Clutch plays, O-lines and more: Peoria high school football Week 6 top performers
The 2023 high school football season continued Friday with big scores and lots of blowouts across Peoria.
Each week, the Journal Star takes a look at the top-performing teams and players from weekend games in the Peoria area. Players from Morton, Farmington and Washington lead our list for Week 6.
Seandon Buffington, Morton
The running back continued his dominant season, kicking off another blowout victory for the Potters. He scored three touchdowns to open the scoring, including two of 50-plus yards, to lead Morton to a 57-0 victory over Limestone. The Potters are 6-0 and have secured a playoff berth.
Kainon McQueary, Washington
The senior running back ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries during a record-setting 72-8 victory over East Peoria. The prolific back was one of seven Panthers to score a touchdown and one of 10 overall to carry the ball. The Washington defense also forced four turnovers in helping the team set a single-game school record for points in a game. The previous best was 67 points, scored in a victory over Gridley in 1929.
Logan Carruthers, Princeville
The senior quarterback led the Princes (4-2) past South Fulton, 34-32. He was 12-for-26 passing with 247 yards, three touchdown passes and a rushing score. His top target was Jake Williams, who had seven catches for 145 yards and a TD. Tayshaun Keiser led the ruin game with 116 yards and a TD on 15 carries.
Lane Wheelright, Farmington
The Farmers quarterback made an incredible throw to Jack Gronewold to set up his own 17-yard keeper on fourth down on the way to a 26-8 victory over host Macomb. The 40-yard throw came with Farmington (6-0) leading 14-8 in the middle of the fourth quarter.
Week 6 coverage: Recap | All the scores | Takeaways
Nolan Orwig, Stark County
The running back scored a pair of touchdowns to help Stark County (6-0) to a 24-14 defeat of ROWVA/Williamsfield (5-1) in the matchup of unbeatens from the Lincoln Trail-Prairieland. Luke Rewerts scored the final TD for SC, which also got a clutch 22-yard field goal from Adrian Manzano to go ahead 17-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Ben Lapp, Eureka
The junior returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and sent the Hornets on their way to a 63-6 victory over rival Tremont. Lapp added a 51-yard rushing touchdown later in the game as Eureka (4-2) edged to within a victory of playoff qualification. Tanner Wiegand added three touchdowns for the Hornets.
Gabe Munoz, Dunlap
The Eagles senior had two return touchdowns to help Dunlap (6-0, 4-0) keep pace with Morton and Washington in the Mid-Illini Conference race. One of his returns was for 40 yards and another for 80 yards as Dunlap defeated Canton, 55-0.
Metamora offensive line
Ty Dykes, Boston Cox, Landon Cowper, Kaden Keefer and Alex Lehn combined to allow two running backs to top 100 yards in the Redbirds' 48-14 home win over Pekin. Junior Evan Keil finished with 24 carries for 160 yards and three TDs, while sophomore Jaiduan Cranford had 11 carries for 145 yards and three TDs.
Bo Windish, Elmwood/Brimfield
The running back gained 211 yards on 19 touches, but Elmwood (1-5) fell short in a 20-12 loss to Aledo Mercer County. Windish had 170 rushing yards on 17 carries and added a pair of receptions for 71 yards — including a 29-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter to cut it to a one-possession game.
Brent Denniston, Deer Creek-Mackinaw
The running back rushed for 100 yards on 21 carries and added a touchdown reception, but Dee-Mack fell short in a tough battle with state-ranked Downs Tri-Valley (6-0), No. 2 statewide in Class 2A. The Chiefs (2-4) have lost four in a row.
Kamren Schumacher, El Paso-Gridley
The Titans quarterback ran for 174 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 118 yards and another TD as EP-G (4-2) earned a 47-18 home victory over Colfax Ridgeview/Lexington.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA football 2023: Week 6 Illinois high school top performers
