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.
The winner will receive a $20 gift card to Mariah’s Restaurant.
Nik Samson (Pleasant Plains Running Back) On his first carry Saturday, Nik Samson set the tone by running over a defender. Samson stomped his way to three rushing touchdowns and could’ve had more if the starters weren’t pulled early in the fourth quarter. Plains marches into the second round and opponents better beware of Samson the rest of the way.
Deondre Gregory (Maroa-Forsyth Running Back) When your name ends up in the IHSA record books after a playoff win, you’re doing something right. Maroa-Forsyth running back Deondre Gregory found the end zone six times on Saturday, scoring five rushing touchdowns to tie an IHSA record for rushing touchdowns in a playoff game and for scoring a total of 36 points with one receiving touchdown.
Jake Wooldridge (Glenwood Defensive Back) The Glenwood defense is a major reason why the Titans will head north for Round 2. Yeah, Jubbar Cross scored two rushing touchdowns and Luke Lehnen hit Cole Hembrough for two scores, but the defense came up with five turnovers to stop the Bulldogs. Jake Wooldridge had two of those with two picks off the arm of Dawson Finch.
Brandon Odam (Taylorville Quarterback) Six touchdowns from the Tornadoes junior quarterback powered Taylorville into the second round. Brandon Odam threw for five touchdowns and had 221 yards in the air. He also added 96 rushing yards and a score on the ground against Coal City to make sure the Tornado train marches on.
Nic Laird (Athens Running Back) Multiple players deserve shoutouts for the Warriors win on Saturday. Coach Ryan Knox called it a complete team effort and it really was. Mason Reiff threw for three touchdowns to three different receivers. Charles Molitoris was running over dudes on his way to a big day. This week, we’ll give the Prime Time Performer nod to the sophomore though. Nic Laird found the end zone three times and just always seemed to come up with that big play when Athens needed it most.
Spencer Redd (SHG Wide Receiver) It’s getting hard to ignore what Spencer Redd continues to do each and every week. The kid is everywhere and does everything for SHG. Redd caught two touchdown passes from Sam Sweetland and caught one from Hubbard’s quarterback. A pick six for Redd made sure the Cyclone starters wouldn’t have to play in the second half with a running clock win.
Justice Ferrier (Williamsville Quarterback) The Bullets look like their returning to midseason form at just the right time. The offense and defense has been so dominant and the charge on the offensive side of the ball is led by Justice Ferrier. The senior quarterback rushed for 109 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to go with one through the air and 236 yards.
Kyle Boughter (Springfield High Runner) The Senators are headed to state! We caught up with some cross country on Saturday at the 2A MacArthur Sectional and Kyle Boughter was the top individual finisher with a time of 15:02.36. Watch out for him and the rest of the Solons at the state meet on Saturday.
Gabby Wood (Springfield High Runner) Springfield High will send their whole squad, boys and girls to the Detweiler Park on Saturday. Gabby Wood helped the Senators to a state berth with a fourth place finish at the MacArthur sectional with a time of 18:19 last weekend.
Darian Turner (Glenwood Forward) Darian Turner said it best after the Titans sectional win last week, “We have so many scoring options.” Turner was the guy to get it done last Friday when Glenwood beat Urbana thanks to two goals from the senior striker.
Nic Baker (Rochester Quarterback) Look who’s back on the Prime Time Performer list. We’ve tried to come up with reasons to give somebody else a chance from Rochester to make the list, but Baker did it again on Friday in Round 1. Baker threw for three touchdowns and just for fun, he rushed for another. Yet to turn the ball over this season, Baker’s season will go down in the history books, so start taking notes.
