David Hoebbel
The senior running back enjoyed a night to remember against Wheaton Academy. He rushed 14 times for 95 yards and a touchdown, but his biggest play occurred with 15.7 seconds left in a tied game. Hoebbel returned a kickoff 79 yards to lift the Green Wave to a 34-28 victory. The win was St. Edward’s sixth of the season, thereby clinching the program’s first playoff berth since 2003.
Brian Kent
Just as Clark Kent used to change into Superman, Brian Kent did the same. Seemingly, anyway. The junior quarterback was simply super against Lakes on a rainy night. He threw for 243 yards on 13-of-23 passing and 2 touchdowns and rushed for 115 yards and 3 scores — on runs of 1, 25 and 62 yards — as the Bulldogs stunned the Eagles 41-12.
Matt Pircon
The speedy senior put it all together in the Cadets’ 18-7 Suburban Christian Blue victory over Montini. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound tailback ran for 80 yards with a 42-yard touchdown run, and made 4 catches for 69 yards with a tough 20-yard touchdown catch. Pircon added an early interception as Marmion clinched its first outright title since 1998.
Julian Sipiora
Sipiora made sure last Friday wouldn’t be his final high school football game as St. Viator faced a must-win situation to make the playoffs. The senior quarterback ran for 155 yards and 3 touchdowns on 17 carries as the Lions advanced to the postseason with a 28-0 win over St. Joseph.
Trace Wanless
The Raiders clinched a share of their first conference title since 1977 behind the play of their electric quarterback. In a 32-20 Western Sun victory over Sycamore, Wanless had 24 carries for 262 yards and touchdown runs of 31 and 68 yards. The 6-foot, 185-pound senior also threw for 69 yards and touchdown.
David Hess
Hess helped the Huskies clinch their 13th straight playoff berth in a 41-0 DuPage Valley Conference victory over West Chicago. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound senior safety started the scoring when he recovered a fumble and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. Hess also intercepted a pass and had 8 tackles.
Andrew Mariotti
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior defensive tackle picked a good time to have a great game — the 92nd meeting between Geneva and Batavia. Mariotti made 9 solo tackles, 4 for loss, plus an assisted tackle. Making big stops on third and fourth down, Mariotti helped Geneva win the Western Sun Conference game — and a share of the title — 23-0.
Mike O’Donoghue
O’Donoghue was oh-so good on "O" — and "D." Besides scoring the game’s only touchdown and rushing for 95 yards in the Mustangs’ 7-0 upset that denied Libertyville a playoff berth, the senior safety/running back made a difference on defense. He had 12 tackles and 2 pass breakups, as Mundelein beat Libertyville for the first time in more than two decades.
Connor Rollins
Rollins finished his high school career on a successful note as Hersey came back to win its first game of the season 12-8 over Wheeling. The senior defensive lineman had 8 tackles, 2 tackles for losses, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 sack as the Huskies allowed only 48 total yards.
Cooper Smith
This middle linebacker turned in a dominant performance in his final high school game. The Hampshire senior made 9 solo tackles and assisted on 8 others as the Whip-Purs shut out Marengo 18-0 in the season finale. It was the Whip-Purs’ second shutout of the season.