Scouting Cook County football games for Week 9
MID-SUBURBAN EAST
Rolling Meadows (4-4, 2-2) at Buffalo Grove (3-5, 1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Last week: Meadows d. Hersey 39-14; BG lost to Elk Grove 14-13
Outlook: Win a third straight and get in the playoffs for the sixth straight year for Meadows. The Mustangs jumped out to a 14-0 lead last week and didn't look back as Jimmy Garoppolo (895 yards passing, 6 TDs; 486 rushing, 5 TDs) ran for a pair of scores and threw for another. Meadows also cut its penalties last week and hopes to continue what has been a staple for most of this season. "We're one team that consistently has played good defense," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps. The Mustangs will have challenges with QB J.P. Kulick (1,308 yards, 10 TDs) and WR Mike Cornely (31 catches, 553 yards, 7 TDs) as BG looks to play spoiler and go out on a good note. But the Meadows players back from last year won't forget how their playoff position was hurt by a 12-10 upset to BG that extended the Bison series lead to 13-6.
Prospect (6-2, 4-0) at Elk Grove (2-6, 1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Robert Haskell Stadium
Last week: Prospect d. Wheeling 45-28; Elk Grove d. Buffalo Grove 14-13
Outlook: Elk Grove is the last obstacle between Prospect and its fifth perfect MSL East finish since 2001. Junior QB Miles Osei has a chance to achieve a feat of passing (1,711 yards, 17 TDs) and rushing (886, 13 TDs) for more than 1,000 yards in a season but will be tested by Elk Grove LB Jake Meyer (16 tackles, 2 tackles for losses last week), DE Andy Mack (9 tackles, 3 tackles for losses), DB Chris Perez (2 INTs) and Charlie Ostman. Rich Szaflarski also stepped in and made an impact at DE when Chris Kirkpatrick got hurt. "Elk Grove has gotten a lot better the last four weeks," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman. "Sometimes you look at a 2-6 team and they're not doing much the right way, but these guys are a click away everywhere." And the Grens and sophomore QB Nick Meyer would love to make this the time where everything clicks. "It's the ultimate test and ultimate challenge for us," said Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen. "This is our state championship game because there isn't a next week for us." Prospect has won three straight and seven of eight in a series Elk Grove leads 22-17.
Hersey (1-7, 1-3) at Wheeling (5-3, 3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Last week: Hersey lost to Meadows 39-14; Wheeling lost to Prospect 45-28
Outlook: A win and Wheeling knows it's in the playoffs for the second straight year in school history. A loss and it will have to sweat through Saturday to see if it makes the 256-team field. And after facing Prospect's Miles Osei last week, the Wildcats' defense has another tough task in Hersey junior QB Steve Nelson (1,135 yards passing, 6 TDs; 676 rushing, 10 TDs). "Nelson's got speed too, man," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar. "They're not afraid to give him the ball and if you give him a seam he's going to break them, too." The play of QB Matt Holmes (894 passing, 11 TDs; 477 rushing, 10 TDs) and WR James Kurtz (37 catches, 552 yards, 7 TDs) kept the Wildcats in striking distance after falling behind 21-0 last week. Hersey hopes to have RB Chris Polinski back from a sprained foot and would like to get a big win to build for next year. "The kids keep coming back and loving it and wanting more," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "That part I've been really proud of. They keep fighting and keep going and keep learning. It's a matter of putting it all together." Wheeling has won the last two in a series Hersey leads 25-15.
MID-SUBURBAN WEST
Schaumburg (5-3, 2-2) at Palatine (6-2, 3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Chic Anderson Stadium
Last week: Schaumburg d. Conant 31-21; Palatine d. Hoffman Estates 19-6
Outlook: If the weather permits it could be quite a show between two of the top offenses in the MSL with Palatine averaging 34.9 points a game and Schaumburg 34.1. "It should be an entertaining game," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly with a laugh. "It might be 55-54." Palatine looks to rebound from committing 5 turnovers last week and wrap up at least a share of its first MSL division title since 1997 and 10th in its history with QB Matt Rossi (1,912 yards, 15 TDs) trying to become the fourth 2,000-yard passer in a season in school history. "Our effort was great but our mental focus was terrible (last week)," said Donnelly, whose team will have RB-DB Jack Hansen fully healthy and ready. Schaumburg has three of the top offensive threats around in QB Anthony Iannotti (1,876 yards, 19 TDs), RB Shepard Little (1,117 yards, 13 TDs) and WR Josh Spandiary (58 catches, 662 yards, 9 TDs). But most encouraging for the playoff-bound Saxons was the other side of the ball where LB Jordan Hailey had 19 tackles. "We need that kind of synergy," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. "We still feel like we can score any time we get it, but if we're not getting some stops there's some unnecessary pressure." Palatine has won two of the last three in a series it leads 12-9.
Barrington (6-2, 2-2) at Conant (4-4, 2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Feutz Field
Last week: Barrington lost to Fremd 42-41 (ot); Conant lost to Schaumburg 31-21
Outlook: Can Conant's defense with DB Ryan Amundson and LB James Coleman produce one more big effort to slow Barrington's prolific offense and secure a playoff berth? "The point totals we've given up I'm pretty proud of," Conant coach Bill Modelski said of the second-fewest in the West at 173. "We haven't really had a game where we've given up a ton of points except Palatine (34). We've got to win some battles up front and we sure didn't do that (last week)." It won't be easy this week against the bigger Broncos, who have RB Sam Ojuri (921 yards, 14 TDs) closing in on 1,000 yards and are looking to secure a first-round home playoff game. "I know our kids know they left some things on the field (against Fremd)," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "We have to do a better job of maintaining and finishing drives. I told our kids it's going to be a four-quarter fight and that's good for us." Barrington has won three straight to take an 11-10 series lead.
Hoffman Estates (2-6, 0-4) at Fremd (6-2, 3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Hale Hildebrandt Field
Last week: Hoffman lost to Palatine 19-6; Fremd d. Barrington 42-41 (ot)
Outlook: Fremd can get at least a share of its sixth straight outright or shared MSL West title and with some help an unprecedented fourth straight outright MSL division crown. And the defense fueled by Jonathan Diegel, Jeff Bobek and Ben Perna was better than the point total showed with only 230 yards allowed. "We played probably our best game against what I think is still the most explosive team in the conference," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "(Hoffman) has been playing people tough and they've moved the ball against everybody they've played with." Hoffman QB Frank Wadas (1,127 yards) and WR Mike Swedlund (40 catches, 409 yards) would love to finish their prep careers on a high note. Last week, with DB Tom Dombrowski and WR Joe Gricius out with the flu, the Hawks had 5 takeaways and 296 yards of offense but had to settle for 2 field goals in 5 red-zone trips. "Hopefully we can execute a little of our option game against them," said Hoffman coach Bill Helzer. "It would be a way to kind of salvage our season here and try to go out on top with a big win and take a final step forward." Fremd has won 11 straight in a series it leads 17-5.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
St. Viator (3-5, 1-5) at St. Joseph (2-6, 0-6)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last week: St. Viator lost to Notre Dame 12-3; St. Joseph lost to Nazareth 48-7
Outlook: St. Viator's playoff hopes ended in a tough defensive battle last week that was sealed by a Notre Dame fourth-quarter interception return for a TD. The Lions have shown signs of a bright offensive future with junior QB Julian Sipiora (1,102 yards, 9 TDs) and junior WR Richard McLoughlin (41 catches, 551 yards, 3 TDs). St. Joseph's future is also looking brighter even though it has lost six straight - but that's nothing compared to the 45-game skid it brought into this season. But some continuity under second-year coach Mark Zavagnin has led to more competitiveness with losses to Notre Dame by 7, Marian Catholic by 8 and St. Patrick 34-19. Viator has won eight straight and 34 of 37 meetings since 1968.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
Maine West (2-6, 1-3) at Deerfield (4-4, 2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. today at Paul Adams Field
Last week: Maine West lost to Highland Park 55-14; Deerfield lost to Glenbrook North 10-7
Outlook: Two tough 3-point losses have Deerfield fighting for its playoff life and probably hoping for some help with a point total in the low- to mid-30s. Maine West would love to knock out its Warriors counterparts and sustain last week's start when a pair of Frank Hess TD passes had its deficit at 21-14 in the second quarter. Deerfield has won 3 straight and 7 of 8 in a series it leads 21-11 since 1970.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
Leyden (4-4, 3-2) at Downers South (6-2, 5-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Last week: Leyden d. Addison Trail 22-15; Downers South d. Morton 48-0
Outlook: A second straight playoff trip is a daunting task for Leyden as Downers South has won six straight, has multiple threats in QB Chandler Whitmer and RB Scottie Williams and gets a boost with the return of FB D.J. Ciancio from last year. "Offensively they're very good but I don't think they're as good defensively as they were last year," said Leyden coach Tom Cerasani. "But they're still very good." As evidenced by 3 straight shutouts and four overall and 20 points allowed in its winning streak. The Mustangs will look to shut down Leyden RB Angel Maldonado, who had 266 yards and 3 TDs last week and became only the second junior in school history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark (1,091).