Week 1 Football MVPs and Runners-Up
Presenting the Daily Herald Football MVPs and Runners-Up for Week 1.
OFFENSIVE RUNNER-UPSean HavlovicFentonThe Bison notched a 30-29 win over Leyden behind their 6-foot-2, 165-pound senior quarterback. Havlovic completed 19 of 34 passes for 309 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. He rallied Fenton with two fourth-quarter scoring passes and ran in the go-ahead 2-point conversion after his pass was tipped back to him.
OFFENSIVE RUNNER-UPAnthony MaddieAurora ChristianHelping the host Eagles rally from a 20-14 halftime deficit, the 6-foot-2, 203-pound senior quarterback ran for 2 second-half touchdowns and threw for a third in a 38-20 win over defending 3A champion Stillman Valley. Maddie, bound for Western Michigan, completed 21 of 27 passes for 274 yards, 2 touchdowns; and ran for 64 yards, 3 touchdowns.
OFFENSIVE RUNNER-UPDennis MooreElginThis 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior enjoyed a memorable night in his first game as Elgins featured tailback. He carried 18 times for 181 yards, including touchdown bursts of 80 and 50 yards. Moore, who has gained interest from Mid-American Conference programs, also returned a kickoff 99 yards for another touchdown.
OFFENSIVE RUNNER-UPJake ZiolkowskiWaucondaNew quarterback, same old results for the veteran wide receiver. A four-year varsity player, Ziolkowski caught 6 passes for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Bulldogs season-opening, 36-14 win at Woodstock. His TD grabs from transfer Branden Rowe covered 52 and 21 yards.
DEFENSIVE MVPAustin HigginsBataviaBulldogs coach Dennis Piron exclaimed the senior linebacker was everywhere in Batavias 36-7 win over Marmion. The 6-foot, 175-pound Higgins made 8 solo tackles and added 4 assists, a sack and 2 passes defended. Plus, he provided the Bulldogs with a 24-0 lead by returning an interception 36 yards for a touchdown.
DEFENSIVE RUNNER-UPEvan FinnaneSt. EdwardThis 6-foot-2, 255-pound senior demonstrated why he has offers from Air Force and Army in St. Edwards 21-0 season-opening victory over Genoa-Kingston. The two-way lineman registered 13 tackles, including 2 sacks among his 5 tackles for a loss, sparking the Green Wave to a shutout.
DEFENSIVE RUNNER-UPGustavo GarciaGlenbard EastGarcia led a fierce second-half defensive effort from the Rams, who held Willowbrook scoreless for the final two quarters of a 35-14 Glenbard East win. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound junior linebacker had 10 tackles and 3 sacks, including one that forced a fumble. Garcia also snared an interception at the start of the second half.
DEFENSIVE RUNNER-UPNick JonesGrantNick nicked him. Tackled him. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior defensive tackle kept getting to Johnsburgs quarterback on Opening Night. Jones registered 2½ sacks, propelling a defensive effort that helped the Bulldogs post a 42-0 victory.
DEFENSIVE RUNNER-UPIsmael NajeraHerseyHersey faced a big opening test against defending Central Suburban North champion Glenbrook North. Najera, a senior defensive lineman, made sure the Huskies aced a 21-14 victory with 3 tackles, 4 assists, a tackle for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery and 2 quarterback hurries.