Football: Week 9 MVPs
Introducing the Daily Herald’s high school football MVPs and runners-up for Week 9 of the regular season. The winners are Noel Gaspari of Batavia (offense) and James Sowa of Lake Park (defense).
Offensive MVPNoel Gaspari, Batavia: Directing Batavia to a 49-6 win over Upstate Eight Conference River Division foe Streamwood, the senior quarterback completed 13 of 16 passes for 296 yards and 5 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound three-year starter#146;s strikes of 34, 14, 6, 20 and 83 yards helped Batavia earn a 9-0 record for the first time in the program#146;s 100-year history.
Offensive runners-upJames Butler, Bartlett: This 5-foot-9, 175-pound running back did all his damage as a receiver and punt returner in a 59-0 victory over East Aurora. The sophomore returned 2 punts for touchdowns of 45 and 52 yards in the first half to help Bartlett clinch the outright title in the Valley Division of the Upstate Eight Conference. Butler also made 4 catches for 117 yards, highlighted by a 31-yard touchdown.
Sam Frasco, Prospect: Frasco made sure Prospect got the fifth win it needed to extend the program#146;s streak of playoff appearances to seven. The senior quarterback passed for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushed for 166 and 3 TDs in a 42-8 Mid-Suburban East win over Buffalo Grove.
Joe Lucca, York: The Dukes closed the regular season with a 41-27 West Suburban Silver win over Hinsdale Central, clinching an automatic berth into the Class 8A playoffs, led by the arm of their 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior quarterback. Lucca completed 13 of 21 passes for 306 yards and 5 touchdowns against 1 interception.
Zach Till, Lake Zurich: Till thrilled. The two-year starting quarterback and three-year varsity veteran scored a school-record 5 touchdowns, as the playoff-bound Bears zipped past Zion-Benton 41-3. Till scored on runs of 2, 16, 1, 4 and 3 runs. He rushed for 52 yards and threw for 110.
Defensive MVPJames Sowa, Lake Park: Needing a fifth win for playoff consideration, the Lancers got it with a big assist from this senior safety. In Lake Park#146;s 33-30 two-overtime win over Neuqua Valley, Sowa blocked a field goal and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown. In double-overtime his end zone interception secured the win. Sowa added a fumble recovery and 5 tackles.
Defensive runners-upSam Babick, Cary-Grove: This middle linebacker was a key reason the Trojans were able to control the vaunted running game of previously undefeated Prairie Ridge in Cary-Grove#146;s 22-21 overtime victory. Babick, who returned from injury two weeks ago, made critical tackles on the strong side and weak side to finish the game with a total of 10, 7 solo. He was also credited with a pass breakup.
Artie Checchin, Rolling Meadows: Checchin can catch #146;em no matter what side of the ball he is on. The senior had 2 interceptions, caught 5 passes for 80 yards and had 3 tackles as Rolling Meadows made the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years with a 13-0 Mid-Suburban East win over Hersey.
R.C. Cox, Carmel Catholic: He has game, like his dad did. The son of former Bears linebacker Ron Cox, the sophomore safety had quite a memorable varsity debut. Called up after an injury to J.C. Pawlak, Cox started and had 2 interceptions, helping the Corsairs beat Benet 42-7 and clinch a playoff berth.
Michael Moffatt, Batavia: It was a Week 9 sweep for the Bulldogs, who won an outright conference title for the first time since 2003. A sophomore cornerback, Moffatt hurt Streamwood with an interception and 70-yard return for a touchdown. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder also stymied the Sabres with a fumble recovery, 4 tackles and 2 pass knockdowns.