Scouting Week 5 football games in the Northwest suburbs
Prospect (4-0, 4-0) at Buffalo Grove (4-0, 4-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Prospect beat Rolling Meadows 48-14; Buffalo Grove beat Hersey 22-10
2019: Prospect 51, Buffalo Grove 34
Livestreaming: https://vimeo.com/bgnetwork
Outlook: The game of the year in the Mid-Suburban East. The winner will play for the MSL Championship against Barrington. It should be quite an offensive show with Prospect averaging nearly 46 points per game and Buffalo Grove 33.5. Quarterback play for both teams has been impressive all season with Prospect's Alex "Gary" Moeller, who just committed to a PWO at Wisconsin and Buffalo Grove's Ian Luyando. Prospect's Luke Zardzin had 4 touchdowns last week and ran for 152 yards. Buffalo Grove leans on Cornell commit Ayden Anderson, who has scored 4 touchdowns in the last two games.
Rolling Meadows (1-3, 1-3) at Wheeling (0-4, 0-4)When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Rolling Meadows lost to Prospect 48-14; Wheeling lost to Elk Grove 47-15
2019: Rolling Meadows 63, Wheeling 14
Livestreaming: https://vimeo.com/wcatlive/videos
Outlook: Both teams found themselves on the very short end last week and look to bounce back. Rolling Meadows needs a win to give the Mustangs an opportunity at a .500 season. They have not finished a season at or below that mark since 2010. Meadows will look to QB Michael Radon to get the Mustang offense back on track. The good news for Wheeling is that the Wildcats got their running game going in the right direction. Simon Micula and Mike Myrdacz gave Wheeling some depth to go with quarterback Solomon Hudson, who rushed for 93 yards last week.
Elk Grove (1-3, 1-3) at Hersey (2-2, 2-2)When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Elk Grove beat Wheeling 47-15; Hersey lost to Buffalo Grove 22-10
2019: Hersey 56, Elk Grove 21
Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbemVpBp7J3bYVVRBKYGRfw
Outlook: Elk Grove picked up its first win of the season last week. The Grens' Ian Ridge continues his rushing prowess. He has 857 yards to lead the area in rushing yards. The Grens' Joe Gaskill keeps defenses honest, throwing for 93 yards and a touchdown last week. Hersey struggled to get into the end zone last week, something it will look to change. Jimmy Makuh continues to shine at quarterback for the Huskies. The junior has his favorite targets in Ben Clawson and Ben Randall, who combined for 13 receptions for 137 yards last week.
Conant (1-3, 1-3) at Fremd (2-2, 2-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Conant beat Schaumburg 27-14; Fremd lost to Barrington 35-21
2019: Fremd 20, Conant 12
Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaaLgk2Kk9oFkp_QUiXMG-g
Outlook: After losing 7 consecutive games dating back to last season, Conant got back on the winning on track. Harvard-bound Malik Frederick was back in the lineup and piled up 176 yards and 4 touchdowns. In order for Frederick to run that way against Fremd, Conant will need to handle the Vikings' 6-foot-4, 297- pound Jack Walsh along with linebackers Jason Haas, Chris Skaria and Trey Castella. Fremd will also need to guard against Conant quarterback Joey Dugo, who will be running the option. Fremd will also have to figure out how to score now that staring quarterback Ryan Saxe and running back Joey Rattin are out for the season with injuries.
Hoffman Estates (2-2, 2-2) at Barrington (4-0, 4-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Hoffman Estates lost to Palatine 42-0; Barrington beat Fremd 35-21
2019: Barrington 28, Hoffman Estates 0
Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNQcCdl9rdKP_UrPRzU5ubQ
Outlook: For the second consecutive year, Hoffman Estates was shut out by Palatine. Hoffman, which struggled offensively last week, throwing for 101 yards, may have the same issues this week with a stout Barrington defense. Barrington has already clinched the MSL West, but the Broncos would like to roll into the next week's MSL title game unbeaten. It took a half last week, but Barrington got its offense into stampede-mode with quarterback Peter Anderson leading the way. Running back Bryan Smith has been running well the past two games for the Broncos.
Schaumburg (0-4, 0-4) at Palatine (3-1, 3-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Schaumburg lost to Conant 27-14; Palatine beat Hoffman Estates 42-0
2019: Palatine 22, Schaumburg 9
Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt_4IA7jiClNd2DWcN1e2iA
Outlook: Schaumburg got things going early offensively last week. But the Saxons could not sustain them and remained winless. They are hoping to turn things around against a Palatine defense that recorded its first shutout of the season. Led by Peter Russchenberger and Josh Brown, the Pirate defense was superb. Palatine has its offense flying high right now. Jake Bostick continues to be nearly unstoppable while he gets help from Ronald Todd, Alex Clue and Marcus Palmer. Palatine has also managed to rotate quarterbacks with Eric Pecson, who is a senior, and sophomore Grant Dershna.
New Trier (4-0, 4-0) at Maine South (4-0, 4-0) When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: New Trier beat Glenbrook North 15-6; Maine South beat Glenbrook South 17-7
2019: Maine South 44, New Trier 7
Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=maine+south+athletics
Outlook: It's showdown time in the Central Suburban South and it could not come at a worse time for Maine South. Quarterback Luke Leogas, who was injured last season, injured the same leg in last week's win. The Hawks' offensive line of Ben Romo, Art Hoelscher, Brendan Brosnan, Jack Christopoulos, Kris Geier and Matt Asson will get the job of protecting Rowan Keefe. A 6-foot-3 junior, Keefe rallied the Hawks in the final quarter last week to remain unbeaten. New Trier has knocked off Maine South just one time in their last 20 meetings. "This is a very big game as there is not much to the rest of the season," Maine South coach Dave Inserra said. "The CSL championship is really the only thing we have as no one will play us in Week 6."
Leyden (1-3, 1-2) at Downers Grove South (3-1, 3-1)When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Leyden beat Addison Trail 21-14; Downers Grove South beat Morton 42-21
2019: Downers Grove South 20, Leyden 3
Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgYcdoB3uBynJ2WO7fc6MHQ
Outlook: Leyden had its best offensive game of the season last week which enabled the Eagles to pick up their first win of the season. The Eagles put up a season-best 287 yards of offense. They were led by trio of offensive stars. Quarterback Leo Latiker, who threw for 165 yards and a touchdown, Elijah Diblich ran for 74 yards and a touchdown and Jacob DeJesus ran for a pair of touchdowns. Downers Grove South's only loss has been to Hinsdale South.
Maine East (0-4, 0-4) at Vernon Hills (3-0, 3-0) When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Maine East lost to Niles North 33-3; Vernon Hills beat Westinghouse 12-6
2019: Vernon Hills 49, Maine East 0
Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBdqGdS3oXSgtEbAQiQgBhA
Outlook: It continues to be a difficult season for Maine East. The Demons struggled again last week a good Niles North team. It doesn't look to be much better this week as they face a Vernon Hills team that leads the CSL North. One of the few bright spots for Maine East has been the play of 6-foot-8, 315-pound junior OT Yaser Al-Awadi. The Cougars had their game against Maine West canceled due to COVID protocols. Vernon Hills then went out and struggled against Westinghouse from the Chicago Public League, but the Cougars did grab a win.
St. Viator (3-0) at Mount Carmel (3-1)When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: St. Viator beat Brooks 56-14; Mt. Carmel beat De La Salle 35-12
2019: DNP
Livestreaming: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/mount-carmel-high-school-chicago-chicago-il/gam9fa495d851
Outlook: This is the game that St. Viator had circled when the schedules were released back in February. With 28 seniors returning this season and a 3-0 record this far, the Lions feel they are ready to next step. Viator has been playing great this year, albeit against sub-. 500 teams. Now it's time to see if they can navigate well in their journey at Dante and 64th. Mount Carmel is one of the preeminent football programs in the state. Its only loss this year came against Loyola.