January 04, 2025
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Friday Night Drive’s Team of the Week for Week 9 of the 2023 season

Meet the 22 IHSA football players in the Week 9 Team of the Week

By John Sahly
Crystal Lake Central’s fans get revved up in the second half against Burlington Central in varsity football at Crystal Lake Saturday. The Tigers won 25-10.

Crystal Lake Central’s fans get revved up in the second half against Burlington Central in varsity football at Crystal Lake. The Tigers won 25-10. (Patrick Kunzer for Shaw Local)

The Friday Night Drive Team of the Week for Week 9 of the 2023 season is here.

After 2,940 people voted, tallying 4,796 total votes, we are proud to announce the Team of the Week. Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Schweickert, Ganassin, Krzak, Rundio, LLP.

Team of the Week MVP: James Fier, Crystal Lake Central, DB

Team of the Week: Week 9, 2023

Quarterback

Juan Rico, Joliet West

16-of-28 passing, 240 yards, TD; 15 carries, 80 yards, 2 TDs in 35-12 win over Plainfield Central

George Dimopoulos, Crystal Lake Central

Normally a WR, stepped in for injured Jason Penza and was 9-for-21 passing for 121 yards and 2 TDs, 10 rushes for 58 yards as Tigers beat Hampshire in OT to make 6A playoffs.

Leo Slepski, Providence

9-for-14 passing, 192 yards, 3 TDs in 35-28 win over Benet

Running Back

Brandon Kiebles, Wheaton Academy

17 carries, 217 yards, 3 TDs, also 7 tackles at linebacker in win over Marian Central

Payton Quaintance, FCW

Cashed in scoring runs of 16, 10 and 2 yards during his 15-carry, 163-yard performance

Aiden Wiseman, Dixon

18 rushes, 220 yards, 3 TDs in win over North Boone

Receiver

Ian Willis, St. Francis

2 TD catches in win against Nazareth

Alex Ankiewicz, St. Bede

7 receptions, 160 yards, 3 TDs

Dom Coronado, Yorkville

7 catches, 68 yards in 13-10 win over Plainfield North

Offensive Line

Gabriel Jovanovich, Sycamore

The left tackle paved the way for the Sycamore ground attack against Morris, which racked up almost 250 yards and 2 TDs.

Jack May, Princeton

Took part in Princeton’s 54-0 win over rival Hall, scoring 5 TDs by rushing, 2 by passing

Defensive Line

KeShawn Wiley, Joliet West

2 sacks in 35-12 win over Plainfield Central

JC Hayes, Montini

Two-way lineman played basically every snap with four tackles, two sacks, blocked punt that set up TD

Lucas Austin, Sterling

11 tackles, 1.5 TFLs in 22-17 win over Moline

Linebacker

Micah McNair, Joliet West

Returned INT 45 yards for TD in 35-12 win over Plainfield Central

Casey Klicker, Seneca

10 total tackles, 6 solo, one-half sack, fumble recovery in 79-35 win over St. Bede

Carson Cooney, Oswego

7 tackles, 2 for loss, and INT in 16-0 win over Oswego East

Connor Mettille, Morris

5 solo tackles, 10 assists in 22-14 win over Sycamore

Defensive Back

James Fier, Crystal Lake Central

1 INT, blocked punt and returned it 25 yards for TD, crucial TFL on first play of OT in 27-24 win over Hampshire.

Dom Recchia, Yorkville

4 tackles defensively and also kicked two field goals, including game-winning 24-yarder as time expired

Brett Dieter, Wheaton Academy

2 interceptions, also caught a TD, in win over Marian Central

Jack Laughlin, Huntley

2 INT in Red Raiders’ territory in 20-10 win over Burlington Central to push Huntley to 8-1