Most Valuable Player
Players of the Week
Week 7 Offensive MVP
Peter Bonahoom
For the first six weeks the Prospect junior was one of the area’s most dangerous receivers. In a 33-26 Mid-Suburban East win over Elk Grove, Bonahoom became the top rusher in school history for a single game with 353 yards and 3 TDs on 26 carries.
Runner-up
Justin Cokefair
Call it Classic Cokefair. The option quarterback and two-year starter nearly quenched the Bulldogs’ thirst for victory with a refreshing performance. He rushed a career-high 39 times for 195 yards — also a career best — and 3 touchdowns against host Lake Forest. The senior helped Grant nearly rally from a 21-0 deficit, as the Bulldogs fell 38-35.
Runner-up
Ron Laramie
Senior running back had 191 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns as the Whip-Purs scored a 26-7 Big Northern East win at North Boone. Laramie scored on runs of 2, 1, 7 and 24 yards.
Runner-up
Johnny Magee
Following his twin brother Sheldon in this space (Week 3), junior running back Johnny Magee paced the Eagles’ 23-18 victory over St. Edward to maintain first place in the Suburban Christian Conference Gold. Magee ran the ball a season-high 32 times for 160 yards, with touchdowns of 3 and 40 yards, adding a 2-point conversion run.
Runner-up
Artie Monaco
In a 20-15 Upstate Eight Conference victory over South Elgin, this 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior running back caught touchdown passes of 60 and 23 yards and ran 18 times for 127 yards. Monaco’s 32-yard kickoff return and three first-down conversions snuffed South Elgin’s late threat, keeping the Lancers atop the UEC standings.
Week 7 Defensive MVP
Mike Stein
Senior defensive back led the Golden Eagles’ secondary with 3 interceptions in their 37-6 win over rival Dundee-Crown. Jacobs made 6 picks in the game as it defeated the Chargers for the seventh straight time.
Runner-up
Tom McGovern
McGovern ruled. The senior defensive end might have seen his popularity grow after his effort against rival Libertyville. He recorded 3 sacks and had multiple hurries to lead a defensive effort that helped the Patriots win 36-22 to stay perfect on the season at 7-0. He also excelled at offensive guard.
Runner-up
Brian Pedersen
This 6-foot-7, 230-pound defensive end established the North Stars’ focus with a quick sack of Neuqua Valley quarterback Joey Ippolito. Pedersen, a senior, added 5 tackles, 2 for loss, 2 quarterback hurries and an interception in St. Charles North’s decisive 31-5 Upstate Eight win. Ippolito had 8 yards on 11 carries.
Runner-up
Connor Ptacin
Marian Catholic came to St. Viator with no losses and left with no points thanks to Ptacin and crew. The Lions snapped a three-game losing streak with a 25-0 victory as Ptacin had 7 solo tackles, 2 tackles for losses and 3 quarterback hurries to lead a defense which allowed 89 total yards.
Runner-up
Will Sayer
Sayer carried Naperville Central’s defense late in its 26-23 DuPage Valley Conference overtime victory over Wheaton North. The 6-foot, 190-pound junior middle linebacker had 6 solo tackles and 7 assists for the game. Five of the tackles and a knocked-down pass came on Wheaton North’s final nine plays in regulation and overtime.
