Antioch and Northern Lake County Conference rival Wauconda stay on top, and Highland Park’s Gustav Crane and Libertyville’s Kaden Butt are the players of the week.
Top 10
With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Antioch 3-0 (1): Proving to be a one-man wrecking crew, Gavin Stone rushes for 204 yards and four touchdowns in the Sequoits’ conference win over Grant.
2. Wauconda 3-0 (2): Cashton Silton racks up 10 tackles in the Bulldogs’ conference win over Lakes, boosting his team-high season total to 27.
3. Carmel 2-1 (3): Jameer Miles blocks a punt, Kristian Chadick blocks a field-goal attempt and Jaquel Edmonds returns a kick for a TD as the Corsairs’ special teams shine against St. Laurence.
4. Zion-Benton 3-0 (7): Ohio recruit Jamere French and the Zee-Bees will try to improve to 4-0 for the first time this century when they play Stevenson on Thursday.
5. Mundelein 3-0 (6): Cameron Earing and Daniel Felli each returns a kick for a TD and Kolton Sydanmaa forces a fumble and picks off a pass in the Mustangs’ conference win over Waukegan.
6. Grayslake North 3-0 (8): Alejandro Romero, Brooklyn Washington and Lucas Woyat catch TD passes from Jaylen Newkirk, who also runs for a TD in the Knights’ conference win over North Chicago.
7. Libertyville 1-2 (NR): Defense propels the Wildcats to a conference win over Warren, but Aiden Weaver’s 80-yard TD run can’t be overlooked.
8. Lake Zurich 1-2 (5): Adrian Stanek rushes for 99 yards on 24 carries and preserves the Bears’ lead with a late interception in their conference win over Stevenson.
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9. Deerfield 2-1 (NR): George Olaitan returns a kick 77 yards for a TD while the defense allows just 55 yards in the Warriors’ conference win over Niles West.
10. Grayslake Central 2-1 (NR): Ken-Ye Pendleton and Ray Ray Wright combine for 445 rushing yards and seven TDs behind a dominant offensive line in the Rams’ conference win over Round Lake.
Offensive player of the week
After missing the first two games with an injury, senior quarterback Gustav Crane completes 17 of 22 pass attempts for 256 yards and three touchdowns and also rushes for 46 yards during Highland Park’s 42-7 Central Suburban League Central win over Glenbrook North.
Defensive player of the week
Senior linebacker Kaden Butt returns an interception 42 yards for a touchdown, makes 13 tackles and also catches a 72-yard touchdown pass during Libertyville’s 21-6 North Suburban Conference win over Warren.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.