Elgin's Lomax, Maine West's Dolphin garner Week 8 MVP honors
Daily Herald report
Jeff Lomax of Elgin and Jaden Dolphin of Maine West are the Daily Herald football MVPs for their performances in Week 8 games.
OFFENSE
Jeff Lomax, Elgin: This junior set the tone for Elgin's 27-21 victory over rival Larkin on the first play from scrimmage when he threw a 72-yard touchdown pass on a reverse flea flicker. The 6-foot-4, 175-pound quarterback went on to complete 15 of 26 passing attempts for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns to help the Maroons (4-4) claim the Town Jug trophy and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Gary Moeller, Prospect: The Knights' quarterback did it all in his team's playoff-clinching 51-34 win over Buffalo Grove. Moeller, a 5-foot-10 junior, was 16 of 23 passing for 341 yards and no interceptions with TD passes of 54 and 51 yards; he also ran for 2 TDs and had a 2-point conversion pass and run as Prospect moved to 6-2 for the season.
Sam Jackson, Naperville Central: The Redhawks kept their playoff hopes alive behind Jackson and a 49-16 DuPage Valley Conference win over DeKalb. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound junior quarterback completed 16 of 21 passes for 287 yards and 4 touchdowns. Jackson also carried the ball seven times for a team-high 48 yards.
Justin Morris, Vernon Hills: On a night host Vernon Hills and Maine West combined for 97 points, the junior H-back was equally prolific. He had 13 receptions for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns (all career highs for the second-year varsity player). Morris' TD receptions covered 10, 35 and 8 yards, as the Cougars lost 59-38 to a Warriors squad that improved to 7-1.
DEFENSE
Jaden Dolphin, Maine West: A 6-foot-3 senior strong safety, Dolphin had 3 interceptions in the Warriors' 59-38 win over Vernon Hills, a victory that assured his 7-1 team at least a share of the Central Suburban North championship. From his tight end position, Dolphin also reeled in an 18-yard TD pass and ran 7 yards for another score.
Will Skowronski, Glenbard West: Skowronski helped power the Hilltoppers' defense in a 20-17 West Suburban Silver victory over Hinsdale Central in overtime. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior inside linebacker recorded a team-leading 12 tackles. Among them were 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss.
Neil Sakolari, Hampshire: A 5-foot-10, 210-pound middle linebacker, Sakolari helped Hampshire end the longest slide in school history with a victory by shutout. The junior, who contributed a team-best 6 tackles, 2 for loss, led a complete team effort as the Whip-Purs snapped a 24-game losing streak. The 12-0 win over Dundee-Crown was Hampshire's first since Aug. 25, 2017.
Willis Singleton, Warren: Double- and triple-teams are common for Singleton. And the strategy rarely stymies the Blue Devils' defensive tackle, who's been a force for three varsity seasons. He wreaked havoc again in a 37-0 win over host Stevenson, as the undefeated Blue Devils posted their fourth shutout. The Iowa State commit registered 3 sacks, including a safety, and another tackle for loss.