Schmit: Who had the area’s top prep football performances of Week 3?
This week’s edition of the High Five is getting defensive.
While our list of the area’s top prep football performances traditionally leans heavily on offensive stats, occasionally we get a week where individuals shine defensively.
Enter Week 3. Whether it was two-way play or just plain dominant “D,” most of this week’s honorees thrived on the side of the ball that doesn’t often get the glory.
With the regular season a third of the way finished — speaking of which, I wonder how many 3-0 teams already have qualified for the expanded playoffs — let’s look at the area’s top prep football performances of Week 3.
5. Joe Anchor, OL, Cary-Grove
It’s never a shock to see a Cary-Grove offensive lineman on this list. I think we’ve had one every season since the High Five debuted.
While the Trojans didn’t amass a ton of rushing yardage in their 32-20 Fox Valley Conference win over Burlington Central, at least by their standards, the offensive line paved the way.
Anchor, a senior tackle, graded out as the team’s top offensive lineman and recorded two pancake blocks as Cary-Grove rushed for 230 yards as a team. That included a balanced effort from running backs Ty Tenopir and Parker Auxier.
A key to victory came with the Trojans nursing a 25-20 fourth-quarter lead. They unleashed a 78-yard scoring drive with all running plays that consumed nearly seven minutes.
4. Adrian Stanek, RB-LB, Lake Zurich
Facing a 14-3 deficit, the Bears rallied behind their junior two-way standout and pulled out a 17-14 North Suburban Conference win over Stevenson. It was Lake Zurich’s first win of the young season.
In addition to carrying the ball 24 times for 99 yards, Stanek intercepted a pass with 2:55 left to preserve the victory.
3. Chris Riggs, DE-LB, Wheaton Warrenville South
Quarterback A.J. Rogers was spectacular while completing 17 of 25 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-7 DuKane Conference win over St. Charles East, but Riggs and the defense made the difference.
Riggs, a senior, notched three sacks among his six total tackles. He also had three quarterback hurries. One of his sacks came on an attempted fourth-down conversion.
2. Jake Brooks, LB, Naperville North
The Huskies focused on slowing explosive Barrington running back Lamar Oesterhues, but the defense also did a fine job against the pass.
Brooks intercepted three passes in a 21-7 nonconference victory. He also kicked off and punted for the Huskies, blasting a 54-yard punt during the game.
1. Riley Lennert, RB-LB, Hoffman Estates
The Hawks’ rugged junior grabbed the early lead for top performance of the season.
Lennert controlled both sides of the ball during Hoffman Estates’ 33-19 Mid-Suburban crossover win over Rolling Meadows. He made 14 tackles for a defensive group that forced four turnovers.
Lennert was a workhorse on offense, carrying the ball 21 times for 256 yards and touchdowns of 69 and 60 yards.