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OUTLOOK
Barrington and Fremd each advanced to the third round of the Class 8A playoffs last fall, but Fremd’s Vikings rate the edge in the 2007 MSL West race. Fremd has one of the area’s best quarterbacks in Scott Tolzien, and five defensive starters back, including MLB Nick Hillard and the line duo of Ben Perna and John LaPointe. Barrington has been in the top two slots each of the last five years bt will have to fight through heavy graduation losses to land there again: Only five starters return. Still, the Broncos have good balance between classes and a standout defender in LB Joey Luna. Palatine hasn’t made the playoffs in 10 years and was winless in conference in 2006 but enters this season poised to be a surprise contender. The Pirates have 13 starters back (nine on offense), including junior QB Matt Rossi and RB Dan Sutton. Schaumburg and Conant both were first-round playoff participants in 2006. Saxons RB Mick Trimarco averaged 10 yards per carry in limited time last year. Conant, led by MLB Scott Zari, will emphasize speed over bulk.
2006 state qualifiers:
Barrington, 8A round 3
Conant, 8A round 1
Fremd, 8A round 3
Schaumburg, 8A round 1
Players to watch:
FREMD
Mark Tolzien QB 6-1 180
Derrick Walker RB 6-1 175
CONANT
Scott Zari MLB 6-0 205
BARRINGTON
Joey Luna LB 5-11 205
PALATINE
Matt Rossi QB 6-3 165
Others to watch:
BARRINGTON
J.C. Stickney DB/WR 6-4 190
Andrew Cobb TE/DE 6-3 250
George Clampitt OL 6-2 260
CONANT
Tom Houle QB 5-10 175
Mark Chereso WR/DB 5-11 175
FREMD
Ben Perna DE 6-2 205
Nick Hillard MLB 5-10 200
John LaPointe DL 6-3 265
HOFFMAN ESTATES
Matt Schwendinger MLB/TE 6-1 215
Pat Kathan RB 5-10 185
Jerome Hendersen FS 6-1 190
PALATINE
Dan Sutton RB 5-9 175
Ryan Hourigan OLB 6-3 215
SCHAUMBURG
Mick Trimarco RB 5-11 195
Joe Parenti CB 5-9 165
Scott Falkner LB 6-0 185
Key games:
Sept. 20: Fremd at Barrington
Sept. 28: Palatine at Fremd
Oct. 19: Barrington at Schaumburg
Predicted finish:
Fremd
Barrington
Palatine
Schamburg
Conant
Hoffman Estates
Conference capsule previews were compiled by Craig Brueske, Phil English, Ross Forman, Tim Hilton, Bob Hurst, Jack McCarthy, Steve Reaven, Steve Repsys, Jonathan Schoenberg, Bob Skolnik and Tim Tierney.
