Here are this week’s candidates for Prime Time Performer.
You can vote once every 12 hours until the polls close on Friday at 5 p.m.
Cade Beckett (Williamsville Linebacker) The Williamsville offense continues to shine as the Bullets blasted their way through the first round but we’re going to give the nod to the defense again this week. Junior linebacker Cade Beckett had two interceptions against Hillsboro including a pick six for the second score of the game for the Purple and Gold.
Grant Graham (North Mac Quarterback) Welcome back to the Prime Time Performer list North Mac nation, we missed you. This week we’re going with Grant Graham who scored three touchdowns for the Panthers in their round one win. North Mac’s postseason run will rely heavily on how well Graham can manage the game and keep the Panthers doing what they do best.
Evan Champley (Taylorville Running Back) The Tornadoes are on to the second round of the playoffs for the third straight season and a big reason why is a Champley. While Evan’s brother Tanner is playing safety at St. Ambrose, the younger Champley brother is still making plays for the Purple and Gold. Evan rushed for 101 yards, including a 59 yard touchdown against Marquette and had a 40 yard pick six to seal a Taylorville win with under a minute to play in the first round of the 4A playoffs.
Tremayne Lee (SHG Running Back) We try to find ways to not put Tremayne Lee on Prime Time Performer each week. He didn’t even play in the second half of their opening round playoff game because of a bruised heel and his stat line was still incredible against Normal West. Lee racked up 246 yards on the ground and scored four times to power the Cyclones into the second round of the 6A playoffs.
Jack Racey (Jacksonville Forward) There are plenty of heroes out of Jacksonville that you can point to that has them on the verge of a state berth. We’re going to give the Prime Time Performer nod to Jack Racey this week. With the Crimsons’ leading scorer out of the sectional semifinal, Racey found the back of the net twice and had an assist to power Jacksonville over Marian. Racey then had to step up and hit the final penalty kick against Waterloo to give his school their first ever soccer sectional crown.
Nate Cheung (Springfield Forward) Springfield High’s nominee for Prime Time Performer this week makes the list based on a career achievement AND a big moment. Last week in their sectional semifinal, Nate Cheung scored his 100th career goal as a Senator. His 101st came in an even bigger spot. Cheung scored a header against Glenwood for the game’s only goal in the sectional championship to send Springfield High back to super sectionals.
Wyatt McIntyre (Athens Cross Country) Watch out Warrior nation, you’ve got a runner headed to state this weekend. Junior Wyatt McIntyre has been tearing through cross country courses all season long and his preparation paid off on Saturday. He won the Elmwood sectional with a time of 15:24.72…which beat all 152 other runners by over 30 seconds, making McIntyre Athens’ first sectional champion since 2002.
Shae Upton (Jacksonville Volleyball) The biggest upset of the postseason so far has been what the Jacksonville volleyball team did last week. The Crimsons shocked the 3A volleyball bracket by knocking off SHG in straight sets in the regional semifinal. Shea Upton came up huge, picking up back to back blocks to seal the win in the second set to go with five kills and four digs in the match.
Sydney Tobias & Sydney Allen (Southeast Swimmers) The two Sydney’s from Southeast get the nod for Spartan nation. They both broke records on Saturday and are both named Sydney, so why not put them together in Prime Time Performers. Sydney Tobias, the junior swimmer, won the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 59.52. Tobias now as the record that previous stood for 22 years. Sydney Allen, the freshman swimmer, won the 100 butterfly with a time of 59.61 which broke a four year record.
