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Burlington Central's Sarvis, Antioch's Shaputis Week 5 MVPs

Gavin Sarvis of Burlington Central and Ryan Shaputis of Antioch are the Daily Herald football MVPs for their efforts in Week 5 games.

OFFENSE

Gavin Sarvis, Burlington Central: A sophomore running back, Sarvis played with the poise of a veteran in the final moments of Central's most important victory in years. The 6-foot, 160-pound rusher carried 23 times for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns, highlighted by a 9-yard scoring run that drew his team within a point of Fox Valley Conference co-leader Jacobs with 1:09 remaining. The two-way player then bolted through the line to score the game-winning 2-point conversion that lifted the Rockets to a 31-30 victory.

Tommy Rittenhouse, St. Francis: The 6-foot, 165-pound junior quarterback directed the Spartans to a huge Metro Suburban Blue victory, 46-43 over Bishop McNamara. Rittenhouse completed 26 of 44 passes for 363 yards and 5 touchdowns. His fifth touchdown pass went to Jake Tangorra with no time remaining to win the game.

Malik Frederick, Conant: The Cougars' 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior, rushed for 139 yards on 29 carries and scored 2 touchdowns in leading his team to its fifth win without a loss, a 31-6 victory over Hoffman Estates, which gave Conant the Mayor's Cup. Frederick is now the second leading rusher in the Northwest suburbs with 859 yards this season.

Maurice Edwards, Grayslake Central: The sophomore running back flashed his potential against Round Lake in his lone varsity game last year, scoring 4 touchdowns. He caused fits for the Panthers again Friday, rushing 19 times for 265 yards and 5 TDs, as the Rams won 56-28 for their first victory of the year.

DEFENSE

Ryan Shaputis, Antioch: The senior linebacker and team captain has been a leader on defense all year for the Sequoits, whose 20-0 win over previously undefeated Grant was their third shutout in four games. He rang up 13 tackles, including a sack and another tackle for loss, and also recovered a fumble.

Nate Pedraza, Rolling Meadows: Pedraza, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior defensive end committed to Ball State, had 3 three sacks to lead a team that 8 sacks total in a 49-17 win over Buffalo Grove that kept the Mustangs undefeated at 5-0. Two of Pedraza's sacks came on consecutive plays inside his team's 15 yard line.

Dylan Bernal, South Elgin: This 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back was all over the field in South Elgin's 35-7 victory at Glenbard East. The senior led the defense with 8 tackles, 4 for loss, sacked the quarterback once, hurried him three more times and recovered a fumble to help the Storm (5-0) maintain sole possession of first place in the Upstate Eight Conference.

Marques Wesley, Hinsdale South: Wesley helped the Hornets keep the "Cannon" with a 33-28 WSC Gold victory over Downers South. The 5-foot-8, 171-pound senior linebacker made 6 tackles and snared a pair of interceptions. The first set up a touchdown and the second he returned 26 yards for a score to put his team ahead 14-0.

Tommy Rittenhouse
Malik Frederick
Maurice Edwards
Ryan Shaputis
Nate Pedraza
Dylan Bernal
Marques Wesley
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