Scouting Week 3, Northwest

Week 3 is the beginning of two weeks worth of Mid-Suburban League versus the Central Suburban League. This format was designed to match schools with nearly the same attendance as well as success the past couple of years. In the two years of this format, the MSL leads the series 32-16. I will be at Maine South on Friday to see the Hawks play Barrington. Read all about these games and all our other teams online at football.dailyherald.com or in Saturday's Daily Herald.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICJoliet Catholic (1-1, 0-0) vs. St. Viator (0-1, 0-0) at Robert Morris U.When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: St. Viator is opening league play, and the Lions are hoping to turn their fortunes around against Joliet Catholic, a school that St. Viator has never beaten in 25 attempts. St. Viator struggled offensively last week in its loss at Lodi, Wis. The Lions, who looked good offensively in their opener against Prospect, do have a solid running game in Elijah Black and a huge offensive line that is anchored by sophomore Jeremiah Pittman. JCA is coming off a shellacking by IC Catholic after knocking off St. Rita in their opener.

WEST SUBURBAN GOLDLeyden (0-2, 0-0) at Willowbrook (2-0, 0-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Willowbrook 20, Leyden 13

Outlook: Leyden is not off to the kind of start it was looking for and now has to face a Willowbrook team that is not only the defending conference champion, but also a squad that had an impressive win over Hinsdale Central last week. Leyden was blanked 14-0 to Downers Grove North last week and the Eagles mustered just 76 yards on the ground. They hope to get their offense back in gear against a Willowbrook team that has surrendered only 17 points.

NONCONFERENCEElk Grove (0-2) at Maine West (2-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: At one time, this was the traditional opener for the neighboring teams. They have a chance to reacquaint themselves thanks to the MSL-CSL crossovers. Maine West has been outstanding in its first 2 games. The Warriors, led by Jake Bellizzi and Danny Kentgen (7 TD passes), have racked up 106 points thus far and have allowed just 2 TDs. After nearly posting a win in their opener, Elk Grove had a poor second half and took a step back in its loss to Conant last week. The Grens, who are still young, continue to look to improve.

Buffalo Grove (1-1) at Deerfield (1-1)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: It was a rough game for the Bison last week, as they lost Tom Trieb to a hip injury early in the game against Barrington and never recovered. Trieb is questionable for this week, and Buffalo Grove will need to lean heavily on its seniors to step up their play and bounce back. Quarterback Connor Adams, who has thrown for 244 yards, will be looking to take pressure off a rushing attack that gained just 74 yards last week. Deerfield is coming off a 1-point last week over Grayslake North.

Prospect (1-1) at Niles North (1-1)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: After an impressive Week 1 win, Prospect took a step in the other direction last week in the Knights' loss to Hoffman Estates. Prospect's speedy offense never got on track until late in the game and managed just 20 yards rushing. The good news was that quarterback Jimmy Martin, who threw for just 94 yards in his team's opener, more than doubled that to 172 yards last week. Niles North is coming off a 42-6 thrashing to Marian Central last week after beating Chicago Public League's Raby in Week 1.

Rolling Meadows (2-0) at Highland Park (2-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: Both teams have been extremely impressive in their victories. Rolling Meadows' offense is operating in high gear, with the Mustangs rambling to 99 points and 835 yards in two games. Tim Szylak has rushed for 342 yards and 6 touchdowns while Asher O'Hara has 225 yards and 2 TDs rushing. Quarterback Arek Kleniuk is 22-of-26 for 221 yards and 2 TDs. Highland Park has tallied 70 points in wins over Libertyville and Lakes.

Wheeling (0-2) at Maine East (0-2)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: It has been a slow and meticulous start for Wheeling this season. The Wildcats can change all that with a win at Maine East. Wheeling is coming off a tough loss to Schaumburg. Michael Best and Ryan Glassberg continue to do yeoman's work in running the football. Maine East has allowed 92 points in their 2 losses this year and has lost 10 games in row dating back to last season.

Conant (2-0) at Evanston (2-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: Conant has already doubled its win total from last season, and the Cougars are hungry for more. They have been able to get to those wins by playing well in the latter part of their games, a difficulty for them last season. The defense, led Joey Carrell, Fil Defrenza and Anthony Wachal, has allowed just 10 points so far. Conant will get a tough test in trying to make it 3 in a row with Evanston, which has won its first two games by a combined 30 points.

Hoffman Estates (2-0) at Glenbrook North (2-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: The Hawks are picking up where they left off from last year - that is, by winning. Hoffman Estates is looking to go for 3 wins in a row for a third consecutive start of season. Hoffman turned it all on last week against Prospect in a 24-6 win. The combination of QB Kyle Krogstad (25-for-48, 376 yards, 5 TDs) to Malik Whitehead (15 receptions, 220 yards, 3 TDs) has been deadly. Glenbrook North has racked up 72 points in wins over Wheeling and Grant.

Barrington (2-0) at Maine South (2-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: This is one of the state's best games. The programs haven't met since the state playoffs two years ago in a game won by Maine South. Both teams have had tough opponents in their first two games and came away winners. Barrington is on the road for the third consecutive week after wins at Warren and Buffalo Grove. Maine South's tests have been a bit tougher, with wins over traditional state powers Glenbard West and Mt. Carmel. The Barrington offense has been better than expected thanks to the play of junior quarterback Tommy Fitzpatrick, who has thrown for 252 yards and rushed for another 138. What has been even more impressive has been the play of the Barrington defense led by Mark Di Iorio and Dayven Shinhoster. The Broncos have allowed just 14 points this season.

Palatine (0-2) at Glenbrook South (0-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: Both teams have had disappointing starts to the season, with both suffering losses to Rolling Meadows. Palatine lost last week 56-28 while Glenbrook South was a Week 1 loser 43-7. Palatine should be buoyed by the fact that the Pirates were able to put solid numbers on the board against a tough Meadows defense. Joe Ayala stepped in late at QB for Palatine and sparked the Pirates with a long TD pass to Luka Popovic.

Fremd (0-2) at New Trier (1-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: After busing all summer and early this season for practice, Fremd will ready for the long trip to New Trier. Fremd needs a win in the worst way. The Vikings had one slip through their fingers last week against Hersey as the heat and humidity of the Saturday afternoon game took its toll on the lack of Fremd's depth. New Trier, whose athletic director is former Fremd AD Augie Fontanetta, is coming off a 41-3 pasting by neighboring rival Loyola.

Schaumburg (1-1) at Niles West (0-2)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: Schaumburg, which is playing its third consecutive road game, is rolling into form quite nicely as the Saxons look to devour the Wolves. Heze Trotter is showing why many felt he could be the dominant offensive force in the MSL West. The senior had 3 TDs last week on a pair of TD receptions and an electrifying punt return. The Saxon defense, which has forced 4 turnovers in the first two games, will look to handcuff a Niles West offense that has just 2 touchdowns this season.

Hersey (2-0) at Vernon Hills (2-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year's result: Did not play

Outlook: Both teams are unbeaten and playing better football than expected at this tenure. Hersey, which has been on the road for their first two games, has been the recipient of some terrific play from quarterback Ryan Justice, who threw for 206 yards last week and a group of wide receivers including Kacper Rutkiewicz, who is coming off a 10-reception game. The Huskies defense has been stout thanks to the play of Nick Steiger. The Hersey secondary will be tested by Vernon Hills, which likes to go 5-wide. The Cougars have had nice wins over Grayslake Central and Waukegan are led by quarterback Derek Jarrell, who has thrown for 596 yards.