Week 9, Mid-Suburban: East drama, wide open West

MID-SUBURBAN EASTHersey (4-4, 3-1) at Rolling Meadows (5-3, 3-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Hersey 48, Rolling Meadows 6

Outlook: Both teams come in looking for a win to continue their season into the state playoffs. With a win and a Wheeling loss, Hersey would capture the East title outright for the second consecutive year. But if the Huskies fall, they will miss the playoffs for the first time in three years. Hersey will need to recover from their loss last week to Wheeling. And in order to do that, the Huskies must find a way to limit Rolling Meadows quarterback Asher O'Hara, who has thrown 14 TD passes with just 2 interceptions. Kevin Lacosse has also been very steady for the Mustangs, rushing for 782 yards. A win and Rolling Meadows is the East champion, with a fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs and 12th in the last 13 years. But a loss drops them to 5-4 for the season and they enter the game with just 29 playoff points, which would put them on the bubble for a state playoff bid.

Elk Grove (2-6, 2-2) at Wheeling (3-5, 3-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Wheeling 14, Elk Grove 9

Outlook: Wheeling is the epitome of the quote: "It is not over until it is really over." The Wildcats have taken that to heart. After losing their first five games, Wheeling has won its next three. With that, the Wildcats are still eligible to win the East and earn a playoff bid. To do that, they need to make it 4 wins in a row against an improving Elk Grove team. The Wildcats also need Hersey to beat Rolling Meadows, which would give the Wildcats the East title and the automatic playoff bid that comes with it. Wheeling has done it on defense the past three weeks. They had allowed 46.4 points per game in their first 5 games. In their last 3 games, they have allowed an average of just under 18 points per game. The Wildcats face an Elk Grove team that has found its offensive chops. The Grens are coming off of a 47-point performance last week in a win over Prospect, where they rushed for 371 yards behind Chuck Fleming and Azeez Alabi.

Prospect (2-6, 1-3) at Buffalo Grove (1-7, 0-4)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Prospect 24, Buffalo Grove 14

Outlook: This is the only game in the MSL that does not have playoff implications. Both teams had high expectations heading into the season, but both have struggled. Prospect figured to contend for the East title, but the Knights just could not get over the hump. Still, Bobby Jarosz could end up as the area's rushing leader. Buffalo Grove just missed qualify for the playoffs in 2014, and after as eason-opening season victory, the Bison figured they were headed there this season. But a defense that has allowed nearly 43 points per game was too much to handle for BG and quarterback Trey Cervantes, who has thrown for 1,882 yards and 16 touchdowns this year.

MID-SUBURBAN WESTHoffman Estates (4-4, 2-2) at Barrington (7-1, 3-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Barrington 55, Hoffman Estates 14

Outlook: Despite not being officially in the playoffs, it is really playoff time for Hoffman Estates. At the brink of elimination the last two weeks, the Hawks have staved off the executioner by coming away with a pair of 1-point wins. Now the biggest test comes for them when they face Barrington, a team Hoffman has not defeated in 14 years. The Hawks have flown high on offense all season thanks to the running of Chady Bitre, who has rushed for 951 yards this year. Hoffman also has been buoyed by the return of Dante Cleveland, whose play at defensive end has helped slow opponents. Hoffman will need all of that with Barrington coming off a number of school record offensive performances. Johnny Davidson set a school mark with his 417 passing yards and tied the mark with 5 TD passes. Wide receiver Jake Zyzda set records with his 256 yards and 4 TD receptions. Barrington's offense has averaged 41 points per game and has been held under 30 points just once this year.

Conant (6-2, 2-2) at Palatine (6-2, 3-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Palatine 19, Conant 14

Outlook: With a victory, Palatine can claim its fourth West title in the last 5 years. The Pirates have got here thanks to good old-fashioned hard work, mixed in with some talented juniors and seniors that have meshed together quite nicely. Zach Oles, who is a junior, has developed into one of the area's top players, throwing for 1,435 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 655 yards and running for 9 more TDs. His favorite targets are seniors are Jovone Stricker, who has 37 receptions, and Matt Lamm, who has 34. They will be matched up against Conant DB/WR Palmer Graham, who is explosive on both sides of the ball. The Cougars, who stumbled last week against Hoffman Estates by 1 point, can get a share of the West title with a victory here if Hoffman wins at Barrington. Conant is averaging 35 points thanks to a couple of firsts. Running back Jake Jakubosky leads the area in rushing with 1,041 yards while quarterback Kyle Bradley is the area's top passer with 1,891 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Schaumburg (4-4, 1-3) at Fremd (5-3, 2-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Fremd 37, Schaumburg 7

Outlook: It is win or go home for Schaumburg, which gave Palatine all it could handle last week before falling 14-7. Schaumburg was supposed to a year away from being able to think playoffs. But the young Saxons have overcome their lack of experience and have improved throughout the season. Emanuel Little has been terrific at running back, rushing for 917 yards, while quarterback Justin Perez has guided the offense quite well, throwing for 1,146 yards, the most by a Schaumburg quarterback in recent years. Fremd comes into the game secure with the knowledge that they have a secured a playoff berth thanks to their 5 wins and 35 points heading into Friday's game. But after losing 3 of their last 4, including a one-sided loss to Barrington last week, the Vikings want to right the ship. Charlie Kaye continues to be a beast at running back, rushing for 724 yards so far, and quarterback Tommy Josten has thrown for 1,008 yards. Kenny Lyke, who has been slowed by an injury, should be close to 100 percent this week and that should help Fremd on both sides of the ball.