January 18, 2025
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Friday Night Drive’s Team of the Week for Round 1 of the 2022 playoffs

By Shaw Local News Network
Johnsburg's Jake Metze runs for a touchdown after catching a pass during a Kishwaukee River Conference football game Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, between Richmond-Burton and Johnsburg at Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond.

Johnsburg's Jake Metze runs for a touchdown after catching a pass during a Kishwaukee River Conference football game between Richmond-Burton and Johnsburg at Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond. (Gregory Shaver — gshaver@shawmedia.com/Gregory Shaver for Shaw Media )

The Friday Night Drive Team of the Week for Round 1 of the 2022 playoffs is here.

After 2,634 people voted, tallying 4,595 total votes, we are proud to announce the Team of the Week. Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Schweickert, Ganassin, Krzak, Rundio, LLP. Thank you also to our supporting sponsors: St. Margaret’s Health and The Rock and Soul.

Team of the Week MVP: Jake Metze, Johnsburg, WR

Team of the Week

Quarterback (Tie for 3rd)

Korey Tai, Glenbard West

7-for-8 passing, 164 yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD in 38-7 win over Lockport

Ryan Jackson, Lyons Township

2 TD passes, key pooch punt late that set up safety in win over Naperville Central

Eli Meier, Sycamore

35-yard TD run, passed for 163 yards and 2 TDs in 54-13 win against Westinghouse

Tyler Vasey, Prairie Ridge

24 carries, 392 yards (ties Class 6A playoff game record), 6 TDs, plus passing TD in 63-55 win over Crystal Lake South

Running Back

Jake Melion, York

128 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Braden Ellis, Seneca

Rushed 8 times for 112 yards and TD, added key interception in 48-20 win over Winnebago

Nate Van Witzenburg, Crystal Lake South

25 carries, 213 yards, 3 TDs in loss to Prairie Ridge

Receiver

Jake Metze, Johnsburg

6 carries for 80 yards, 2 TDs; 5 receptions for 187 yards, 2 TDs in 54-6 win over Hyde Park

Kivlin Van Tassel, Joliet Catholic

3 catches, 82 yards, 3 TDs in 43-6 win over Phillips

Luke Mailander, York

7 catches, 123 yards, TD

Offensive Line

Owen Bohene, Genoa-Kingston

One of the blockers for a team that racked up 222 yards on the ground

Evan Robinson, Richmond-Burton

Two pancake blocks and graded at 90% in 49-0 victory over Ridgewood

Defensive Line

Connor Grimm, Genoa-Kingston

2 tackles for loss and a number of other big hits in 16-8 win over Elmwood-Brimfield

Kaden Ladas, Sycamore

Interception on defense and TD catch on offense

Jeremy Johnson, Joliet Catholic

3 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery in 43-6 win over Richards

Linebacker

Max Lavender, Genoa-Kingston

Tackle for loss on key fourth-down play in fourth quarter, plus ran for 47 yards and a TD.

Dawson Trebolo, Kaneland

Punt block, led defense that held Riverside-Brookfield to 14 points

Luke Rendtorff, Richmond-Burton

4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks in victory over Ridgewood

Blake Kersting, Yorkville

58-yard INT return for TD, fumble recovery

Defensive Back

Criede Skubic, Coal City

2 INTs, 2 passes broken up in 22-6 win over East Alton-Wood River

Zack Clark, St. Rita

Two INTs, one returned 63 yards for TD

Ethan Tierney, DeKalb

At least 6 tackles in 21-13 loss at Moline; most were open-field tackles that prevented longer runs

Logan Harlow, Prairie Ridge

Key INT in fourth quarter that allowed Wolves to take lead in victory over Crystal Lake South