The Friday Night Drive Team of the Week for Week 1 of the 2022 regular season is here.
After 5,807 people voted, tallying 8,175 total votes, we are proud to announce the Team of the Week. Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Schweickert, Ganassin, Krzak, Rundio, LLP. Thank you also to our supporting sponsors: St. Margaret’s Health and The Rock and Soul.
Team of the Week MVP: Cole Klawikowski, Hampshire: Ran for 407 yards on 45 carries with 2 TDs (88 and 31 yards).
Team of the Week
Quarterback
Jonas Williams, Bolingbrook
19-of-23 passing, 407 yards, 7 TD passes in win over Minooka
Blainey Dowling, Mount Carmel
Threw for 5 TDs, 317 yards in three quarters against St. Rita
Tyler Vasey, Prairie Ridge
Ran 18 times for 198 yards and TDs of 80 and 36 yards in win over McHenry
Running Back
Cole Klawikowski, Hampshire
Ran for 407 yards on 45 carries with 2 TDs (88 and 31 yards)
Nate Van Witzenburg, Crystal Lake South
210 total yards with 3 TDs. Had 177 rushing, including 93-yard touchdown run.
Jase Grunder, Erie-Prophetstown
Ran for 215 yards, 5 TDs in win over Mendota
Receiver
Julius Ellens, Glenbard West
Finished with 120 rushing yards, 102 receiving yards and 4 total TDs
Kyan Berry-Johnson, Bolingbrook
6 receptions, 165 yards, 3 touchdowns in win over Minooka
Zack Maness, McHenry
8 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD in loss to Prairie Ridge.
Offensive Line
Anthony Birsa, Joliet Catholic
Paced OL effort that put up 445 rushing yards as a team
Austin Barrett, St. Charles East
Anchored the East offensive line in a win over Lincoln-Way Central
Defensive Line
James Muetterties, Burlington Central
8.5 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery in win over Hampshire
Caleb Donna, Newman
Blocked punt, 10-yard sack in win over Morrison
Jeremy Johnson, Joliet Catholic
Senior had 4 tackles, 1 sack and 1 INT in Week 1 win
Linebacker
Nolan Perry, Genoa-Kingston
Multiples tackles for loss and QB hurries against Winnebago, also threw for a TD and had a 75-yard kick return for a TD
Robbie Gall, Burlington Central
20.5 tackles in win over Hampshire
Cole Ostendorf, York
6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup in win over Schaumburg
Phillip Carlton, Plainfield Central
12 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFL and a forced fumble against Lincoln-Way West
Defensive Back
Ryan Brady, St. Bede
11 tackles, INT, fumble recovery, two pass breakups (including one in end zone) in win at Sherrard
Conner Price, Ottawa
Key interception, 2 passes defended; also had four receptions in win over Plano
Khalil Nichols, Oak Park-River Forest
3 interceptions in win over Fenwick
AJ Kested, Sterling
68-yard punt return TD; returned INT 45 yards to set up TD