Illinois high school football: Top standouts, best performances in Week 5
We're taking a look at some of the top standouts and best performers from Illinois high school football games in Week 5.
See: Illinois Week 1 standouts | Week 2 standouts | Week 3 standouts | Week 4 standouts
See: SBLive Illinois football scoreboard for updates and results
Isaac Ackerman, QB, Triad
Ackerman fueled a strong first half effort as the Knights defeated visiting Jerseyville 28-21. The junior quarterback completed 16 of 24 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for a team-high 37 yards.
Preston Baker, QB, Breese Central
Baker led the Cougars during a 35-point outburst in the first quarter against Wood River on Friday. The junior threw three first quarter touchdowns and helped lead Breese Central to a 49-0 non conference victory.
Dominik Ball, RB, Palatine
A senior committed to Tulane, Ball ran wild in the first half of Palatine’s 49-34 Mid-Suburban West victory over Hoffman Estates. He ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns before missing time in the second half.
Robert Battle, QB, East St. Louis
A senior, Battle led the Flyers' to a 54-13 victory over Southwestern Conference rival O’Fallon on Saturday. He threw for 144 yards and three touchdowns and also added a rushing score.
Troyer Carlson, QB, Kaneland
Carlson had an impressive performance in just one half of action during Kaneland’s dominant 49-14 victory over Ottawa. He finished 15 of 23 passing for 335 yards and four touchdowns.
Michael Champagne, QB, Glenbard South
Champagne did it all while leading Glenbard South and its high-powered offense to a 63-21 Upstate Eight victory over Bartlett. The senior threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores.
Jack Cook, QB, Naperville Central
Cook handled the scoring for Naperville Central during its 21-7 DuPage Valley Conference victory over Neuqua Valley. The senior showcased his dual-threat ability with two rushing touchdowns and a 65-yard touchdown pass.
Matt Crider, RB, Wheaton-Warrenville South
Crider did the heavy lifting for the Tigers during their 42-35 overtime loss to St. Charles North. The senior rushed for an impressive 293 yards and four touchdowns to keep his team in the game.
Dillon Fitzpatrick, RB, Barrington
Fitzpatrick handled all of the scoring in the Broncos' 13-7 victory over Fremd. The senior carried the ball 35 times for 220 yards and two touchdowns.
Jake Furtney, WR, St. Charles North
Furtney was the go-to-guy for the North Star offense on Friday. The senior caught a personal-best four touchdowns – including the game-winning touchdown catch from 12 yards out in overtime – as St. Charles North defeated Wheaton-Warrenville South 42-35.
Dierre Hill Jr, RB, Althoff
Although he was not in the game long on Friday night, Hill left his mark during Althoff's 42-0 win over Alton Marquette. The junior standout carried the ball twice in the first quarter and scored both times from 36 yards and 99 yards out.
Dennis Mandala, QB, IC Catholic Prep
Mandala played a key role in last year's 3A champion's victory over Marist, an 8A powerhouse. The senior completed 18 of his 30 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns as the Knights stunned Marist 28-21.
Nasir McKenzie, RB, Hersey
A senior, McKenzie helped Hersey continue its string of dominant wins in a 35-0 Mid Suburban League opening victory against Buffalo Grove. McKenzie rushed 24 times for 226 yards and two scores.
Ethan Plumb, QB, St. Charles North
Plumb was phenomenal during the North Stars' 42-35 DuKane Conference victory over Wheaton-Warrenville South in overtime. The junior completed 37 of 53 passes for 397 yards and five touchdowns and also ran for a score.
Deegan Prater, QB, Dupo
A sophomore second-year starter, Prater accounted for five touchdowns in a 44-38 loss to Carlyle. He threw for 240 yards and four scores (along with two interceptions) and ran for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Dakota Rakers, RB, Carlyle
Rakers had a monster all-around game in Carlyle's 44-38 win at Dupo. He ran for 189 yards and four touchdowns and added a 30-yard reception on offense and racked up eight tackles and an interception on defense.
TyVonn Ransom, RB, St. Francis
After falling behind by two scores to Joliet Catholic, Ransom broke out with a huge rushing performance. The junior finished with 157 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 1:15 left to play.
Jack Skoog, QB, Prospect
Skoog led the Knights offense during their 51-7 victory over Rolling Meadows on Friday. The junior threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a score.
Seneca Smith, RB, Thornton Fractional South
A senior, Smith’s performance on the ground against Bremen helped TF South earn their first win of the season. He rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Red Wolves to a 19-14 South Suburban-Blue Conference victory.
Joey Vanderwiel, QB, Prairie Ridge
Vanderwiel proved to be the difference maker during Prairie Ridge’s 21-20 Fox Valley Conference victory over rival Cary-Grove. The senior threw for 116 yards and ran for 38 yards and a touchdown, the game-winning score with 2:10 left to play.
Luke Williams, WR/DB, Naperville North
Williams made an impact on both sides of the ball during Naperville North’s 42-20 DuPage Valley Conference victory over DeKalb. The senior had 97 receiving yards and two touchdowns on offense and added an interception and several key pass break-ups on defense.
NOTE: To nominate a player for the top performances list, please email SBLive Regional Editor Nate Latsch at latsch@scorebooklive.com or via Twitter/X at @natelatsch.
For live updates and complete statewide results, bookmark our Illinois high school football scoreboard: STATEWIDE ILLINOIS FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
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