Most Valuable Player
Players of the Week
Week 4 Offensive MVP
Jalen Williams
This senior running back turned in the 49th-highest single-game rushing performance in state history, according to submitted IHSA records. Williams rushed 33 times for 364 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 40-21 nonconference victory at Lake Forest Academy. He scored touchdowns on runs of 24, 20, 78, 23 and 14 yards and rushed for 20 or more yards on 8 separate carries.
Runner-up
Warren Brewer
Brewer was a fourth-quarter horse in leading Schaumburg’s 37-13 comeback Mid-Suburban League crossover victory over Wheeling. The senior scored on four consecutive carries in the final 10:51 — from 73, 67, 22 and 8 yards —and finished with 187 yards on just 8 carries as the Saxons improved to 2-2.
Runner-up
Mark Weisman
The Air Force recruit was a ground force against Lake Forest. In order to keep the ball away from Notre Dame-bound quarterback Tommy Rees, the Patriots kept handing off to Weisman, and the three-year varsity fullback delivered. He rushed 46 times for 275 yards, both career highs, and 3 touchdowns to help Stevenson win 31-21 and improve to 4-0.
Runner-up
John Whitelaw
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior quarterback carried the Red Devils to a 56-42 wild West Suburban Silver victory over Lyons Twp. Whitelaw completed 22 of 28 passes for 420 yards and 4 touchdowns — spreading the ball to eight receivers — and carried the ball 17 times for 81 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Runner-up
Zach Zajicek
One Saints tailback was already injured. Then another went down. In came third-string tailback Zajicek, and the 5-foot-9, 170-pound junior helped lift St. Charles East to a 21-14 Upstate Eight win over South Elgin. Working with his offensive line, Zajicek ran 22 times for 156 yards, most in the second half, with a 2-yard touchdown run to give the Saints the lead for good.
Week 4 Defensive MVP
Shane Dierking
Dierking came up with numerous big plays as the Tigers beat Naperville Central 24-8 in DuPage Valley Conference action. The 5-foot-8, 170-pound senior defensive back snared 2 interceptions, giving him four on the season to account for the entire team total, broke up 5 passes and had 9 tackles.
Runner-up
John Angotti
Angotti caught a lot of attention for a big night of catching 7 passes for 184 yards and 3 touchdowns. But the Buffalo Grove senior was also instrumental in the secondary and all over the field for a defense that allowed only 1 touchdown in the first three quarters of a 41-14 Mid-Suburban League crossover win over Hoffman Estates.
Runner-up
Kevin Hein
Hein shined. And so did the Rams, whose 20-0 win over Jacobs gave them their first shutout since 2003, when they blanked Cary-Grove 28-0 in Week 5. A junior outside linebacker/safety, Hein led the defense with 9˝ tackles, including a pair for loss, as Grayslake Central evened its record at 2-2.
Runner-up
T.J. Lally
Marian Central’s physical style must be countered, and this 6-foot, 205-pound junior linebacker was on board in Marmion’s 41-27 Suburban Christian Conference Blue victory. After his 11-yard rushing touchdown put the Cadets ahead, Lally made an interception and returned it 55 yards for a crushing touchdown. He also caused a fumble and made 6 solo tackles with 6 assists.
Runner-up
Daniel Muenzer
After East Aurora pulled within 20-19 with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter, Muenzer, a 6-foot-tall, 192-pound linebacker, tackled East Aurora quarterback Bryan Robinson short of the goal line on a 2-point conversion try, preserving the lead and lifting Elgin to a 20-19 victory, its first of the season. The junior also blocked a first-half punt.
