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Football: Week 8 MVPs

Waubonsie Valley senior quarterback Zach Bennema and Batavia senior defensive end Josh Leonhard have earned Daily Herald MVP honors for their performances in Week 8 of the high school football season.

Bennema was prolific both as a passer and ball-carrier in Waubonsie Valley's 25-28 victory over Neuqua Valley, while Leonhard intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown along with providing great all-around play in the Bulldogs' 26-20 decision over Geneva.

OFFENSE

Zach Bennema, Waubonsie Valley: The 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior quarterback accounted for 340 yards and all 5 Warriors scores in a 35-28 Upstate Eight Valley win over Neuqua Valley. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 260 yards and 3 touchdowns, including the winner with 1:18 left. He ran for 80 yards with 34- and 5-yard touchdown runs.

Nathan Didier, St. Charles North: The 6-foot, 175-pound senior quarterback picked apart rival St. Charles East's defense in the North Stars' 42-0 Upstate Eight River victory. Didier completed 12 of 17 passes, a cool 71 percent, for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns. He hit three different receivers on touchdowns of 33, 31 and 32 yards.

Rondel Jamison, Carmel Catholic: Rondel ran well. Again. A sophomore fullback and first-year varsity player, he continues to be a difference maker. His 3 touchdowns and 191 rushing yards on 24 carries led the way in a 42-14 win over Marian Central, making the Corsairs playoff-eligible.

Jeff Mayes, Hoffman Estates: Mayes was a one-man gang in helping Hoffman Estates keeps its postseason hopes alive. The senior quarterback ran 18 times for 114 yards and a touchdown, and threw for 214 yards and 3 more touchdowns as the Hawks got win No. 4 with a 28-14 victory against Schaumburg.

Kyle Ware, South Elgin: This senior was a driving force behind South Elgin's 21-7 win at Bartlett. A 5-foot-9, 190-pound running back, Ware scored all 3 touchdowns as the Storm (5-3) rallied from a 7-0 deficit to become playoff eligible. He finished with 124 yards on 16 carries, including scoring runs of 4, 29 and 8 yards.

DEFENSE

Josh Leonhard, Batavia: The 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior defensive end was a thorn in rival Geneva's side in Batavia's 26-20 Upstate Eight River win. Leonhard intercepted a pass for a 45-yard touchdown return. He made 7 tackles with 2.5 sacks, caused a fumble, defended 2 other passes and hurried the quarterback 3 times.

Matt Hanson, St. Francis: The senior defensive back made the state record book with 2 interception returns for touchdown in a 33-13 Chicago Catholic League Green win over De La Salle. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Hanson wove 52 yards for his first score and broke a second-half pick 60 yards. Hanson added 9 tackles.

Vince Serio, Palatine: Serio, a standout senior linebacker all season for the Pirates, had the key play in a key victory at Barrington. With Palatine trailing 14-0 in the second quarter and Barrington driving, Serio stripped a Broncos receiver of the ball after a catch and returned it to midfield. Palatine went on to outscore Barrington 24-0 the rest of the way, and the Serio-led defense allowed the Broncos just 4 first downs in the second half.

Jordan Smith, Elgin: This 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety helped Elgin snap a 19-game losing streak with his stellar all-around play in a 31-13 victory over rival Larkin. The senior made 8 tackles, broke up a pass and grabbed an interception on defense. Offensively, he caught a 75-yard touchdown pass that staked the Maroons to a 25-0 lead.

Nick Turner, Warren: Nick delivered in the nick of time. With just over a minute left, the senior middle linebacker recovered a fumble at the Lake Zurich 6 to help set up the deciding touchdown in the Blue Devils' 21-17 win. He finished with 12 tackles, including 2 for loss, and 2 assisted stops.

Nathan Didier
Rondel Jamison
Jeff Mayes
Kyle Ware
Josh Leonhard
Matthew Hanson
Vince Serio
Jordan Smith
Nick Turner
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