Football: Week 4 MVPs
Grayslake North senior running back Titus Booker and Batavia senior safety Nick Bernabei have earned Daily Herald MVP honors for their football performances in Week 4 of the high school football season.
Booker ran for 329 yards and 5 touchdown to help Grayslake North edge Normal West 50-43, while Bernabei had 14 solo tackles along with a sack and a fumble forced in the Bulldogs' 40-7 win against St. Charles East.
OFFENSE
Titus Booker, Grayslake North: Indiana University fans had to be smiling after hearing about Booker's performance against Normal Community West. The IU recruit rushed 35 times for 329 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 50-43 win. His final TD late in the fourth quarter was the game-winner.
Jawan Gaines, Fremd: The Fremd all-purpose senior had a night to remember as the Vikings' offense erupted in a 49-0 victory at Buffalo Grove. Gaines picked up 83 yards on the ground on just 3 carries and scored twice. He also caught 4 passes for another 102 yards and 2 more touchdowns.
Noah Polich, Streamwood: This returning all-Upstate Eight River receiver was all over the field in Streamwood's 27-21 victory at Larkin. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior made 10 catches for 187 yards, including touchdowns of 49 and 15 yards from quarterback Max Draper to put his team ahead 14-0. Polich carried the ball 5 times on jet sweeps for 23 yards and even punted 3 times to help the Sabres earn their first win of the season.
Matt Rahn, Aurora Central Catholic: The 6-foot, 165-pound senior, a would-be three-year starter were it not for injuries, accounted for 5 touchdowns, paced 508 yards of offense with two 95-yard drives in a 48-18 win over Guerin. Rahn passed for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns and added 33 yards rushing with 2 touchdowns.
Marquis Thomas, Westmont: The 5-foot-8, 155-pound sophomore receiver scooted near the state record for single-game receiving yardage in a 62-42 Interstate Eight Small Division win over Lisle. Thomas caught 8 passes for 332 yards, No. 3 on the IHSA list. Thomas caught 5 touchdown passes - of 90, 83, 70, 40 and 25 yards.
DEFENSE
Nick Bernabei, Batavia: The senior safety "was everywhere" in Batavia's 40-7 Upstate Eight River division win over St. Charles East, Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron said. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Bernabei, a two-year starter, made 17 tackles, 14 of them solo stops, with a sack. He also caused a fumble and broke up a pass.
Chase Bandolik, Hersey: The senior inside linebacker helped set the tone in the Huskies' 6-3 overtime win against by making plays all over the field. Bandolik finished with 9 tackles, 6 assisted tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 2 sacks - including one on third down in the OT to force a field goal attempt.
Brenden Heiss, Jacobs: This omnipresent linebacker is a key reason the Jacobs' defense has allowed only 6 points in eight quarters. The 6-1, 190-pound junior was all over the field in Friday's 42-6 win over Grayslake Central. His 10-tackle, 1-sack performance on defense included a first-quarter fumble recovery for a 19-yard touchdown. In his spare time, Heiss carried 5 times for 32 yards and a 2-yard touchdown.
Luke Marzano, Waubonsie Valley: The 5-foot-11, 205-pound senior linebacker helped contain Bartlett to 97 yards of offense in the Warriors' 49-7 Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division win. Marzano led Waubonsie Valley with 16 tackles, 14 of them solo stops. His bounty included 2 tackles for loss and also a quarterback sack.
Collin Psenka, Carmel Catholic: Psenka had a big say in the Corsairs' first shutout since the 2010 season. The senior cornerback rang up 9 solo tackles and 1 assisted stop in a 41-0 win over Marian Catholic. His tackle on fourth down from the 1 preserved the shutout.