Here are this week's candidates for the Antonio's Pizza Prime Time Performer. You can vote once every 12 hours until the polls close on Friday at 5pm. The winner will receive a $20 gift card to Antonio's Pizza!
Maddy Davis (Mt. Pulaski Volleyball) A big reason why the Hilltoppers made it to the Elite Eight was the senior standout. Davis stood toe to toe with the Baalman sisters on Tuesday evening in the sectionals semis and then had 11 kills in the sectional championship against Lincolnwood in Mt. Pulaski’s dominant two set sweep for the sectional crown.
Leah Musselman (Williamsville Volleyball) In all honesty, the whole Bullet squad could get the nod here for what they accomplished in their historic season but Musselman was a big reason why they won last week. Leah had 29 assists against Deer Creek Mackinaw to push Williamsville into the super sectional. With weapons like Bridget Rhodes, Abbey Galusha, Delaney Edwards and so many more to set up, Musselman did an outstanding job getting them the ball.
Nick Hanner (Athens Quarterback) The junior Warrior play caller sure isn’t playing like his age right now. Hanner seemingly did it all for an Athens team that just continues to find ways to win. Hanner accounted for four of the five touchdowns on Saturday and we’ll give him a hockey assist on the fifth touchdown. Hanner threw for three TD’s and rushed for one against Maroa-Forsyth…oh and he played defense against the Trojans and forced a fumble. Scary sight for Sangamo opponents knowing he’s got a whole year left on the gridiron.
Albert Okwuegbunam (SHG Wide Receiver) Do we call him a tight end? Do we call him a wide receiver? How about we settle on the fact that he is an absolute monster on the football field regardless of his offensive position. Okwuegbunam had three touchdown catches in the first half against PND Saturday and frankly, watching the film, it almost didn’t seem fair. We all know the Cyclone star is headed for bigger things than high school level football but it’s sure fun to watch him while he’s here. Albert O is a huge reason why SHG is marching into the state quarterfinals yet again.
Kenny Hedges (Rochester Running Back) Rochester head coach Derek Leonard set the tone on Saturday by handing the ball to the “hedgehog” on the opening drive and he scored his first touchdown of the day less than a minute into the contest. Hedges would score twice more in the second quarter, one on a rush and another on a reception to give the Rockets a comfortable halftime advantage. Hedges would finish the day with over 170 yards on the ground as Rochester rolled into the 4A state quarterfinals.
Drew Points (Auburn Wide Receiver) He’s been on the Prime Time Performer list, as well as the Top Plays, more times than we can count this season but Points put himself on top of the Auburn record books Saturday, cementing his spot in Prime Time Performers this week. The combo of Drew Chance to Drew Points scored four different times on Saturday as the Trojans stomped Villa Grove 44-14 in the 2A second round. Points now owns Auburn records for catches in a season, receiving yards in a season and receiving yards in his career.
Blake Heimsness (Taylorville Quarterback) In order to win, you have to score. For Taylorville, all their points came from senior quarterback Blake Heimsness. With the nickname “Meat” the Tornado play caller made sure the purple and gold were eating on Saturday. Heimsness ran in two touchdowns, while finding Cole Owens and Shawn Hammers for two passing touchdowns in Taylorville’s 28-6 win over Herrin in round two of the 4A playoffs.
Aly Goff (Springfield Cross Country) The Senator cross country runner capped off her career with a seventh place finish in the state championships on Saturday. Goff finished with a time of 17:29, which also helped her Springfield High team to a 13th place finish overall.
Tyler Johnson (Pleasant Plains Cross Country) The Cardinal runner ran his final cross country race of his high school career Saturday in Peoria and left it all on the grass. Johnson came in seventh place in the 1A boys race with a time of 14:58 at Detweiller Park. A fantastic way to end what has been a stellar career at Pleasant Plains.
