Football: Lees, Majka earn Week 5 MVP honors

Libertyville senior quarterback Riley Lees and Batavia senior linebacker Zack Majka have earned Daily Herald MVP honors for their performances in Week 5 of the high school football season.

OFFENSE

Riley Lees, Libertyville: In the Wildcats' biggest game of the year, the senior quarterback played large. He busted off touchdowns runs of 80, 61 and 78 yards in the first half, as undefeated Libertyville rolled past defending Class 8A state champ Stevenson 35-7. The Northwestern recruit finished with 266 yards rushing and 4 TDs on 16 carries, while also passing for a score.

Luke Anthony, Wheaton North: The 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior quarterback engineered the Falcons' 23-21 come-from-behind DuPage Valley Conference win over Lake Park. Anthony completed 25 of 36 passes for 262 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Two touchdowns came after Wheaton North fell behind 14-10.

Anthony Binetti, Huntley: This 6-foot-1, 200-pound quarterback led the Red Raiders to their most significant victory since joining the Fox Valley Conference in 2003. The senior completed 13 of 19 passes for 251 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he rushed for a 15-yard score to lead Huntley to a 29-8 victory over defending FVC Valley champion and 2014 Class 7A runner-up Cary-Grove, marking Huntley's first win over the Trojans after 11 straight losses.

Jake Riportella, Maine West: The senior signal-caller was the model of efficiency as the Warriors got off to a winning start in CSL North play. He completed 11 of 13 passes for 192 yards and 2 TDs and also rushed for a pair of scores as Maine West rolled past Maine East 51-6.

DEFENSE

Zack Majka, Batavia: After Majka's team had taken a 21-14 lead at St. Charles North with 4:48 left in the first half, this weakside linebacker furthered Batavia's momentum by scooping up a fumble and returning it 9 yards for a touchdown. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior finished with 8 tackles (7 solo) including 2 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry to help the undefeated Bulldogs secure a 48-28 victory.

Connor Cloherty, Elk Grove: A junior linebacker, Cloherty typified a gritty team effort which led to an 21-20 overtime triumph at Buffalo Grove. He had 10 solo tackles and assisted on 3 others along with forcing a fumble and recovering another as the Grens picked up their first win.

Amiri Finner, Metea Valley: The all-conference safety actually excelled in all three phases of Metea's first win over Waubonsie Valley. The 6-foot, 178-pound senior made 13 tackles, 3 for loss, and broke up a pass. He scored Metea's first touchdown on a 15-yard end-around run, and the second on a 92-yard kickoff return in the 19-7 win.

Chick Smith, Vernon Hills: A defensive win? Check. A defensive standout? Chick. The junior was dominant from his middle linebacker position in helping the undefeated Cougars beat Antioch 21-6. In what head coach Bill Bellecomo called his team's best defensive effort of the season, Smith rang up 12 tackles, including two for loss, and also had a quarterback hurry.