Little Illini Top Player Performances of the Week
Congratulations to this week's top players! We're covering the best performances across Friday and Saturday's football action (using all statistics entered as of the time of writing). Enjoy!
Gavyn Cothern Turns in Season-Best Effort
On Friday, Richland County got the W thanks in part to Gavyn Cothern playing the best football he has all season. Cothern rushed for 254 yards and five touchdowns while picking up 10.6 yards per carry, and also threw for 79 yards and a touchdown on only six passes.
The win for Richland County keeps them at an undefeated 7-0. Cothern and Richland County will look to defend their home field on Friday against Casey-Westfield at 7:00 p.m.
Gamescore: 83.12
Lucca Giannavola Has Career-Day on Friday
Lucca Giannavola produced his most outstanding game to date while leading Marshall to the win on Friday. Giannavola rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns while picking up 8.7 yards per carry, good enough to set a new career-high in rushing yards in the process. He also put in work on the defensive side of the ball, picking up a sack and making ten total tackles.
Lawrenceville's probably not too fond of Giannavola given he always seems to get the better of them. Back in October of 2023 (the last time Giannavola saw the Indians), he rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown while picking up 7.1 yards per carry.
Gamescore: 56.10
Knoblett Posts Huge Game in 35-28 Win
Robinson picked up their third consecutive win on Friday thanks in part to Aj Knoblett. Knoblett was unstoppable, picking up 160 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He continues to roll, besting his previous point total in each of the last four games he's played.
Knoblett and Robinson will venture away from home to take on Paris at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Maroons had to take a loss when they last met the Tigers, but Knoblett had little to do with the loss: he picked up 61 receiving yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for 62 yards. Can he match (or beat) that performance?
Gamescore: 46.55
A Season-Best Performance from Ryan Richards Leads Casey-Westfield over Mt. Carmel
On Saturday, Casey-Westfield got the W thanks in part to Ryan Richards playing the best football he has all season. Richards picked up 211 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He torched the secondary when he pulled down a catch that went for 84 yards.
Richards and Casey-Westfield will square off against Richland County at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Richards will face off against Dirks Weiler, the Tigers' star pass catcher. The only thing left to do is find out who's the greater deep ball threat. You'll have to watch the game to know for sure.
Gamescore: 38.68
Other Notable Players
- Nolan Clement: 286 yards passing; 34 yards rushing (Gamescore: 38.27)
- Luke Karras: 77 yards rushing, 2 TDs (Gamescore: 37.25)
- Ian Pianfetti: 70 yards receiving, 1 TD ; 43 yards rushing (Gamescore: 30.05)
- Reese Johnson: 280 yards passing; 40 yards rushing (Gamescore: 29.37)
- Dom Huisinga: 38 yards rushing, 2 TDs (Gamescore: 17.55)
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps