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.
Lucas Western (Pleasant Plains Running Back) Six touchdowns in a playoff game. Some running backs would be happy to score six touchdowns in a season and others would be happy to score one touchdown in a playoff game. Western ran right through the school record books on Saturday night with five rushing scores and a punt return touchdown to power the Cardinals offense into the second round of the 3A playoffs.
Deyon Jackson (MacArthur Quarterback) Lucas Western wasn’t the only one responsible for six touchdowns in Round One. In the 5A playoffs in Decatur, Deyon Jackson threw for two scores and ran for four more against Morton. The junior quarterback threw for 238 yards and ran for 96 more to power the Generals into the second round.
Ian Benner (Maroa-Forsyth Quarterback) Josh Jostes talked about letting Ian Benner loose in the playoffs and the junior quarterback certainly made a statement in round one. Benner threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 140 yards and one touchdown on just five carries against Routt.
Dalton DiGiovanna (Athens Running Back) Athens head coach Ryan Knox said he thought Eldorado was trying to take away Nic Laird for the Warriors. That in itself is hard to do, but the point is, Athens had Dalton DiGiovanna step up and score twice while carrying the ball 21 times for 111 yards in Round One.
Damon Coady (Williamsville Quarterback) Welcome back Damon! The senior quarterback got the nod against DuQuoin on Saturday and made the most of his first game back from injury. Coady threw a touchdown pass and ran for three more to help the Bullets blast into the second round of the 3A playoffs.
Cade Holloway (SHG Wide Receiver) Matt Brenneisen called him the sneakiest player on the team. Ken Leonard said he came up huge in all aspects of the game. Cade Holloway caught a touchdown pass, kicked a couple field goals, played great defense and was huge in the kicking game against Quincy.
David Yoggerst (Rochester Running Back) In the first 16 minutes of game time, David Yoggerst found the end zone three times for Rochester. We know the Rockets can score fast and that’s what they did against Breese Central in Round One. Yoggerst had 85 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards, scoring once with the rush and twice with the catch against the Cougars. Shoutout to that offensive line made up of Camden Ramsey, Connor Butler, Q Boxman, Connor Sweeney and Chris Koerwitz who helped the Rockets rack up 307 yards total on the ground.
Austin Schiff (Glenwood Running Back) Everyone knows the Titans offense is powered by junior quarterback Luke Lehnen but Austin Schiff chipped in 83 yards on the ground and a score against Lemont. In order to make a run in the 6A playoffs, the Titans are going to need all hands on deck offensively, so Schiff is a huge key in making a deep run.
Max Thuma (Springfield High Soccer) You might be surprised to see Max Thuma with the nomination when Wolf Brethorst scored the game winner to capture the sectional championship. Thuma not only scored both goals in the semifinal against Mattoon but he also assisted on both Brethorst goals in the title game. Maybe if Thuma wins the vote, he’ll share the prize with Wolf.
Justin Wright (Taylorville Wide Receiver) All state wide receiver Justin Wright was getting it done on the both sides of the ball in Round One. Wright caught two touchdown passes from Brandon Odam and another one from IVC’s quarterback. Wright had a 93 yard pick six on defense as well to help Taylorville truck the Grey Ghosts and move to 10-0.
Skylar Hayes (Mt. Pulaski Volleyball) Usually she’s on this list every week in the winter for what she does on the basketball court. But Mt Pulaski girls basketball is going to have to wait for Skylar Hayes to show up to practice this week as the Hilltoppers are looking to keep their playoff run alive in 1A. Hayes had 14 kills and 12 digs against Pawnee to help the Hilltoppers win their 33rd regional championship.
Annie Burns (New Berlin Volleyball) How about those Pretzels?! Regional volleyball champions for the sixth time in school history. For the first time, the Pretzels captured a 2A regional volleyball title and it was Annie Burns who led the way for New Berlin with 13 assists and 12 digs against the Trojans.
