5 Takeaways: Palatine vs Fremd

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a thriller on Thursday night as crosstown rivals Fremd traveled to Palatine.&nbsp; This was a close game throughout that featured different styles, big time college prospects, and an exciting finish.&nbsp; In the end Palatine got the goal line stand to win 28-21 to move to 6-1 on the season knocking off previously undefeated Fremd. &nbsp;&nbsp;Here we dive into our <strong>5 Takeaways: Palatine vs Fremd</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Palatine Offensive Lineman Live Up to Billing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was won up front.&nbsp; We will get to all the skill position guys in a bit, but the Palatine offensive line has three prospects that are all ranked including a Marshall commit and a top 10 junior and neither of them are even the ranked blind side protector!&nbsp; Let's start with 2026 right tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1399932' first='Tony' last='Balanganayi'].&nbsp; The 6'4” dancing bear is the best offensive lineman in the junior class for a reason and he showed it in this one.&nbsp; He is equally adept in pass pro and in the run game.&nbsp; High level footwork that moves with such fluidity.&nbsp; Mirrors his opponent with ease and uses his length to keep them away.&nbsp; Excellent technique and absolutely mauls in the run game pushing his defender back multiple yards.&nbsp; Has the ability to get to the second level with his athleticism.&nbsp; He even played defense and came up with a massive knocked down pass on 4^th and 4 for Fremd.&nbsp; At center is 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='831090' first='Parker' last='Brault'] who is committed to Marshall.&nbsp; He is the leader and pivot man for this squad.&nbsp; Road grader in the run game that plays with a mean streak.&nbsp; They ran behind him on numerous occasions with their QBs.&nbsp; At left tackle we liked what we saw from 6'4” 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1400017' first='Evan' last='Downer'].&nbsp; He has all the physical tools you can ask for with good size, strong frame, and long arms.&nbsp; Strong run blocker that moved bodies and sealed well.&nbsp; Also was pretty consistent in pass protection throughout the evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 5 Michigan Commit was Two Way Standout</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='830236' first='Jaylen' last='Williams'] checks in at #5 overall in the senior class as a defensive lineman.&nbsp; On Thursday he played both offense and defense making an impact on both sides.&nbsp; Early in the game the elite 3-4 defensive end got up field for a tackle for loss.&nbsp; Late in the game when he knew Fremd was passing he got after Fremd's star QB multiple times in a row getting him off his spot and putting pressure in his face.&nbsp; Great frame and length.&nbsp; Strong body and seems to have slimmed down some since last season.&nbsp; One of the more explosive athletes in the class.&nbsp; On the offensive side he is used as a blocking tight end/H-back that had several big blocks including one that opened up a long TD run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Palatine Two QBs Do Work Mostly on Ground and Some in Air</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior starting QB Will Santiago had a solid outing for Palatine throwing for 177 yards and running for 119 yards.&nbsp; More of a runner than passer at this stage.&nbsp; Showed creativity and physicality running the ball including getting multiple key first downs.&nbsp; Threw a pair of TDs one for 44 yards to [player_tooltip player_id='1564796' first='Ryan' last='Donnelly'] early in the game and another one to him later on a double reverse where Donnelly was wide open.&nbsp; The consistency needs to improve as a passer, but he made key plays when they were needed.&nbsp; Donnelly was his go to threat on the outside.&nbsp; The 6'2” 205 pound wide out has good size and was at his best on out routes.&nbsp; Crisp getting in and out of his cuts.&nbsp; Uses his long arms to catch the ball in front of his body and run after the catch including breaking loose for a score on an in breaking route.&nbsp; Finished with 92 yards and 2 touchdowns.&nbsp; There are some intriguing tools with 2026 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1399974' first='Jordan' last='Bostick'] who is a shifty pass catcher that has some shake on route running and after the catch.&nbsp; Makes guys miss to get first downs.&nbsp; The other key QB for Palatine was [player_tooltip player_id='1585307' first='Kole' last='Fager'] who came in several times as a wildcat signal caller.&nbsp; Scored multiple times on the ground one on a short run and another on a long dash.&nbsp; Followed blockers well.&nbsp; The athlete lined up all over the field impacting as a wide receiver making a key catch for a first down along with lining up at running back.&nbsp; He had 127 total yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>O'Brien to Saxe is Fremd's Recipe</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best QB to WR combos in the state was on display Thursday as Northwestern commit 2026 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='499431' first='Johnny' last='O'Brien'] was finding his 2025 wide out [player_tooltip player_id='299479' first='Brennan' last='Saxe'] early and often in this game!&nbsp; O'Brien is a 6'2” signal caller who is in a close race for the top QB spot in the 2026 class.&nbsp; The southpaw definitely helped himself in that case with his play in this one.&nbsp; Lefty has a silky smooth release and advanced footwork.&nbsp; Good arm strength on intermediate routes and can put touch on the ball when it is required.&nbsp; Liked how he would hit his back foot and let it rip.&nbsp; Can scramble when he needs to always keeping his eyes downfield while being able to get yards with his legs scrambling for several first downs.&nbsp; Finished the game with 400 total yards and 3 touchdowns.&nbsp; Saxe had 192 yard outing showcasing his skills in another dominant performance.&nbsp; Gets in and out of cuts well especially on long out routes.&nbsp; Finds openings in the defense and has strong hands.&nbsp; We liked how he was willing to go over the middle to make catches then breakaway from defenders for scores.&nbsp; Had a pair of touchdowns from 21 yards and 59 yards in the game.&nbsp; One of the more under recruited pass catchers in the class who is having a monster season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here we look at a few under the radar prospects in this game.&nbsp; Senior linebacker Jackson Brown held up effectively in pass coverage throughout the night.&nbsp; He had a pick 6 where he read the QB then took it to the house, but it was called back.&nbsp; Also had a key deflection on a pass over the middle on the last play.&nbsp; At 6'1” 218 pounds he has a good build and athletic ability to play somewhere at the next level.&nbsp; On the Fremd side we liked what we saw from [player_tooltip player_id='1292780' first='Mikey' last='Varon'].&nbsp; The 2025 left tackle is listed at 6'3” 290 pounds.&nbsp; Plays with strength and was solid in pass protection for the most part throughout the night against a tough Palatine front.&nbsp; Fremd 2026 6'2” wide receiver Marquan Brewster showed flashes including an adjustment on a catch downfield while being interfered with where he still caught the pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->