Playoff-bound Deerfield moves up in the rankings, and Antioch’s Martin Cohen and Libertyville’s Ayden Newby are the players of the week.
TOP 10 TEAMS
With records through Wednesday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Lake Forest 7-2 (1)
Charlie Markee makes 11 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown in the Scouts’ win against Mundelein ahead of their Class 6A playoff opener against Mather.
2. Libertyville 8-1 (2)
Stevan Gavric and Sam Seth make two TD catches apiece in the Wildcats’ win against Warren, maintaining momentum going into their 6A playoff opener against Deerfield.
3. Stevenson 8-1 (3)
Griffin Suren makes 12 tackles, including two sacks, as the Patriots edge Lake Zurich before their 8A playoff opener against Sandburg.
4. Wauconda 7-2 (4)
Logan Olsen completes 5 of 7 passes for 167 yards and three TDs during the Bulldogs’ win against North Chicago. Look for more efficiency against Fenton in their 6A playoff opener.
5. Grant 6-3 (5)
Max Hembrey hauls in 56-yard and 62-yard TD catches during the Bulldogs’ win against Lakes. That high-scoring offense will take on Burlington Central in the 6A playoffs.
6. Antioch 7-2 (6)
Jack Bucar and the Sequoits return to 6A and start the playoffs with a familiar opponent, Northern Lake County Conference rival Grayslake North, which they beat 22-18 on Oct. 4.
7. Grayslake North 7-2 (7)
Mitchell Hughes surpasses 2,000 passing yards and Cameron Bates eclipses 1,000 receiving yards during the Knights’ win against Round Lake.
8. Deerfield 5-4 (10)
Nate Margulis’ 25-yard scoop-and-score highlights the Warriors’ strong defensive effort in their playoff-clinching win against New Trier, which is held to fewer than 160 yards.
9. Warren 5-4 (8)
Aaron Stewart does all he can against Libertyville with more than 40 carries and 200 yards ahead of the Blue Devils’ 8A playoff opener against Palatine.
10. Lake Zurich 4-5 (9)
Alex Pirrone rushes 20 times for 118 yards and a TD against Stevenson and finishes the season with 148 carries for 739 yards and seven TDs.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior running back Martin Cohen rushes for 132 yards and four touchdowns on just 11 carries as Antioch wins 53-20 against Grayslake Central to clinch the Northern Lake County Conference title, and Cohen needs just 1 yard to become the program’s all-time leading rusher.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior cornerback Ayden Newby makes 20 tackles, including 15 solo stops, as Libertyville tops Warren 35-28 to clinch a share of the North Suburban Conference title.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
