Top five prep football performances from Week 1
The High Five is shifting gears for prep football season.
From now through the end of the season, this space will be dedicated to five of the top performances from the previous week’s high school games.
The goal is to highlight a variety of different players from across our coverage area. However, as you’ll see below, there’s going to be some repeat appearances during the long season.
If you have suggestions for candidates, feel free to drop me a line at kschmit@dailyherald.com. It’s easy to notice the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers, but another goal is to highlight the unsung positions like the linemen and defensive standouts.
5. Johnny O’Brien, QB, Fremd
A junior already committed to Northwestern, O’Brien brought a high-flying offensive identity to the Vikings in their impressive 31-0 win over Lake Zurich.
O’Brien completed 25 of 38 passes for 259 yards and touchdown passes of 14, 33 and 1 yards. He also rushed for 36 yards.
Fremd’s coaching staff showed its faith in the passing game by calling 14 straight pass plays to start the game. Receiver Marquan Brewster had 7 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.
4. Chase Osborne, DB, Batavia
In one of the premier games of the weekend, Osborne rose to the occasion.
There were plenty of defensive highlights in the Bulldogs’ 35-28 win over Glenbard West — including two sacks and a fumble return for a touchdown by lineman Xavier Blanquel, and two more sacks from Jake Feller — but Osborne was simply everywhere on Saturday.
The senior notched 17 tackles including 13 solos while trying to slow that vaunted Hilltoppers ground game. The safety added an interception and forced a fumble.
3. Jacob Bell, QB, Naperville North
Spreading the wealth to seven different receivers, Bell was in complete control of the offense during Friday’s 42-14 win over New Trier.
The senior completed 18 of 27 passes for 270 yards and 4 touchdowns. Two went to Quinn Morris, a third to Brock Pettaway and another to Chico Thomas.
Bell rushed for only 15 yards, but one of his five carries went for a fifth touchdown.
2. Ethan Plumb, QB, St. Charles North
Ice water in those veins.
Plumb guided a 99-yard touchdown drive with under two minutes to play to vault the North Stars to Friday’s stunning 28-27 victory over Palatine. After Plumb’s 20-yard scoring pass to Keaton Reinke with 10.1 seconds to play made it 27-26, his 2-point pass to Braden Harms gave St. Charles North the win.
Plumb completed 19 of 24 passes for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns, and rushed for 35 yards and another touchdown. Reinke had 10 catches for 150 yards and all three scoring receptions from the senior quarterback.
1. Aaron Stewart, RB, Warren
Now, about that no repeat goal. You just get the feeling Stewart will be back on this list … probably several times this season.
It’s hard to ignore the numbers he put up in the opener, an impressive 55-26 win over Hersey. The junior rushed for 363 yards on 30 carries, including touchdown runs of 32, 60, 11, 3 and 8 yards.
In his game story, Daily Herald correspondent Marty Maciaszek noted the fine play of offensive linemen Matt Vasquez, Nate Duarte, Victor Drake, Jordan Ellis and Max Saucedo.
Stewart capped the weekend by taking a college visit — for wrestling — to Oklahoma State University.