Schmit: Who had the area’s top prep football performances of Week 5?
As we vault past the midway point of the regular season in IHSA prep football, it’s become tougher to avoid repeat honorees with our weekly list of top performances.
But, not surprisingly, we have new teams and players stepping up every week. In this edition, we highlight a perennial playoff qualifier notching its first win against what’s been a brutal schedule thus far.
Let’s jump into the High Five with the area’s top performances of Week 5.
5. Conor McCarty, RB, Neuqua Valley
The senior accounted for 202 of the Wildcats’ 249 rushing yards in a 38-21 DuPage Valley Conference victory over rival Waubonsie Valley.
McCarty scored three touchdowns, the most important one coming early in the third quarter after Waubonsie Valley knotted the score at 21 apiece. He broke free for an 80-yard scoring run on the ensuing possession as the Wildcats seized the lead for good.
4. Jaylen McMiller, RB-DB, Glenbard West
The Hilltoppers notched a key win in the West Suburban Silver, knocking off Lyons Twp. 37-16 to hand the Lions their first loss of the season.
McMiller had six runs of at least 10 yards while rushing for 190 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 19 carries.
After Glenbard West scored to take a 23-9 lead, the Lions marched into the red zone while trying to stay in the game. McMiller dented hopes for a comeback by snagging an interception in the end zone and ending the threat. He had seven tackles in the game.
3. Giulian Santoyo, OL, Antioch
The Sequoits’ offense stayed white hot while piling up 70 points for a second straight week. The line powered it all on Friday in a 73-33 Northern Lake County win over Round Lake.
Santoyo, a senior center, was the literal heart of the effort up front as Antioch amassed 660 total yards. The Sequoits had 211 passing yards and 449 ground yards — three players rushed for more than 100 yards — while scoring on eight runs and two passes.
2. Damacio Ortegon, WR-DB, Montini
If it’s the Broncos against Carmel, it must be a wild one. A year after Montini won 55-54, the Broncos pulled it out again by beating the Corsairs 42-35 in Chicago Catholic League crossover play.
Ortegon had another huge game, hauling in 11 catches for 238 yards and all three of quarterback Israel Abrams’ touchdown passes. They went for 15, 33 and 45 yards, including the game-winner with under three minutes to play.
Ortegon, a senior, helped seal the victory with a fourth-quarter interception.
1. Vince Costa, RB-WR, Barrington
After losing to four teams with a combined 17-3 record, Barrington broke through for its first win of the season behind a four-touchdown effort from Costa.
The senior was all over the field scoring points in a 49-21 Mid-Suburban West win over Hoffman Estates. The Broncos burst to a 14-0 lead behind Costa’s scoring runs of three and 64 yards.
Near the end of the first half, Costa recovered a fumbled punt in the end zone for a 28-0 advantage. Then, at the start of the second half, Costa took a short pass and burst 75 yards for another touchdown.
Costa had four carries for 72 yards in addition to the touchdown grab.