Most Valuable Player
Players of the Week
Week 5 Offensive MVP
Angel Maldonado
Defenses aren’t finding anything angelic about Maldonado when they try to stop the Leyden senior. On Friday night, he set program records for rushing yards (287) and carries (41) and scored 4 touchdowns in a 33-14 West Suburban Gold victory at Leyden. Maldonado surpassed 1,000 yards for the second straight season and is closing in on the school’s career rushing record.
Runner-up
Joe Camiliere
The junior quarterback has done more through the air than last Friday’s 184 yards and 46-yard touchdown pass — and he will again. But on a slick night with the pressure on, Camiliere’s 11- and 2-yard touchdown runs countered two fourth-quarter deficits in the Knights’ 21-17 Western Sun Conference win over Batavia.
Runner-up
Tom Lindal
He’s been Tom Terrific all season, and the junior fullback might have been at his best in the Blue Devils’ 43-42 overtime win over Lake Forest. Lindal rushed 18 times for 175 yards, including touchdown bursts of 9 and 57 yards, helping Warren improve to 5-0.
Runner-up
John Menken
The junior quarterback completed 11-of-20 passes for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran for another to lead South Elgin to a 24-10 homecoming victory over Lincoln-Way North. The win was the Storm’s fourth of the season, a program high.
Runner-up
Reilly O’Toole
The Tigers shifted from their dual quarterback strategy, allowing O’Toole to take nearly every snap against Naperville North. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior responded mightily in a 38-7 DuPage Valley Conference victory. O’Toole completed 12 of 21 passes for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushed for 51 yards and 2 scores.
Week 5 Defensive MVP
J.J. Weaver
The point was clear against Larkin — stop a running back who had run for 364 yards the week before. Weaver, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior linebacker, took the instruction to heart in the North Stars’ 20-7 Upstate Eight win. Weaver’s 10 tackles, 5 for loss, helped hold Larkin’s Evan Williams to 53 yards on 21 carries.
Runner-up
Colin Buscarini
The 6-foot-2, 213-pound inside linebacker has been an integral part of one of the area’s top defenses and last Friday was no exception. Buscarini had 8 solo tackles, 2 assists, 4 tackles for losses and a forced fumble as Rolling Meadows got its second shutout of the season in a 26-0 Mid-Suburban East win over Hersey.
Runner-up
Michael Festa
Neuqua Valley has lately been a study in physical, effective team defense, and this junior linebacker fully represented the 3-5 unit in a 28-7 Upstate Eight Conference win over archrival Waubonsie Valley. The 6-foot, 180-pound Festa led the Wildcats with 11 tackles, including a team-high 8 solo tackles, plus a tackle for loss.
Runner-up
Nathan Gaige
Gaige was a disruptive force from his outside linebacker position in St. Edward’s 42-14 victory over Aurora Central Catholic. The senior finished the game with 1 interception, forced 2 fumbles and recovered another to help St. Edward improve to 4-1.
Runner-up
Austin Miller
Miller was a homecoming-buzz killer, spearheading the Cougars’ 42-0 shutout of host Round Lake. The junior outside linebacker picked up a fumble and raced 14 yards for a score during a 28-point second quarter. He also had a sack, tackle for loss and hurry.
