Football MVPs: Mettetal, George earn Week 1 honors
St. Charles North senior quarterback Zach Mettetal and Grayslake North sophomore safety Adam George have earned the Daily Herald's MVP awards for their performances in Week 1 of the high school football season.
OFFENSE
Zach Mettetal, St. Charles North: Ticketed to pitch for the Memphis baseball team next year, this quarterback threw the football equivalent of a near-perfect game in a 42-10 season-opening win at Schaumburg. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior completed 21 of 24 passes (87.5 percent) for 421 yards and 5 touchdowns to lead the North Stars in a romp. Mettetal was particularly devastating in the second quarter, when he threw for 226 yards and 3 touchdowns on 11-of-12 passing.
Luke Cegles, Naperville North: The Huskies' unveiled their new lightning offense with great success in a 42-14 win over Sandburg. Cegles, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior quarterback, completed 15 of 18 passes for 254 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. Three touchdowns came in the second half as the Huskies pulled away from a 21-14 halftime lead.
Brandon Lind, Antioch: The athletic running back missed his entire junior season with a knee injury. He showed in the Sequoits' season opener that he's more than healthy. Lind rushed 20 times for 103 yards and scored 6 touchdowns in a 59-33 win over Kenosha Tremper. He also had a 66-yard reception.
Andrew Shafis, Prospect: The senior quarterback made his varsity debut at that position a winner as Prospect pulled out a 20-16 victory over visiting Hinsdale South in a nonconference matchup. Shafis finished with 100 yards rushing and 2 TDs, including the go-ahead touchdown on a 9-yard run with 3:35 left.
DEFENSE
Adam George, Grayslake North: Knights coach Steve Wood showed complete confidence in the sophomore by starting him at free safety in the team's season opener. George didn't disappoint in his varsity debut, coming up with 3 first-half interceptions. He returned one for a touchdown, as the Knights beat Willowbrook 27-12.
Kevin Haltman, Rolling Meadows: The senior linebacker was a one-man gang in Meadows' 30-7 road victory over St. Viator. He finished with a total of 15 tackles, with 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles and a safety along with scoring a touchdown.
Chris Johnson, IC Catholic Prep: The 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior linebacker ran all over the field to contain Bishop McNamara in IC Catholic's 34-0 victory over the defending Class 3A champion and preseason No. 1 team in 3A. At strong-side inside linebacker as well as on special teams, Johnson made 16 tackles, 3 for loss, in his first start for the Knights.
Lere Oladipo, Huntley: One day after he chose Illinois from a list of 22 Division-I schools that offered him scholarships, this 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end showed Illini nation just what they're getting. The senior notched back-to-back sacks of Jacobs' Bowling Green-bound quarterback Chris Katrenick to set the tone early in Huntley's 35-0 Fox Valley Conference road win. Oladipo paced the Red Raiders with 3 solo tackles, 3 assists, 2 tackles for loss and 4 quarterback knockdowns to go with his 2 sacks.