Friday Night Drive’s Team of the Week for Week 1 of the 2024 season

The Friday Night Drive Team of the Week for Week 1 of the 2024 season is here.

After 4,473 people voted, tallying 6,799 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: Adam Cooke, QB, Harvard

Team of the Week: Week 1, 2024

Quarterback

Adam Cooke, Harvard

4 TDs (3 rushing, 1 passing) in 42-7 win over Lisle (ended 20-game losing streak)

Nathan Kleba, Genoa-Kingston

3 TD pass for normally run-heavy Cogs team in 41-22 win over Leo

Luca Carbonaro, Wheaton Warrenville South

13-for-22 passing for 150 yards, 2 rushing TDs in win over Glenbard South

Running Back

Brett Centnarowicz, Johnsburg

174 rushing yards, 80 receiving with 2 TDs in 41-21 win over Wilmot (Wisconsin)

Owen Yorke, Wheaton Warrenville South

22 carries for 208 yards, 3 TDs, 3 catches for 27 yards in 35-10 win over Glenbard South

Josh McKendry, Amboy

8 carries for 129 yards, 3 TDs in 36-8 win over Ridgewood

Receiver

Jake Cestone, Nazareth

5 catches for 95 yards, game-winning 46-yard TD catch in 37-30 win over Kankakee

Wyatt Fleck, Huntley

3 catches for 102 yards and 2 TDs (40 and 26 yards) in 35-7 win over Crystal Lake Central

Sheko Gjokaj, St. Charles East

9 catches for 165 yards, 2 TDs in 56-40 loss to Lincoln-Way Central

Offensive Line

Luke Gebhardt, Streator

Junior center led way for Bulldogs’ 255 rushing yards (7.3 yards per carry), added tackle for loss on defense in 20-12 win over Decatur Eisenhower

Rory Masse, Wheaton Warrenville South

Graded out to 92% and did not allow a sack in over 24 pass attempts; led rushing attack that gained over 255 yards in win over Glenbard South

Defensive Line

Ian Campbell, Joliet Catholic

2.5 sacks and forced fumble in Hilltoppers’ 50-22 win over Iowa City

Travis Dudycha, Huntley

2 sacks in victory over Crystal Lake Central

Justin O’Neal, DeKalb

6 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and pass deflection in 35-28 loss to Sycamore

Linebacker

Kolten Schimandle, Plano

6 tackles, 2 sacks for defense that held Ottawa to 66 rushing yards on 30 tries in 17-14 win

Caden O’Donnell, Sycamore

Interception against DeKalb helped Spartans rally from 14 down in fourth; 8.5 tackles, 3 pass breakups

Ostin Hansen, Cary-Grove

Interception on Burlington Central’s first play from scrimmage led to TD in 27-3 win

Evan Gaughan, York

15 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack in 28-10 win over Glenbrook South

Defensive Back

Dane Turner, Geneva

Forced fumble, interception, 3 pass breakups in 63-0 win over Larkin

Zac Beitler, Joliet Catholic

Pick-six, tackle for loss in win over Iowa City

Carter York, Sycamore

Interception, 6 tackles, pass breakup, plus 107 receiving yards on five catches in win over DeKalb

Logan Ruddy, FCW

Game-clinching interception, also ran for 2 TDs in 36-22 win over West Prairie/Southeastern