Prime Time Performers: October 26th – 31st

 

Kiersten Anderson (Lutheran Volleyball) – In three games this week in the Auburn volleyball regional, Anderson racked up 42 kills. She led her No. 8 seed Crusaders to a regional championship as they eliminated Pittsfield, Pleasant Plains and Auburn on their way to yet another sectional for Lutheran High volleyball. 

 

Abbey Galusha & Delaney Edwards (Williamsville Volleyball) – The powerful two attack combo of Galusha and Edwards has the Bullets on to sectional action. Edwards tallied 21 kills in their two games against Riverton and Central A&M, while Galusha added 19 kills against the Hawks and Raiders.

 

Evan Wright (Springfield High Goalie) – After breaking his hand less than two months ago, the Senator goalkeeper is back and better than ever. Wright has the Springfield High team shutting out everyone since he’s been back. The Solons haven’t given up a goal in the postseason and having Wright in the net is a big reason why they're playing in the supersectional on Tuesday evening. 

 

Tim Brenneisen (SHG Quarterback) – The Cyclone play caller was on point Friday night in SHG’s first round matchup against Shepard. The junior QB completed 17 of 22 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns in the black and gold’s 53-6 win, moving them one step closer to that coveted three-peat. 

 

Jimmy Barry (Taylorville Wide Receiver) – With Taylorville down by 11 in the second half at home, Jimmy Barry came up with two big plays in the second half that helped the undefeated Tornadoes take down their rivals and advance. Barry made an incredible touchdown catch to cut the Braves’ lead down to five and then sealed the game in the fourth quarter with a big run for a touchdown. Barry didn’t play on offense last year but has been a key on both sides of the ball in Taylorville’s perfect start to the season at 10-0. 

 

Griffin Hatalla (North Mac Running Back) – Trailing by 13 at the half of their first round playoff game, the Panthers realized it was time to put up or go home. Griffin Hatalla got North Mac going with two second half touchdowns, carrying the ball for 123 yards, while standing in the middle of that Panther defense that didn’t give up a single point in the second half. Hatalla led the 10-0 Panthers to a 27-20 win over Pleasant Plains to move them on to the second round. 

 

Heath Warren (Springfield Cross Country) – It may be long overdue, but it’s time to give props to the Springfield runner. Warren finished second overall in the 2A Decatur MacArthur sectional cross country race to lead his Senators to a team title. The future Oklahoma Sooner will have a great shot at doing big things in Peoria next weekend. 

 

Austin Galloway (Pawnee Running Back) – When filling out the Prime Time Performer list each week, we typically look for quality reasons why we should maybe put someone other than Austin Galloway on the list from Pawnee because it seems like he’s always an excellent candidate. We’ll give the junior his due again this week as he tallied 152 yards and three touchdowns, including a 57 yard score to lead the Indians to a 42-8 first round win over Decatur Lutheran. 

 

Kenny Hedges (Rochester Running Back) – He may have only tallied 88 yards on the ground, but on four of his nine carries he scored a touchdown. Hedges also added a receiving touchdown for the Rockets who ran right through their first round opponent at home on Saturday. If Hedges continues to put up those impressive numbers, Rochester will be bringing home number six at the end of November.

 

Hunter Maxwell (Athens Running Back) – The Warriors beat previously undefeated Eldorado in the first round of the IHSA playoffs thanks to their run game. Maxwell was a big part of that, carrying it 19 times and tallying 113 yards and one score from seven yards out. Athens advances to the second round where they will host Maroa-Forsyth with a chance for some revenge.

 

Drew Points (Auburn Wide Receiver) – Plenty of worthy candidates from the Auburn Trojans for Prime Time Performer but all signs lead to Points this week. If there was a fantasy league, Drew may have broke a few records with his performance on Saturday. Points had five catches for 229 yards of the arm of Drew Chance and he scored twice. That’s some impressive numbers from the wide out.