Week 5: Scouting the Mid-Suburban East
Hersey (1-3, 0-0) at Elk Grove (0-4, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Hersey 45, Elk Grove 35
Outlook: After coming close two weeks ago, Hersey picked up its first win of the season last week. The Huskies go for two in a row behind quarterback Owen Goldsberry, who came up with 3 TD passes last week. Goldsberry has thrown for 402 yards while rushing for another 206 yards. Elk Grove showed guts and determination by rallying from a 19-point deficit with Niles West before falling to the Wolves. The Grens had some offensive might, piling up a season-best 453 yards with quarterback Connor Cloherty and Genio Hyppolite leading the way.
Buffalo Grove (1-3, 0-0) at Prospect (2-2, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Prospect 41, Buffalo Grove 14
Outlook: It will be bounce-back time for either the Knights or the Bison. Both teams are coming off of disappointing performances with the teams featuring vastly different offensive schemes. Buffalo Grove isn't afraid to air it out with quarterback Connor Adams, who has thrown for 849 yards. But the Bison were held to minus-17 yards rushing last week and 290 for the year. Prospect makes no bones about it; the Knights like to run the ball. The Shafis brothers - Michael, who has gained 352 yards, and quarterback Andrew, who has 286 yards - are the main cogs. But the Knights have been limited in the pass game, with just 136 yards for the season.
Rolling Meadows (4-0, 0-0) at Wheeling (1-3, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Rolling Meadows 67, Wheeling 34
Outlook: Before the season began, this game had all the earmarks of a high-powered shootout, especially in light of the 101 points scored by both teams last year. Both teams struggled last week, Meadows on offense and Wheeling on defense. Despite their win last week, Meadows is coming off a disappointing offensive performance where the Mustangs' offense failed to reach the end zone and had just 100 yards of total offense. Wheeling was hoping to be riding a two-game winning streak coming into this game but fell short in the closing moments in Week 4. The game does feature last year's co-offensive players of the year in the division, Asher O'Hara of Rolling Meadows and Jalen Dennis of Wheeling.