook: BG felt it was only out of 2 of its 6 losses a year ago - including 39-14 at Barrington. "Redemption is a word we're using from last year," said BG coach Jim Farrell. "Last year they were the better team by far and they handed it to us." The Bison hope their first shutout since Week 8 of 2006 led by LB Tyler Juckett is a sign of things to come in what will be a tough test against QB Terrance Terry and RB Chase Murdock. "Terry is a dynamic athlete, that's for sure," Farrell said. "He's an efficient passer as well as a dangerous runner." Barrington allowed only 214 yards last week behind ILBs Anthony Gentile, Dan Santoro and Peter Cobb, DL John Focosi and S Brett Seeger but also expects BG junior QB Mike Garrity to throw more to balance the running of Kevin Mulligan (102 yards). "BG is definitely much-improved offensively compared to last year and they have a nice group of skill kids," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "Offensively we have to sustain and finish drives." BG leads the series 17-9.
Hersey (0-1) at Fremd (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Hale Hildebrandt Field
Last week: Hersey lost to St. Viator 14-0; Fremd d. Lake Zurich 10-7
Outlook: All of the ingredients for success were there for Fremd as it won its 13th opener in its last 15 tries. Evan Wright rushed for 169 yards on 44 carries, junior QB Richard Concialdi had a solid first start of 10-for-19 for 150 yards and most important - 4 turnovers with an Eric Shew interception and fumble recoveries by John Josif, Mike Sahli and Justin Wallace, who also blocked a tying field goal. "That (turnovers) was one of our points of emphasis," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "We really spent a lot of time on special teams and it paid off." And the battle upfront on both sides went to Fremd and included 5 tackles from Christian Lombard. "We haven't done that as consistently as we did last Friday in awhile," Donatucci said. That will be the big challenge for Hersey, which got solid opening efforts defensively from Jake Knauss, Fred Scales, Jason Olson, Grant Reed and Tyler Beaulieu. "There were a lot of fundamental positive signs and that's where the real improvement comes from," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "It's evident our skills are much improved and now we have to have guys step up and make the big play." Fremd's 48-14 win last year was its seventh in eight tries to take a 17-16-1 series lead.
Wheeling (1-0) at Hoffman Estates (0-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Dennis Garber Stadium
Last week: Wheeling d. Maine West 27-13; Hoffman lost to Bartlett 47-0
Outlook: Each team will be missing a key offensive weapon as Wheeling RB Weston Ross (sprained foot) is expected to be out up to four weeks and Hoffman QB David Gutierrez (broken foot) won't be back until Week 3 or 4. But Wheeling sophomore QB Tyler Brady had a nice debut (9-for-13, 118 yards, 2 TDs) behind solid line play to lead a comeback from a 10-0 deficit. "He showed a lot of maturity," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar. "He had to (grow up fast) and the took care of business and took care of the ball." Dunbar also knows Hoffman's opener was deceptive since it was against last year's 8A runner-up with senior QB Bryan Proskey making his first varsity start. "I don't think the score was indicative of what we did and I think the kids learned the value of taking care of the ball," Hoffman coach Bill Helzer said of 3 lost fumbles. "Wheeling has it's own challenges with the 3-5-3 defense and the (option) offense they run and they thumped us last year (39-3)." That gave Wheeling a 7-6 edge in the series.
NONCONFERENCE
Dunbar (0-1) at St. Viator (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Forest View
Last week: Dunbar lost to Plainfield North 20-14; St. Viator d. Hersey 14-0
Outlook: St. Viator will be looking to get untracked offensively after it was held to 184 yards and one offensive TD last week. "Hersey played a heck of a defense and we made a lot of mistakes," said Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick. "We have to clean some things up offensively but in the first game your defense is supposed to carry you and they did a great job. We moved the ball but we just weren't consistent." Helping make a difference defensively was the return of senior LBs Will Tumberger (back) and Kevin Gannon (concentrate on baseball) after missing last year. Dunbar, which lost 40-8 to Viator in the opener of the 2006 6A playoffs, gave up 329 yards rushing last week and is led by sophomores Darvell Harris at QB and Travon Harris at WR and junior LB Omar Collins.
Maine West (0-1) at Round Lake (0-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Last week: Maine West lost to Wheeling 27-13; Round Lake lost to Westosha Central (Wis.) 24-0
Outlook: Maine West got off to an excellent start with a 10-0 first-quarter lead but was outscored 14-0 in the second half last week. Ron Gajewski threw for 204 yards and Charlie Vana and Calvin Williams combined to rush for 101 yards but the Warriors were hurt by 3 turnovers. They hope to bounce back against a Round Lake team they beat 35-6 last year and is in the midst of a 17-game losing streak.
WEST SUBURBAN CROSSOVER
Leyden (1-0) at Proviso West (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. today
Last week: Leyden d. Fenton 28-0; Proviso West d. Stagg 16-9
Outlook: Defensive ends Jeff Cascella and Dan Kiebler fueled last week's shutout and could be part of Leyden's best defense against 6-4 Kyle Prater, who committed to USC on Wednesday and had 60 catches for nearly 1,000 yards and 9 TDs last year. "He goes up over guys like he should be at USC," said Leyden coach Tom Cerasani. "We'll try to take Prater away by getting some pressure on the quarterback and making them beat us with other guys." The Panthers do have another threat in WR Julius Shelby. Leyden relied heavily on RB Angel Maldonado (188 yards) last week and rolled in the second half despite 8 holding penalties. "We need to get that shored up - and we'll open up a little more of the passing game this week (with QB David Rose)," Cerasani said. "But we're still going to run the ball."
NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC
Hope Academy (1-0, 1-0) at Christian Liberty (0-1, 0-1)
When: 4:30 p.m. today
Last week: Hope Academy d. Kirkland-Hiawatha 20-14 (OT); Christian Liberty lost to Alden-Hebron 63-0
Outlook: Christian Liberty is glad freshman Dan Glad now has a game of varsity experience at QB as he was thrust into the spot late last week when Nathan Elleson injured his Achilles. Glad will start again this week after rushing for 16 yards and passing for 14. "He's going to be all right and I think everyone will be a little surprised," said CLA coach Jim Kaulkins. "He has a good knowledge of the game and he can run and throw pretty good. We have a lot of confidence in him." Fumbles hurt the Chargers' offense last week against a perennial playoff qualifier and this week they get another playoff team in Hope Academy from Chicago, which was 8-2 last year and won its opener on an 8-yard run by senior Edward Daniels (77 yards). Senior FB-MLB Adrian Hurst and two-way linemen Deautre Lewis and Brandon Hurd are also vital to the double-wing as Hope only attempted 5 passes last week. "We're a run-oriented, defensive-oriented team," said Hope assistant Tom Mollenkamp. "We graduated a lot of depth but athletically we're pretty solid where it's important and we expect to be back in the playoffs."