Friday Night Drive’s Team of the Week for Week 9 of the 2024 season

The Friday Night Drive Team of the Week for Week 9 of the 2024 season is here.

After 2,542 people voted, tallying 3,846 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: Luke Jezyk, Montini, Offensive Lineman

Team of the Week: Week 9, 2024

Quarterback

Gino Ferrari, St. Bede

13-of-20 passing for 175 yards, 3 TDs; 45 yards rushing, 2 TDs in 38-28 win over Ottawa

Isaiah Weibel, Streator

17-of-40 passing for 261 yards, 2 TDs in loss at Wilmington

Braelan Creighton, Woodstock North

Entered in third quarter and led game-winning drive, scored 12-yard TD run in 8-7 win over Woodstock

Running Back

Robert Munaco, Lake Park

3 carries for 192 yards, 2 TDs, 62 receiving yards in 20-7 win over Wheaton North

Kayden Smith, Downers Grove South

14 carries, 90 yards, 2 TDs in 38-14 win against Addison Trail

Chris Miller, Lockport

Got first carries of season and ran for 290 yards and 5 TDs in Porters’ 36-32 victory over Homewood-Flossmoor

Receiver

Landon Zellers, La Salle-Peru

98 receiving yards, TD in 24-19 loss against O’Fallon

Parker Mandelky, Marengo

5 catches, 87 yards and a TD in 28-14 win over Sandwich

Phillip Gray, St. Bede

9 receptions for 86 yards, 2 TDs, recovered fumble on kickoff in 38-28 win over Ottawa

Offensive Line

Luke Jezyk, Montini

Anchored middle of line for Montini offense that gained 367 yards in 28-3 win against St. Laurence

Jaxon Kozak, St. Bede

Helped Bruins rack up 417 yards (242 rushing, 175 passing) in 38-28 win over Ottawa

Defensive Line

Nicky Castaldo, Montini

8 tackles, forced fumble in win over St. Laurence

Ethan Keicher, Sycamore

Cahokia couldn’t get much going on the ground aside from one big run, and Keicher was leading the charge on the defensive line with a tackle for loss.

Everett Flannery, Woodstock

6 tackles in 8-7 loss to Woodstock North

Linebacker

Grady Gillan, St. Bede

14 tackles, 2 tackles for loss in 38-28 win over Ottawa

Mateo Barrett, Montini

9 tackles, pass breakup in win over St. Laurence

Mikey Claycombe, Oswego

2 sacks, forced fumble in 23-7 win over Oswego East

Damarrion Belue, DeKalb

11 tackles (4 for loss), 2.5 sacks and a pass breakup in a 41-0 win over Stagg

Defensive Back

Isaac Alexander, Montini

2 INTs, pass breakup, 5 tackles against St. Laurence

Carter York, Sycamore

INT as part of Sycamore secondary that stymied usually potent Cahokia passing offense

Parker Auxier, Burlington Central

INT, 2 fumble recoveries in 31-7 win over Huntley

Josh Kahley, Batavia

11 tackles, one pass defended, forced fumble in 35-34 win over Glenbard North