Daily Herald Players of the Week
DUPAGE COUNTY
Offense
Mike McNulty, York
The 6-foot, 175-pound senior tailback scored 4 touchdowns with 147 yards rushing and 117 receiving in a 33-28 West Suburban Silver win over Hinsdale Central. McNulty scored on a 60-yard catch two plays into it, had touchdown runs of 29 and 21 yards, and scored the game-winner on a 53-yard catch.
Defense
Garrett Goebel, Montini
Handling double-teams and lead blockers plus a Notre Dame-bound lineman, the 6-foot-5, 270-pound senior was a load in Montini's 33-0 Suburban Catholic Conference win over Marian Central. At defensive end the Ohio State recruit made 10 tackles, 7 solos with 3 for loss, a sack and 2 quarterback hurries.
FOX VALLEY
Offense
Dan Hagberg, Burlington Central
Central's quarterback ran for an 87-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, but that was just the start of his huge day. The senior also scored on runs of 56, 30, 41, and 18 yards and finished with 264 yards rushing. The cherry on top was his 55-yard punt return for a touchdown, which tied teammate Jason Wagner's school record of 6 touchdowns in a game, set last season.
Defense
Moises Quiroga, St. Edward
This junior linebacker helped lead St. Edward to its first victory since 2004 by making a team-high 10 tackles, 4 of them solo, against St. Francis in a 28-26 overtime victory that halted the Green Wave's 26-game losing skid. Quiroga was among a group of tacklers who halted St. Francis 2-point conversion run in overtime to seal the victory.
LAKE COUNTY
Offense
Dan Morales, Stevenson
"D-Mo" provided the mo'. His sliding catch in the end zone with 5.7 seconds left capped the Patriots' 14-10 win over Lake Forest. Morales' 4-yard reception completed a 90-yard drive that started with 1:11 left. The senior caught 4 passes on the drive, including one on fourth down, and 7 total for 157 yards.
Defense
Aaron Montgomery, Warren
Don't try airin' it out around Aaron. The junior linebacker registered 3 sacks, including a pair on Mundelein's second series, and was around the football all night in the Blue Devils' 42-21 victory. He also had an interception and knocked away two other passes, helping Warren win its third game in a row.
NORTHWEST
Offense
Kevin Mitchell, Palatine
How much in control were the 6-foot-2, 283-pound Mitchell and the Palatine offensive line in a 35-7 Mid-Suburban West win over Barrington? The senior tackle was part of a group that paved the way for 474 yards of total offense with two 90-plus yard touchdown drives.
Defense
Danny Vargas, Wheeling
The junior linebacker helped Wheeling recover for one of its biggest wins in years as it rallied past Prospect 25-21 in the Mid-Suburban East. Vargas recovered 3 second-half fumbles, had a team-high 7 tackles and a sack in a comeback from a 21-6 deficit.
TRI-CITIES
Offense
Nic Higgins, St. Charles North
Higgins gave the St. Charles North offense a big boost in a must-win game at Larkin. Higgins ran for 195 yards and 3 touchdowns as the North Stars prevailed 28-13 to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Defense
Michael Friend, Aurora Christian
The senior defensive lineman was in the middle of two big goal-line stands in the Eagles' 30-15 victory over Walther Lutheran - the school's first win over the Broncos. Friend finished with 7 tackles, 4 solo tackles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass deflection for 7-0 Aurora Christian.