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.
Ben Reinert (Pleasant Plains Quarterback) For the first time in school history, the Cardinals are into the quarterfinals.Three of the four touchdowns in their 2nd round win over Newton came off the arm of senior quarterback Ben Reinert, who found Tristen Tewes, Kai Carlberg and Kevin Ingram for scores to beat the Eagles.
Cade Beckett (Williamsville Safety) Williamsville knew they were in a battle when BCC came out and took the lead at Paul Jenkins Field. The Bullets defense went back out to try and stop the visitors from going up by two scores and senior safety Cade Beckett came up with the defensive play of the day. Beckett read the pitch perfectly, knocked it down and then picked up the fumble and returned it for a defensive touchdown to start the scoring for the Bullets.
Jayden Reed (Rochester Wide Receiver) Nic Baker threw his first interception and had a fumble lost on Saturday. Shocking, we know. He went on to run for four scores and threw for two more to lead the Rockets to victory. Those two touchdown passes went to our pick this week for Prime Time Performer, senior wide receiver Jayden Reed, who had five catches for 125 yards and two scores, including the Lite of the Nite from Saturday that involved a little bit of luck and a whole lot of concentration from Reed.
Jillian Yakel (Pleasant Plains Volleyball) The third time was the charm for the Cardinals and it happened in the game that mattered most. The best volleyball rivalry in the Sangamo this season was the top two teams, who ended up meeting in the New Berlin sectional last week. Senior Jillian Yakel had 14 kills and four blocks to help the Cardinals knock off the Trojans in three thrilling sets at the Pretzel Dome.
Brian Adams (SHG Running Back) If he wins the gift certificate to Mariah’s this week for the Prime Time Performer, he might have to take his linemen to dinner for this one. SHG senior Brian “BB” Adams had 254 rushing yards and three touchdowns through the mud to lead the Cyclones into the 6A quarterfinals. Without his partner in crime, Tremayne Lee, in the backfield, BB knew he had to carry to load in the run game and did just that.
Drayton Davis (Athens Running Back) The Warriors hit the road for Round 2 and were able to run away from the Bombers with another win. Athens is no stranger to the quarterfinals and neither is senior tailback Drayton Davis who’s been carrying the ball for Ryan Knox for awhile. Davis had 122 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including one through the air against Argenta-Oreana to make sure his basketball season didn’t start on time this year.
Deondre Gregory (Maroa-Forsyth Running Back) We’re blessed to have some incredible running backs in our coverage area carrying their teams into Week 12. The Sangamo has four teams still alive and all of them can run the ball. The Trojans have one of the best tailbacks in the conference in Deondre Gregory who added to his incredible senior campaign total against Eldorado with 210 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns on just 17 carries.
Wyatt McIntyre (Athens Runner) It’s not too often we have a state champion on the Prime Time Performer list. Athens cross country standout Wyatt McIntyre is changing that this week by winning the 1A state title in Peoria last Saturday with a time of 14:24. The Illini bound runner crossed the line first after taking home second as a junior.
Caroline Jachino (Pleasant Plains Runner) She’s not a state champion…yet anyway. Plains sophomore Caroline Jachino finished sixth in 1A with a time of 17:59 for her second straight all state finish as a Cardinal. Last year she placed 12th, so if you do the math…she’s got two more years to continue to climb that podium and reach for that state title.
Gretchen Madonia (SHG Volleyball) Go again and take a swig for Gretchen! The Cyclones stormed into the Effingham sectional and sent home Mattoon on Monday in impressive fashion. SHG wasted no time dominating the Green Wave in the 3A sectional semifinal. A complete team effort on offense and defense was led by senior setter Gretchen Madonia who had 13 assists, seven digs and an ace to push the Cycs into the sectional title match.
