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Scouting this weekend's football games in the Northwest suburbs

Wheeling (0-1) at Hersey (1-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Wheeling lost to Prospect 37-14; Hersey beat Rolling Meadows 40-23

2019: Hersey 78, Wheeling 20

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbemVpBp7J3bYVVRBKYGRfw

Outlook: Wheeling is coming off a very good performance from quarterback Solomon Hudson, who was 14-of-21 for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Wildcat defense performed better than it did in any game in 2019. Wheeling will still be looking more improvement on that side of the ball. It will need to find a way to slow down Hersey's Ben Clawson. The junior scored 5 touchdowns and accounted for 326 yards of total offense to lead Hersey. Jimmy Makuh was impressive in his varsity start at quarterback going 21-of-28 for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Hersey defense also looked very good, with solid halftime adjustments.

Rolling Meadows (0-1) at Buffalo Grove (1-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Rolling Meadows lost to Hersey 40-23; Buffalo Grove beat Elk Grove 48-19

2019: Rolling Meadows 49, Buffalo Grove 17

Livestreaming: https://vimeo.com/bgnetwork

Outlook: For the first time since the 2018 season, Rolling Meadows finds itself with a loss during the regular season. The Mustangs will be looking to turn things around and earn new Meadows coach Sam Baker his first win. Daniel Sobkowicz, who is coming off a 7-catch, 177-yard performance, showed why he is one of the best athletes in the area. He scored a pair of touchdowns on short passes. One of the best surprises in the area was the play of Buffalo Grove quarterback Ian Luyando. The senior, who moved to Buffalo Grove from Mexico in 2018, had an impressive U.S. debut, throwing for 225 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Elk Grove (0-1) at Prospect (1-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Elk Grove lost to Buffalo Grove 48-19; Prospect beat Wheeling 37-14

2019: Prospect 42, Elk Grove 7

Livestreaming: https://vimeo.com/523859230

Outlook: Two of the top running backs in the MSL East will be featured here. Ian Ridge came out of he shoots like a bull for Elk Grove. The senior, who is coming off a terrific 2019 season, picked up where he left off with a 192-yard, 2-touchdown performance last week. Prospect's Luke Zardzin also had a huge effort with 121 yards and 3 touchdowns. Prospect also looks to Gary Moeller to keep the defense honest. Moeller threw for 163 yards and 2 TDs last week.

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

Last week: Schaumburg lost to Barrington 34-6; Fremd beat Hoffman Estates 35-26

2019: Fremd 28, Schaumburg 0

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaaLgk2Kk9oFkp_QUiXMG-g

Outlook: With eight new linemen on both sides of the ball, there was a baptism by fire for Schaumburg last week. The group progressed nicely and helped the Saxons score on their final series making some plays for running back Mike DiGioia and quarterback Luke Jessie. The Saxon linemen will have their hands full with Jack Walsh and Will Kriston. They will also face a seasoned Fremd defense and linebacking corps of Jason Haas, Trey Castella and Chris Skaria. Joey Rattin, who had solid play at safety, was even more impressive running the ball for the Vikings with 110 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Saxe continues to be a dual threat at quarterback, throwing for a touchdown and running for two others.

Hoffman Estates (0-1) at Conant (0-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Hoffman Estates lost to Fremd 35-26

2019: Conant 31, Hoffman Estates 6

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSAuvFn21t8n2JSmiC8foQA

Outlook: The Hoffman "Mayor's Cup" is at stake here. Hoffman Estates put together a nice effort last week in its loss to Fremd. The Hawks were able to move the ball thanks to their tandem quarterbacks Jessie Williams, who was 7-of-13 for 95 yards, and Joey Ayala, who was 8-of-15 for 63 yards while running for another 61 yards. They could give Conant fits after the Cougars had a tough opener against Palatine, allowing 40 first-half points. The Cougars will also look to rebound on offense, where they had just 2 yards in the first half. Harvard-recruit Malik Frederickson will look to improve on his 85 yards rushing last week.

Palatine (1-0) at Barrington (1-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Palatine beat Conant 48-8, Barrington beat Schaumburg 34-6

2019: Barrington 24, Palatine 7

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNQcCdl9rdKP_UrPRzU5ubQ

Outlook: Both teams were impressive in their openers. Palatine's defense, led by Rand Paddack, Tyler Pecson and Peter Russchenberger, limited Conant's rushing attack to just 2 yards in the first half while the Pirates' offense racked up 40 points by the break. The Pirates' Jacob Bostik showed why he is on the radar of many Division-I programs, catching 7 passes for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns. Peter Anderson and the Barrington offense will look to break through against Palatine. Anderson, making his first varsity start, was 15-of-26 for 210 yards and a touchdown. Barrington has showed it has defensive chops. With Evan Roper, Owen Powell, Matt Kolder, Jackson Gehrisch, Justice Cromwell and Phil Chapa leading the way, the Broncos limited Schaumburg to just 5 first downs until the final drive of the game.

Niles North (0-0) vs. Maine West (0-1) at Maine SouthWhen: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Niles North DNP; Maine West lost to Deerfield 35-6

2019: Maine West 49, Niles North 20

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBdqGdS3oXSgtEbAQiQgBhA

Outlook: It was big plays that doomed Maine West in its opener last week against Deerfield. Now the Warriors will look to rebound and give George Klupchak his first win as a head coach for Maine West. Connor McAndrews made his first start at quarterback last week and went 11-of-27 for 167 yards and a touchdown. Kamrin Hutt also looked solid with a couple of nice pass catches, including a touchdown. He also was impressive running the ball out of the Wildcat. Niles North had its game last week with Vernon Hills canceled due to COVID protocols.

Marian Centra (1-0) vs. St. Viator (1-0)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Forest View Stadium

Last week: Marian Central beat Marian Catholic 27-14; St. Viator beat Chicago Hope 41-14

2019: St. Viator 28, Marian Catholic 21

Livestreaming: https://www.saintviator.com/student-life/athletics/streaming-schedule?pending=true&cached=false

Outlook: Viator got off to a great start last week and the Lions are looking to keep things rolling. Their offense was clicking with PJ Scales and Joe Laterza catching touchdown passes from Jack Ziebka, who completed 9 passes for 164 yards. The Lions' defense, led by Iowa-bound Jeremiah Pittman, was stout and was credited with 51 yards of minus rushing yards. He should have a great battle with Marian Central offensive lineman Luke Dalton, who has three D-I offers from MAC schools.

Maine South (1-0) at Evanston (1-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Maine South beat Niles West 49-6; Evanston beat Glenbrook North 48-6

2019: Maine South 41, Evanston 0

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC28JZfptbQ

Outlook: Quarterback Luke Leongas looked fully recovered from his ACL injury and that could be bad news to the rest of the CSL South. Leongas was 12-of-15 for 252 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also ran for another 31 yards and a touchdown in just over a half of football. The Hawks will need another good effort from their defense which is led by Teddy Gianaris, Cole Cichowski, Ben Christopoulos, Manny Spandiary and Luke Kracik to shut down the speedy Evanston offense.

Hinsdale Central (1-1) at Leyden (0-1)When: Friday, 6 p.m.

Last week: Hinsdale Central beat Oak Park 42-7; Leyden lost to Willowbrook 40-0

2019: DNP

Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOWxqgdAwEQRunHCBjJ8w9w

Outlook: Leyden drew a tough opponent in its opener and the Eagles are hoping to find their wings against a tough Hinsdale Central team. Leyden quarterback Leo Latiker will look again for Elijah Diblich, who had 4 catches last week.

Maine East (0-1) at Deerfield (1-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Deerfield beat Maine West 35-6; Maine East lost to Highland Park 58-7

2019: Deerfield 47, Maine East 15

Livestreaming: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/deerfield-high-school-deerfield-il

Outlook: This game was originally scheduled to be a home game for Maine East. But since Maine East has grass instead of a turf field, it was moved to Deerfield. It will be a tough task for Maine East, which struggled on both sides of the ball last week. Deerfield came up with big plays last week against Maine West to earn the victory.

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