Antioch, Warren and Lake Zurich all move up, Grant returns to the rankings, and Stevenson’s Aidan Crawley and Deerfield’s Nate Margulis are the players of the week.
TOP 10 TEAMS
With records through Tuesday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Libertyville 6-0 (1)
Caleb Baczek makes nine tackles and recovers a fumble in the Wildcats’ North Suburban Conference win against Waukegan.
2. Stevenson 5-1 (2)
Abai Atabekov’s interception changes the momentum in the Patriots’ NSC win against Lake Forest, while Anthony Adams III, Luke Nelson and Griffin Suren combine for four sacks.
3. Antioch 5-1 (5)
Jack Bucar’s 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Sequoits’ Northern Lake County Conference win against Grayslake North is the fourth way he has scored.
4. Wauconda 5-1 (4)
Logan Olsen throws for 206 yards and three TDs, completing passes to six receivers, and runs for another TD in the Bulldogs’ NLCC win against Grayslake Central.
5. Lake Forest 4-2 (3)
After two straight losses in NSC games, the Scouts will try to get back on track against Waukegan in one of the many Thursday games this week.
6. Warren 4-2 (8)
It’s just another night at the office for Aaron Stewart, who rushes for 263 yards and three TDs on 24 carries in the Blue Devils’ NSC win against Mundelein.
7. Grayslake North 4-2 (6)
Despite the loss to Antioch, the Knights’ plan to eat up the clock proves effective, as Landon Dovel carries the ball 34 times for 174 yards and a TD.
8. Lake Zurich 3-3 (10)
Quarterback Reid Pfeifer is efficient in his second career start, going 6 for 7 for 103 yards and a TD in the Bears’ NSC win against Zion-Benton.
9. Grant 3-3 (NR)
Ethan Willey delivers in the Bulldogs’ NLCC win against Round Lake with an 85-yard TD catch and four carries for 38 yards and another TD.
10. Deerfield 3-3 (9)
Mason Venamore makes 14 tackles, including four for loss and a sack, as the Warriors hold Glenbrook South to 138 yards but lose in a Central Suburban South game.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior quarterback Aidan Crawley completes 14 of 18 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns and also runs for a TD during Stevenson’s 35-21 North Suburban Conference win against Lake Forest.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior linebacker Nate Margulis makes 17 tackles, including 12 solo, seven for loss and four sacks for 27 yards, during Deerfield’s 27-7 Central Suburban South loss to Glenbrook South.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
