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Football: Coffey, McEachern earn Week 8 MVP honors

Batavia senior receiver Canaan Coffey and Benet Academy junior safety Alec McEachern have earned Daily Herald MVP honors for their performances in Week 8 of the high school football season.

OFFENSE

Canaan Coffey, Batavia: This senior realized the dream of every Batavia youth football player when he set a single-game school record in a win over archrival Geneva. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound wide receiver caught 13 balls for a Batavia-best 222 yards, highlighted by a go-ahead, 7-yard reception and an 89-yard scoring play.

Jalen Dennis, Wheeling: The Wildcats' quarterback rushed for 127 yards and passed for 131 on an 8-for-10 effort without an interception to help Wheeling win its third straight and keep alive its hopes for a Mid-Suburban East championship by topping Hersey 26-13.

Devion Hodges, Glenbard North: The senior running back helped the Panthers clinch a playoff slot with a 45-9 DuPage Valley Conference win over Metea Valley. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Hodges ran the ball 15 times for 226 yards, averaging 15 yards a carry. A team co-captain, Hodges scored on touchdown runs of 38, 92 and 10 yards.

Dami Oladunmoye, Grayslake North: He has more moves than vowels in his name. The junior running back displayed his speed and elusiveness in the Knights' 54-21 victory over Grayslake Central, rushing for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns on 17 carries, all in the first half.

DEFENSE

Alec McEachern, Benet: A 24-21 upset victory over Joliet Catholic, the top-ranked team in Class 5A, started on defense. McEachen led the effort, notching 10 tackles and 2 interceptions and forcing a fumble. On offense the 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior safety rushed for 30 yards and caught a touchdown pass.

Riley Buncic, Libertyville: A week after notching a Pick 6, the senior linebacker picked up another defensive score. He scooped up a Mundelein fumble and raced 18 yards into the end zone, as the Wildcats won 34-7 to improve to 8-0 and clinch the North Suburban Lake Division title.

Dante Cleveland, Hoffman Estates: The 6-foot-5, 255-pound senior's return to the lineup after battling injury paid dividends as the Hawks kept alive their playoff drive by edging Conant 30-29.

Michael Kruse, Hampshire: A three-year starter at safety, Kruse set the tone for Hampshire's 28-9 victory over Crystal Lake Central by intercepting a first-quarter pass and returning it 18 yards to stake the Whip-Purs to the lead. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound senior later added a second interception and made 10 tackles to help Hampshire improve to 5-3.

Jalen Dennis
Devion Hodges
Dami Oladunmoye
Alec McEachern
Riley Buncic
Dante Cleveland
Michael Kruse
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