Warren begins the playoffs ranked No. 1, and Vernon Hills’ Giuseppe Urso and Lake Zurich’s Evan Peterson are the players of the week.
TOP 10
With records through Wednesday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Warren 8-1 (1)
Illinois commit Aaron Stewart has 266 carries for 2,456 yards and 42 touchdowns, all state highs, for the North Suburban Conference champion Blue Devils.
2. Wauconda 9-0 (2)
Rocco Garcia and Khalil Roberson each returns an interception for a TD in the Northern Lake County Conference champion Bulldogs’ win over Lakes.
3. Carmel 7-2 (3)
Nebraska commit Trae Taylor completes 26 of 39 passes for 302 yards and two TDs in the Corsairs’ CCL/ESCC White win over Fenwick.
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4. Lake Zurich 7-2 (5)
Kaden Abrantes and Ryan Hasemeyer combine for 173 rushing yards and two TDs in the Bears’ NSC win over Stevenson.
5. Antioch 7-2 (6)
Logan Lennon runs for 121 yards and a TD and also catches a TD pass in the Sequoits’ NLCC win over Grant.
6. Stevenson 6-3 (4)
Ball State commit Zach Becker has 22 catches for 358 yards and four TDs for the Patriots.
7. Grant 6-3 (7)
Matthew Gipson passes for two TDs and runs for a TD in the Bulldogs’ NLCC loss to Antioch.
8. Highland Park 7-2 (8)
Gustav Crane throws for two TDs and runs for a TD in the Central Suburban North champion Giants’ win over Maine East.
9. Lakes 6-3 (9)
Brett Beerbower and Mason Crowley each scores a TD in the Eagles’ NLCC loss to Wauconda.
10. Libertyville 5-4 (10)
Trevor Wallace completes 21 of 34 passes for 232 yards and two TDs in the Wildcats’ NSC loss to Warren.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior running back Giuseppe Urso runs for 207 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries during Vernon Hills’ 35-22 Central Suburban North win over Niles North to become the program’s all-time leading rusher with 2,155 yards.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior cornerback Evan Peterson does a little bit of everything during Lake Zurich’s 49-9 North Suburban Conference win over Stevenson, making four tackles, recovering a fumble, breaking up a pass, returning a punt 50 yards for a touchdown and converting a 2-point try.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.