Who had the area’s top prep football performances in Week 12?
Thirteen weeks into the season, and only five area football teams remain in the IHSA state semifinals.
That means five teams with a boatload of great quarterfinal performances.
This edition of the High Five again honors the best of the best while looking at the top efforts from last weekend’s victorious teams.
5. Santino Tenuta, LB, Montini
The defense paved the way as the Broncos blanked Coal City 35-0 in Class 4A to move closer to another state title.
Tenuta, a senior, led an effort that also featured defensive lineman Johnny Louise and defensive back Laddie Asay. Tenuta notched a team-high 13 tackles including three for loss and a pair of sacks.
Top-seeded Montini (12-0) plays No. 2 Morris (11-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Lombard.
4. Johnny O’Brien, QB, Fremd
Thanks to their latest offensive explosion, the Vikings are headed to the 8A semifinals for the first time in program history after Saturday’s 34-33 win over Bolingbrook.
It’s no surprise their Northwestern-bound quarterback was the key. The senior completed 22 of 42 passes for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Marquan Brewster, Ben Riddle and Carter MacDonald combined for 17 catches and 237 receiving yards.
O’Brien also led the Vikings with 74 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Fourth-seeded Fremd (11-1) now has the tall task of facing No. 1 Mt. Carmel (12-0) at 5 p.m. Saturday in Chicago.
3. Andrew Culotta, DB, Batavia
The Bulldogs needed a stop in Saturday’s 7A game against Glenbard North, and Culotta provided it with a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 42-27 victory.
The senior also had 6 tackles including 4 solos. Culotta recovered a fumble on a punt and also an came up with the ball on an onside kick.
With a sixth trip to the state title game on the line, No. 13 Batavia (10-2) plays No. 25 St. Rita (8-4) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Chicago.
2. Owen Lansu, QB, Downers Grove North
The Trojans remain on a roll since the return from injury of their Minnesota-bound quarterback.
Lansu shined again in a 28-10 win over Lincoln-Way West as Downers North tries to return to the 7A final for the second time in three years. The senior completed 18 of 22 passes for 260 yards and touchdowns of 40 and 14 yards.
Lansu also set up his 6-yard touchdown run with a 50-yard pass to Max Troha.
Fifteenth-seeded Downers North (10-2) plays No. 6 Brother Rice (11-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday in Chicago.
1. Tanner Glock, St. Francis
The senior defensive back and wide receiver was a game-changer on both sides of the ball in a 44-14 win over King in 5A.
Glock gave the Spartans an early two-touchdown lead with a 43-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery return, one of four turnovers forced by St. Francis. Glock had 5 tackles on defense while carrying the ball four times for 17 yards and grabbing 5 catches for 63 yards and a 5-yard touchdown.
Ninth-seeded St. Francis (9-3) plays at No. 2 Belvidere North (12-0) at 4 p.m. Saturday.