Friday Night Drive’s Team of the Week for Week 5 of the 2023 season

The Friday Night Drive Team of the Week for Week 5 of the 2023 season is here.

After 3,780 people voted, tallying 6,478 total votes, we are proud to announce the Team of the Week. Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Schweickert, Ganassin, Krzak, Rundio, LLP. Of note: This week, we have 23 players on the team. There was a tie in voting for our third spot at defensive back.

Team of the Week MVP: Gino Ferrari, QB, St. Bede

Team of the Week: Week 5, 2023

Quarterback

Gino Ferrari, St. Bede

Ran for TDs of 33 and 13 yards, threw for 60-yard TD in 42-8 win over Westmont

Jason Penza, Crystal Lake Central

16-of -6 passing, 406 yards, 4 TDs, 1 rushing TD in 34-0 win over Crystal Lake South

Brady Ruestman, Fieldcrest

13-of-23 passing, 224 yards, 2 TDs in 29-28 loss to Heyworth

Running Back

Andrew Prio, Cary-Grove

95-yard kickoff return, 4 carries for 59 yards; had 38-yard rush and 38-yard reception in 21-20 loss to Prairie Ridge

Caden DuMelle, Jacobs

13 carries, 252 yards, 4 TDs in 55-26 win over Dundee-Crown

Landon Whelchel, Amboy

148 rushing yards, 3 rush TDs on 13 carries

Receiver

George Dimopoulos, Crystal Lake Central

10 catches, 219 yards, 3 TDs in 34-0 win over Crystal Lake South

George Asay, Montini

7 catches, 157 yards, 65-yard TD

Kyan Berry-Johnson, Bolingbrook

14 catches, 241 yards, 2 TDs in 38-28 loss to Lincoln-Way West

Offensive Line

Brogan Kjellesvik, Morris

6-foot-3, 257-pound freshman led way for Morris’ 424 yards from scrimmage against La Salle-Peru.

John Fallaw, Prairie Ridge

Helped Wolves enjoy huge possession advantage, holding the ball 34:33 of their 21-20 win over Cary-Grove

Defensive Line

Jack Trautmann, York

7 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 hurry

Ben Kolodziej, Crystal Lake Central

2 sacks, 3 QB pressures in 34-0 win over Crystal Lake South

Tristan Countryman, Sycamore

Drew double teams all night, freeing up linebackers to make tackles and keep pressure on Rochelle in 21-6 win

Devin Tanton-DeJesus, Rock Falls

4 sacks, 2 tackles for loss in Rock Falls’ first win since Week 1 of the 2021 season

Linebacker

Connor Scott, Bureau Valley

9 tackles, Bureau Valley defense only allowed Mendota 36 yards rushing

Trevor Rapp, Burlington Central

7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 pressure in 17-7 win over McHenry

Cole Ostendorf, York

7 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 hurry

Diego Garcia, Sycamore

Had a strip-sack and an interception for the Spartans in a 21-6 win against Rochelle.

Defensive Back

Jack LoConte, Andrew

100-yard INT return for TD in 49-7 loss to Lincoln-Way East

Ryan Stiglic, Lincoln-Way West

Made key INT in fourth quarter of 38-28 win over Bolingbrook

Carter York, Sycamore

Had INT in 21-6 win over Rochelle; on offense, had highlight-reel catch for TD

Sam Mateski, Morris

Had INT and almost added another in shutout win over La Salle-Peru