Football: Northwest previews, Week 5

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Fremd (4-0) at Barrington (3-1)

When: 6:30 p.m. today at Tom Frederick Field

Last week: Fremd d. Buffalo Grove 27-14; Barrington d. Wheeling 36-18

Outlook: Too bad this isn't a month from now since Fremd and Barrington have finished 1-2 in the West the last two years and were part of shared titles the two years before that. "There isn't a whole bunch of extra incentive that goes into this week," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez. "It's turned into a classic rivalry between two good programs in the Northwest suburbs." Fremd has won six of the last seven -- including 14-9 and 35-6 the last years -- in a series it leads 17-13 and can become eligible for an MSL record 13th straight playoff trip with a win. LB Nick Hillard (5 tackles for loss), DE Ben Perna (10 TFL, 3 sacks), LB Kevin Krieter (6 TFL) and DL Bryan Opitz and John LaPointe lead a tough defense that will be tested by Barrington's breakaway trio of QB Cody Seeger and RBs Sam Ojuri and Terrance Terry. "If I had those three cats I'd run the ball, too," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "They have a breakaway threat with any of those three kids. But I think we can play the run as well as anybody." And the Vikings have the last two years against current Michigan State freshman Andre Anderson. Big plays have been an early staple for Barrington and Sanchez said "the key is we can't miss opportunities." The Vikings are also getting healthier up front offensively with Christian Lombard and Kevin Fallon returning and Donatucci hoping Carl Comstock is also back to go with QB Mark Tolzien, RB Mike Gyetvay and WR Michael Koeneman, whose pass-catching ability isn't hindered by a cast for a broken bone in his left thumb suffered against Prospect. Barrington's defense fueled by DE Pat Ryan and LBs Cam Good and Joey Luna has been pretty solid so far but needs to keep Fremd from continuing its 60-percent third-down conversion rate. "We've got to find ways to get off the field and find ways to manage the game field-position wise," Sanchez said.

Conant (1-3) at Palatine (2-2)

When: 6:30 p.m. today at Chic Anderson Stadium

Last week: Conant d. Hersey 34-9; Palatine d. Prospect 20-17 (ot)

Outlook: Both teams got much-needed victories last week. After heartbreaking losses to Lake Forest and Rolling Meadows, Palatine's Dan Sutton, David Eames and James Silveira led a comeback from a 14-0 halftime deficit to its biggest win in years. "It was very exciting," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "To go to their place and do that is a confidence-booster and I mean that with the utmost respect to Prospect." Now the Pirates look to do something they haven't in 12 years and their last nine tries in a series Conant leads 17-11. "We've been pounding that into their heads since we got off the bus from Prospect," said Donnelly. "We haven't hit many lulls so we'd be surprised if we didn't play better." The Pirates are also at full strength and Donnelly feels he now has seven offensive line starters for five spots. Conant broke out last week behind QB Tom Houle and LB-RB Scott Zari as they combined for 250 yards rushing and 4 TDs. "Historically we've tried to avoid playing kids two ways," Conant coach Bill Modelski said of Zari. "But he's our best football player and we need to get him on the field." The bad news from last week was 100 yards in penalties and probably losing two-way senior Mark Chereso (hamstring) this week. "Hopefully we're on the upswing here," Modelski said. "It's a good opportunity and we'll have to play well. Probably better than we did last week."

Hoffman Estates (1-3) at Schaumburg (2-2)

When: 6:30 p.m. today at Gary Scholz Stadium

Last week: Hoffman lost to Meadows 28-6; Schaumburg d. Elk Grove 31-28

Outlook: Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said giving up 396 yards last week was a combination of a lack of execution and "I don't see (Elk Grove) as an 0-4 football team. I thought they were pretty talented." It's a similar situation this week against a Hoffman team with losses to 3-1 Woodstock, 2-2 Prospect and 4-0 Rolling Meadows. But the Saxons also showed some resilience with a goal-line stand that allowed them to win on QB Cody Logsdon's last-second FG. "Our kids have got some toughness about us," Stilling said. He's also been happy with the leadership he's seen from his juniors -- particularly returning starters OL John Mejia and DB Alex Coglianese. Logsdon and DE Brian Anderson will be ready to go after getting banged up last week. Hoffman's defense was pretty tough against Meadows as it allowed only 183 yards behind LB Greg Carroll, LB-TB Pat Kathan and DB Jerome Henderson. But 6 turnovers -- two returned for TDs -- were too much to overcome, especially against the state's top-ranked 7A team. "Give ourselves a chance to be great," Hoffman coach Bill Helzer said of this week's motto. "It's not like all of a sudden we need to be good football players. We need to be smart football players." The Hawks' defense also gets a boost as LB Andrew Pettit and DB Tom Dombrowski return from injury. "The big positive is we keep getting better and better every week," Helzer said of his defense. Schaumburg's 21-13 win last year was its eighth straight in a series it leads 21-11.

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Wheeling (2-2) at Rolling Meadows (4-0)

When: 6:30 p.m. today at Robert A. Hoese Field

Last week: Wheeling lost to Barrington 36-18; Meadows d. Hoffman Estates 28-6

Outlook: Turnovers were the story last week as Meadows scored off 2 of its 6 takeaways -- LB Joe Okon returned an interception and sophomore LB Jimmy Garoppolo scored off a fumble before halftime. The Mustangs also had one of their best all-around defensive efforts because of the play of Paul Hames, Rick Brown and Eric Charles Lewis up front. "I was really pleased we finally got off the football and got turnovers," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps. "Okon played well because the people up front played well and that made the game a lot more fun." Four miscues were too much for Wheeling to overcome as it saw an 11-6 halftime deficit grow to 36-6 in the fourth quarter. "Our guys felt like they were right there and playing right with Barrington, but a couple of things went against us," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar. "They're confident in their play and they're a good bunch of guys." But QB Matt Holmes, who threw for 220 yards and 3 TDs last week, WR James Kurtz and RB Abel Rangel pose plenty of threats for the Mustangs, who rallied for a 22-19 win last year that was their eighth straight in a series they lead 15-8. "It may be the most athletic team they've had (in years) when you look across the board," Millsaps said. "Now they're older and more mature and that's what separates them from other years." Millsaps hopes QB Ben Sabal gets some better support after 6 dropped passes last week with WR Ty Kirk limited with knee trouble. Versatile Trevor Fritz was also questionable again this week but lineman Tim Grant is expected back. Wheeling's deep LB crew led by Justin Arvidson, Danny Vargas and Garrett Pohlmeier continues to be a strength.

Prospect (2-2) at Hersey (0-4)

When: 6:30 p.m. today at Roland Goins Stadium

Last week: Prospect lost to Palatine 20-17(ot); Hersey lost to Conant 34-9

Outlook: Both teams are battling injury issues with Prospect still without LB-RB Pat Mack and two-way lineman Sean Wheeler this week. "In the first half we never stopped (Palatine), so I'm not sure those two would have made the difference," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman. "We didn't play very well and they're a good team." RB Mason Pack (103 yards last week) is also battling some neck stiffness and Pearlman said in a throwing situation such as the end of the game last week, Alex Lazarz will take over at QB for sophomore Miles Osei. "Alex did a great job," Pearlman said. Hersey coach Mark Gunther called his team "the real MASH unit" with C Jim O'Sullivan (ankle sprain), WR-DB Steve Nelson (stinger), RB-LB Pat Crost (concussion), two-way lineman Larry Scott (concussion) and QB Scott Kinsel having to come out last week and Riley Smith not practicing all last week because of injury. But Gunther liked how the Huskies pass-blocked with freshman Tom Sutranaitis and fourth-string junior G Angel Nedev stepping in up front. "We're facing a lot of adversity," Gunther said. "But the thing about our kids is they don't give up." Prospect's 51-14 win last year was its seventh in nine meetings in a series Hersey leads 15-9.

Elk Grove (0-4) at Buffalo Grove (1-3)

When: 6:30 p.m. today

Last week: Elk Grove lost to Schaumburg 31-28; Buffalo Grove lost to Fremd 27-14

Outlook: Elk Grove continues to close in on ending its 14-game losing streak. Last week it had a 69-35 advantage in total plays and Kevin McDonald, Cory Laga and QB Brian Bathauer combined to rush for 361 of the Grens' 396 total yards. "Offensively we had two other opportunities to score inside the 10, and we've got to take advantage of those situations to win close ballgames," said Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen. "Hopefully we've turned the corner here and we got a little taste of what it takes to win those games." One of the keys for the Grens defensively is eliminating the big plays -- particularly against BG junior RB Josh Hampton, who was held to 21 yards last week. The Grens will also be at full strength health-wise. BG's 21-10 win last year was its 15th in 16 tries in a series it leads 15-4.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Maine West (0-4) at Glenbrook North (3-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today at William Lutz Stadium

Last week: Maine West lost to Glenbrook South 48-7; Glenbrook North def. Waukegan 15-13

Outlook: Going from one Glenbrook to another doesn't get any easier for Maine West as it opens CSL North play. North lost its opener to South but two weeks ago ended Maine South's 42-game CSL winning streak. Last week the Spartans won with a late 55-yard drive capped by power FB Chris Collins (37 carries, 153 yards, 2 TDs). "They threw well against Maine South and they had a little more difficulty throwing against Waukegan but they ran the ball real well," said Maine West coach Chris Hare. "They're a very physical team and they fly around (defensively). They're quick and they've got athletes." Maine West didn't show an y fear last week as it scored first and was a red-zone turnover away from leading the undefeated Titans at halftime behind QB Sean Willett. "I thought we played a great half," Hare said. "We're trying to build a program … and to play with them for a whole half is something we can build on." LB-RB Jon Cruz and WR Jeff Rice are out because of injury but two-way lineman Jared Golojuch played through a groin injury. "He's hurting but he's a fighter," Hare said. Glenbrook North's 9-7 win last year was its fourth straight and seventh in their last eight meetings.